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J lie tiunk of a Po Poplar about two feet in diameter, and thirty feet in length, which size it will 
attain in twenty years or less, is sold in Lombardy to the dealers for twelve or fifteen shillings. They 
cut it at the water saw mills, green, into thin boards of one quarter or one third of an inch, for 
packeis of bales of woollens, boards to put in the middle of silk pieces or other manufactures, and 
for many other uses where a thin board is wanted. Boards of half an inch, and planks from one to 
two or three inches, are also cut out for different uses; but of about three quarters to an inch mostly, 
for boxes and cases to pack merchandise in. 
The lightness of the wood saves much expense in the carriage: and nails do not split the Poplar 
plank, as it frequently happens with boxes and cases made of other wood. The Poplar gives way 
to the nail, and closes upon it afterwards. If cases fall or are thrown carelessly on the ground, 
which too often happens, this wood gives way a little, and returns to its former position without 
splitting; which oak and other heavy woods will not do. 
In Lombardy, all the vessels in which the grapes are carried home in carts from the vineyards, are 
of Poplar plank about two inches thick, and in them the grapes are squeezed. Such vessels last 
thirty or forty years, and by their lightness are manageable, however large and long. A four- 
wheeled cart is in general covered with one of them, and it contains about fifteen hundred weight of 
grapes, each hundred being a hundred pound of thirty ounces.* 
The peculiar use of the Lombardy Poplar in this country has hitherto been for ornamental planta¬ 
tions and covering unsightly buildings. To the latter purpose its upright close conical mode of 
growing, with its feathering very readily down to the very ground, particularly adapts it. 
Mr. Gilpin has thought some of the Poplars picturesque. They are at least stately trees, but their 
thin quivering foliage is neither adapted to catch masses of light, like the Elm, nor has it the hang¬ 
ing lightness of the Ash. Its chief use in landscape is to mix as a variety, in contrast with other 
trees. 
The conic form of the Lombardy Poplar, as a deciduous tree, is peculiar. Among evergreens we 
find the same character in the Cypress; and both trees in many situations have a good effect. The 
Cypress often, among the ruins of ancient (and the buildings of modern) Rome, breaks the regularity 
of a wall, or a pediment: and the Poplar on the banks of the Po. no doubt has the same effect 
among the deciduous brethren, by forming the apex of a clump. 
One beauty the Italian Poplar possesses which is almost peculiar to it; and that is the waving 
line it forms, when agitated by wind. Most trees in this circumstance are partially agitated. One 
side is at rest, while the other is in motion. But the Italian Poplar waves in one simple sweep from 
the top to the bottom, like an ostrich-feather on a lady's head. All the branches coincide in the 
motion: and the least blast makes an impression upon it, when other trees are at rest. Although 
this tree sometimes has a good effect, when standing single; it generally has a better, when two or 
three are planted in a clump.-f* 
The Lombardy Poplar is said to have been first introduced into this country, in Essex, by the 
Earl of Rochford, about the year 1758, and in that county it goes by his name.} In France it has 
been cultivated since the year 1749-§ 
Species 5 . Common Tacamahaca Poplar. (Populijs Balsamifeea.) 
By the growth of this tree in Europe it seems not to be of a very large size. Bark smooth, like 
* Young’s Annals, 4. p. 7- 
J Gent. Mag. 57. 886. and Ilort. Kew. 
-j- Forest Scenery, 1. 53. 
§ Memoirs d’Agriculture. 
6 R 
