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LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
is taken, which is so highly prized by the cabinet-makers 
and the sap, which flows in abundance from holes bored in 
the stem of the tree early in March, produces the well- 
known maple sugar. This can be clarified, so as to equal 
that of the cane in flavor and appearance ; and it has been 
demonstrated that the planting of maple orchards, for the 
production of sugar, would be a profitable investment .* 
The Scarlet-flowering maple (A. rubrum) is found 
chiefly on the borders of rivers, or in swamps ; the latter 
place appears best suited to this tree, for it there often 
attains a very large size : it is frequently called the Soft 
maple or Swamp maple. The blossoms come out about 
the middle of April while the branches are yet bare of 
leaves, and their numerous little pendulous stamens appear 
like small tufts of scarlet or purple threads. The leaves 
somewhat resemble those of the Sugar maple, but are 
rather smaller, and only three or four lobed, glaucous or 
whitish underneath, and irregularly toothed on the margin. 
This tree may easily be distinguished when young from the 
former, by the bark of the trunk, which is grey, with large 
whitish spots. Its trunk, in the choicest parts, furnishes the 
beautiful wood known as the curled maple. 
The White or Silver-leaved maple. (A. eriocarpum.) 
This species somewhat resembles the Scarlet-flowering 
maple. West of the Alleghany mountains it is seen in 
perfection, and is well known as the White maple. Its 
flowers are pale ; the leaves are divided into four lobes, 
and have a beautiful white under surface. Michaux, 
speaking of this tree, says: “In no part of the United 
* A. nigrum is a variety omitted by Mr. Downing, though quite well known 
at the time he wrote. It differs from A. saccharinum , in having much larger 
leaves, and the bark of a darker color ; besides which, the sap is more abund- 
ant, and much sweeter, and is considered at the West much the finer tree of 
the two.— tl. W. S. 
