40 
LAWK AKD SHADE TREES. 
and again, two or three trees of it, planted directly in the rear 
of the dwelling, furnish a relief and background, adding greatly 
to the appearance as a picture. When distant views are desired, 
permission to plant one or two Lombardy poplars at or near the 
point will serve to attract the eye, and in themselves add an air 
of animation to the scene. It should never be planted as a 
foreground tree, or near water, or in low grounds ; and as an 
avenue tree, its stiff, regular form creates monotony that becomes 
tiresome. 
The balsam poplar — lalsamifera — and the balm of Gilead 
poplar —candicans — very much resemble each other in their rapid 
growth and spreading habit; but their foliage is entirely dis- 
tinct, the former having lanceolate oval leaves, while the latter 
lias very large, broad, heart-shaped foliage, and is much the 
most desirable. Both are good for roadside trees or broad 
avenues, and their use in filling up low grounds or bordering 
streams of water is always satisfactory. As a background tree, 
covering and shading barns or other farm-buildings, the balm 
of Gilead is very effective. 
The silver poplar — abele — is a tree remarkable for its silvery 
white underside of foliage, that at every rustle of the wind 
gives it, when seen from a distance, very much the appearance 
of a tree covered with white blossoms. 
It was once pretty generally planted in lawns and groups, but 
the disposition which it has to sucker makes it extremely objec- 
tionable for such positions. As a tree to make conspicuous some 
particular high point, or, where possible, to form the foreground 
of a group of dark firs, it is very desirable, and always effective. 
All the poplars bear the smoke and dust of cities with great 
indifference ; and where pavements will serve to keep down the 
suckers, they are desirable, because of their extremely rapid 
growth, exceeding perhaps that of any other tree. 
Pepperidge — Nyssa . — The sour gum or pepperidge tree is 
