JOUBNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
December  24,  1903 
5,S3 
Trees  and  Shrubs. 
The  Black  Poplar  and  the  Aspen. 
These  are  quick-growin<i  trees,  mith  light-coloured  loliag?. 
and  they  are  eft’ective  with  a  background  ot  dark-leaved 
Conifers.'  Tliey  are,  therefore,  well  worth  consideration  at  this 
season.  It  is  quite  true  that  these  two  Poplars  usuallv  grow 
large.st  in  moist  soils,  hut  they  are  cosmopolitan ;  they  will 
thrive  in  almost  any  climate  and  any  soil.  We  have  seen  both 
of  them  growing  as  lai'ge  and  as  handsomely  formed  on  a  dry 
calcareous  .soil  as  the  Black  Poplar  repre.sented  in  the  accom¬ 
panying  engraving.  One  may  easily  discern  without  any  danger 
of  being  deceived  which  is  an  Aspen,  not  only  by  its  leaves,  hut 
more  certainly  still  by  its  inflore.scence.  The  leaves  of  the 
Aspen  are  roundish  ovate,  the  edge  slightly  wavv  and  toothed, 
downy  when  young,  but  quite  smooth  when  full  grown.  The 
leaves  of  the  Black  Poplar  are  deltoid-pointed,  toothed,  with 
glands  at  the  base  of  the  teeth,  and  always  smooth  on  both 
surfaces.  We  add  a  few  notes  relative  to  each  species. 
Populus  tremnla,  the  Trembling-leaved  Poplar  or  A.si)en,  is 
a  native  of  most  parts  of  the  British  Islands,  and  is  described 
by  all  our  earliest  herbalists,  but  bv  none  in  such  scandalous 
terms  as  by  old  Gerarde,  all  of  whose  female  relatives  must 
have  been  .scolds.  He  says  it  “  may  be  called  Tremble,  consider¬ 
ing  it  is  the  matter  whereof  women’s  tongues  v.rnre  made,  which 
seldom  cease  wagging.”  The  continuous  tremulous  motion  of 
the  leaves  ari.ses  from  the  even  balancing  of  their  discs,  and 
the  length  and  -slenderne.ss  of  their  footstalks.  Its  popular 
name  is  derived  from  the  Anglo-Saxon,  and  refers  to  that 
motion.  ^Tlpse  was  its  Anglo-Saxon  name,  and  the  same  word 
is  in  that  language  .synonymous  with  our  “  ti’einnlons.”  Super¬ 
stition  has  given  birth  to  a  legend,  at  one  time  prevalent  in 
tile  Highlands  of  Scotland,  and  thus  told  by  Mrs.  Hemans.  The 
Cross — 
Was  form'd  oi  aspen  vood;  and  since  that  hour 
Through  all  its  race  the  pale  t  ee  hath  sent  down 
A  thrilling  consciousness,  a  secret  awe, 
Making  them  tremulous,  when  not  a  breeze 
Disturbs  the  airy  thistle-down  or  shakes 
The  light  lines  of  the  shining  gossamer. 
In  dry  soils  it  does  not  attain  a  greater  height  than  50ft,  but 
in  moist  situations  it  is  often  full  80ft  high.  It  is  not  a  long- 
lived  tree,  usually  beginning  to  decay  when  seventy  years  old, 
and  this,  with  its  tendency  to  produce  numerous  suckers, 
renders  it  not  desirable  for  ornamental  planting  near  a  lawn 
or  flower  borders.  The  wood  is  vhite,  .soft,  and  light,  and  is 
used  by  the  turner  for  forming  bonds,  trays,  and  other  utensils. 
It  was  so  valued  for  making  arrows  that  in  the  reign  of 
.Edward  IV.,  1464,  a  statute  was  enacted  from  which  the  follow¬ 
ing  is  extracted  ; 
“  Patten  makers  mav  make  pattens  of  such  Asp  as  is  not 
fit  for  shafts. 
“  Asp  timber  is  the  best  and  lightest  timber,  thereof  to 
make  pattens  and  clogs,  most  easy  for  the  wearing  of  all 
estates,  gentiles,  and  other  people,  of  any  timber  that  groweth. 
“  Turners,  carpenters,  woodmongers,  and  cole-makers  do 
occupy,  expend,  and  waste  yearly  in  their  occupations  a  great 
quantity  of  all  manner  timber  of  Asp.” 
Populus  nigra,  the  BLack  Poplar,  probably  .<^:o  called  becauco 
of  its  darker  tints  than  those  of  the  White  Poplar.  It.s  bark  is 
browner,  and  the  leaves  have  no  white  down  on  their  u'ndei' 
sui’face.  It  attains  a  height  of  80ft,  and  its  wood  is  one  of 
the  best  for  making  turnery  ware.  It  has  been  much  used  for 
flooring,  and  Mr.  Young  tells  that  it  is  so  slow  in  taking  fire 
that  the  flames  were  stayed  at  that  part  of  a  building  on  fire 
comstructed  of  this  wood.  It  affords  pasturag-e  for  bees,  botli 
l>y  its  catkins  and  the  honeyclew  which  is  freely  secreted  on 
its  leaves. 
