LARGE FLOWERED MAGNOLIA. 
5 
In ornamental planting the magnolias are extremely important, both for 
their variety and great beauty ; an assemblage of all the species that will 
grow in a given climate should by no means be omitted. 
The seeds of the different kinds of magnolia should be sown immedi- 
ately after being ripe, or be preserved in damp sand or earth till March, for if 
kept dry till that time, very few, if any, will vegetate till a year or two fol- 
lowing. They may also be propagated by layers and suckers, and by in- 
arching, budding, and grafting upon one another.] 
LARGE FLOWERED MAGNOLIA, 
OR 
BIG LAUREL. 
Magnoliaceæ. Juss. Polyandria polygynia. Linn. 
Magnolia grandiflora. M. foliis perennantïbus, ovalibus, rigidè crassèque cori- 
aceis; pistillis lanatis, petalis dilatato-ovalibus, abruptèin unguem angustatis. 
Of all the trees of North America, east of the Mississippi, the Big Lau- 
rel is the most remarkable for the majesty of its form, the magnificence of 
its foliage, and the beauty of its flowers. It is first seen in the lower part 
of North Carolina, near the river Nuse, in the latitude of 35° 31'; pro- 
ceeding from this point, it is found in the maritime parts of the Southern 
States and of the Floridas, and as far up the Mississippi as Natchez, 300 
miles above New Orleans ; which embraces an extent of 2,000 miles. 
At Charleston, S. C., and in its vicinity, this tree is commonly called 
Large Magnolia ; but it is more generally known in the country by the name 
of Big Laurel ; the French of Louisiana call it Laurier Tulipier. 
The Large-flowered magnolia claims a place among the largest trees of 
the United States. It sometimes, though rarely, reaches 90 feet in height, 
and 2 or 3 feet in diameter ; but its ordinary stature is from 60 to 70 feet. 
Its trunk is commonly straight, and its summit nearly in the shape of a re- 
gular pyramid. Its leaves are entire, oval, sometimes acuminate and some- 
times obtuse at the summit, 6 or 8 inches long, and borne by short petioles. 
Vol. IL— 2 
