DECIDUOUS TREES. 
343 
those who are curious in the species and varieties might graft them 
in the upper branches of old trees, or young trees might be headed 
down and one kind grafted on each,” 
THE MAPLE. Acer. 
The universal popularity of the maples is a marked proof of 
their great merits. Among the very earliest to expand into full 
leaf in the spring, unsurpassed in profusion of foliage and depth 
of shade in summer, glowing with brilliant colors in autumn, 
and finally dropping their leaves clean and dry to spangle the 
lawn with the bright colors of a painter’s palette — surely no other 
family of trees can boast a greater array of merits. Add to these 
that it is a healthy family, subject to fewer diseases ojr noxious in- 
sects than most others, that the different species are adapted to 
nearly all soils, and are mostly of that moderate size and compact 
form that renders them more appropriate than trees of grosser 
growth to be placed in cultivated small grounds, and the fact of 
their great popularity is fully accounted for. As to their faults, 
excepting only their too great uniformity of outline, we confess 
having failed to discover any. The following species and varieties, 
however, have many marked differences, some of them being much 
less valuable than others. At the risk of too frequent repetition, 
we will here again call attention to the fact, that persons having a 
collection of native maples on their grounds, whether of one or more 
species, may obtain a great variety of maple foliage in a short time 
by grafting the rarer or more curious varieties upon them. 
The Sugar Maple. Acer saccharmum . — ^We begin with this 
favorite indigenous species, because we believe it, all things con- 
sidered, the most valuable ornamental tree of all the maples. It 
is, happily, too well known and appreciated in this country to need 
have attention called to its beauties. Its form at maturity, when 
grown in open ground, is ovate, rather higher than its breadth, and 
remarkable for its compactness and the profuse growth of leaves 
in all parts of its head. Its lights and shadows are peculiar, being 
