THE MANUAL OP GARDENING. 63 
few years planted, already affords entire protection against 
cattle. 
Magnolia. — This genus derives its name from Pierre Magnol, 
prefect of the Botanic Garden, at Montpelier. There are many 
species, of which those indigenuous to this country are most 
remarkable. The M. conspicua , or chandelier, in allusion to its 
mode of inflorescence, is a native of Japan ; and is as hardy as the 
hardiest of our trees. Its blossoms are yielded in profusion, and 
among the earliest flowers of the spring : the growth is free, and 
when engrafted on the acuminata , attains a large size. The 
largest specimen it is supposed in the United States, is at the 
Landreth nurseries. It is now, 1844, twenty-five feet high, and 
annually produces many thousands of its creamy-white flowers. 
At those grounds, and also at Bartram’s, may be seen the finest 
specimens of the native sorts, to be found in this quarter; among 
them the cordata, or heart-shaped leaved, auriculata, macrophylla , 
tripetala , acuminata , and grandiflora ; the latter is figured in the 
Floral Magazine , from which the following is extracted. 
“ Vast as is the range, and numerous the variety in the forests 
of the United States, perhaps no single tree surpasses the Mag- 
nolia Grandiflora of the south. Mr. Nuttall, (“ Genera of 
North American Plants ,”) styles it “ the most magnificent tree 
of the southern states, whose trunk often presents a living column 
of eighty or ninety feet elevation, almost unobstructed by 
branches, and terminated by a spreading top of the deepest 
perennial verdure.” The leaves of this “ Prince of the Forest,” 
to use the language of Pursh, are entire, and of a coriaceous or 
leather-like texture ; the upper surface of the darkest green, with 
the brilliant polish of mahogany; the under surface varies in dif- 
ferent trees and situations. — In some it is of a clear, light green, 
in others covered by a rusty coloured down; the flowers are 
cream-white, cup-shaped, until fully expanded, when they assume 
a salver form ; we have measured them at our nurseries 33 
inches in circumference, and it is probable, that in their native 
region, they are still more luxuriant. The odour, which may 
be inhaled at a considerable distance, is that of the citron ; not so 
powerful as in the M. glauca, but more lively and exhilarating. 
It is a hardy tree, though when quite young, needs slight pro- 
tection during winter, in this latitude. Our standard specimen 
has reached an elevation of thirty to forty feet, and yields abun- 
dant bloom ; its beautiful evergreen foliage, unscathed by the 
severest frost.” The specimen just alluded to has, we believe, 
died since that description was written. 
Platantjs, Plane Tree , or Button-wood. — The common 
American species, occidentalism is a noble tree, fit emblem of our 
forests. Unfortunately it has fallen into ill health, but it is to be 
hoped the evil is but temporary. A new species, the racemosus, 
