DECIDUOUS TREES. 
367 
valuable additions to our small trees. We believe that by crossing 
the species still further, very interesting hybrids and varieties may 
be produced. 
The cucumber magnolia being the strongest and hardiest spe- 
cies, is used as a stock upon which 
* * “to graft the gentler graces ” 
of more delicate and beautiful sorts. Prof. J. P. Kirtland, of 
Cleveland, Ohio, whose very intelligent experience and success in 
growing fine magnolias near their most northerly line, entitles his 
opinion to great weight, insists that all the magnolias, which will 
grow in the northern States at all, should be grafted or budded on 
the acuminata stock. He says : “ Employed for this purpose, it 
imparts vigor to the weak, hardiness to the more tender, and by its 
profuse supply of sap forces them into abnormal production of 
flowers, improved in size and perfection, as well as numbers.” He 
describes the effect of grafting the swamp magnolia (glauca ) — 
which is but a large shrub on its own roots — on a seedling acumi- 
nata. The glauca grafted on the latter had become a broad, fine 
tree, twenty-one feet high, while the former, from which the bud 
was taken, in the same soil, and of the same age, was “ an old and 
decrepit shrub, unworthy of attention.” ^ While the Professor’s 
advice is of great value, it indicates but one of many precautions 
which must be taken in the northern States to succeed in growing 
fine specimens of magnolias j for, unless we can have them luxuri- 
antly healthy, it is not well to have our grounds encumbered with 
them. A thrifty hickory is better than a scrawny magnolia ; and 
other blossoms, on healthy trees, will more than compensate for the 
absence of flowers that grow on a tree which shows by its whole air 
that it is pining for a more genial home. Those who will grow fine 
magnolia trees north of Philadelphia must see to it that all the 
conditions necessary to their health and growth are complied with. 
One of these conditions, which will apply to all the magnolias, is 
that they be planted where they will be protected from high winds, 
especially north and west winds ; for which purpose plantations of 
* American Journal of Horticulture, March, 1867. 