Societies. 
Bristol :  “  Greenhouse  Climbers.” 
The  Bristol  Gardeners’  Society  met  at  St.  John’s  Booms  on 
Tiiursday  evening  last,  and  Mr.  E.  Poole,  F.R.H.S.,  nresideci 
over  a  good  attendance.  The  lecturer  for  the  evening  was  Mr. 
Orchard,  of  Henbury,  his  subject  being  “  Greenhouse  Climbers.” 
He  named  a  .selection  of  climbers  suitable  for  the  greenhouse, 
detailing  the  cultural  directions  for  each  in  a  masterly  way.  He 
emphasised  the  necessity  for  cleanliness,  keeping  down  insect 
pests,  which,  if  left,  rvould  cause  a  great  amount  of  trouble.  He 
advised  gardeners  to  study  their  employers’  tastes  in  the  selection 
of  greenhouse  and  other  climbers.  A  good  discussion  followed, 
and  he  was  nnanimously  accorded  the  best  thanks  of  the  Society. 
The  prizes  for  the  evening  were  for  two  bunches  white  Grapes, 
and  were  awarded  to  IMr.  J.  B.  Brain  (gr.  Mr.  Atwell)  and  Mr. 
Howel  Davis  (gr.  IMr.  Cnrtis).  Certificates  of  Merit  went  to  Mr. 
\y.  E.  George  (gr,  Mr.  Scott)  for  3  well-grown  plants  of  Begonia 
Gloire  de  Lorraine,  and  to  Mr.  F.  C.  J.  Fisher  (gr,  Mr.  Shelton) 
also  for  a  large  plant  of  the  same,  and  one  to  Lady  Cave  (gr,  Mr. 
Poole)  for  a  collection  cf  cut  foliage  of  greenhouse  climbers.  The 
Society’s  annual  dinner  takes  place  at  St.  Stephen’s  Restaurant 
to-night,  November  17. 
Sheffield  :  “Plant  Life  in  the  Alps.” 
At  the  monthly  general  meeting  cf  the  Sheffield  Chrys¬ 
anthemum  Society,  Professor  Denny  gave  an  interesting  lecture 
on  “Plant  Life  in  the  Alps.”  After  explaining  and  illustrating 
the  laws  and  structure  relating  to  the  growth  of  plants  living  at 
or  about  the  sea  level,  the  lecturer  drew  some  interesting  com- 
parisoms  cf  plant  life  in  the  Alps.  From  the  base  to  the  summit 
cf  Alont  Blanc  i^lant  life  altered  in  degree  according  to  the  change 
in  climatic  conditions.  Illustrations  were  given,  showing  tall 
and  symmetrical  trees  growing  at  the  base  cf  a  mountain.  On 
the  top  of  a  mountain  plants  were  subjected  to  great  heat  from 
tlie  sun  during  the  day,  and  to  intense  cold  at  night.  Plants  on 
the  sea  level  were  not  affected  by  such  extreme  climatic  influence.s. 
As  the  cold  was  supreme  longer  than  the  heat,  the  portion  of  the 
plant  above  ground  was  reduced  in  proportion  tO'  the  height, 
until  the  highest  forms  vrere  mere  dwarfs.  Where  there  was 
perpetual  snow,  plants  were  scarce.  The.  Alps  proper  were  the 
middle  regions  where  pasture  land  existed,  at  any  rate  during  the 
summer  months.  Though  leaf  development  was  not  apart  from 
the  growth  of  root,  the  altered  climatic  conditions  caused  a 
stunted  growth  above  the  surface,  while  the  hidden  part  of  the 
plant  developed  to  what  seemed  undue  proportions  in  the 
endeavour  to  find  warmth. 
Exposure  to  wind  also  hindered  the  growth  of  the  iDlant  above 
the  surface.  The  leaf  and  flower,  though  not  possessing  long 
stalks,  grew  in  thick  clusters  and  wholly  covered  the  surface  of 
large  areas.  By  this  means  warmth  was  retained  in  the  soil  and’ 
cold  was  kept  out.  Water  was  necessary,  but,  if  the  plants  were 
not  able  to  drink,  they  might  as  well  be  in  a  desert.  Neither  too 
little  nor  too  much  was  congenial  to  the  plant,  and  some  Alpine 
plants  had  a  covering  of  hair,  which  regulated  the  passage  of 
water  and  the  radiation  of  heat.  Many  interesting  conditions 
suitable  tO'  the  life  cf  Alpine  plants  were  explained  by  the 
lecturer.  An  important  feature  was  the  perpetuity  cf  the  Alpine 
flora  which  has  the  agency  of  insects  for  fertilisation  only  in  a 
small  degree.  Perpetuit.y  depended  upon  the  seeds  and  the 
taking  root  cf  the  leaves  which  clustered  close  to  the  .surface. 
Falling  leaves  re.sting  in  crevices  formed  a  large  part  of  the  per¬ 
petuity  of  the  plant.  Referring  to  the  bright  colours  cf  the 
flowers  that  grow  on  the  Alps,  the  lecturer  remarked  that  practi¬ 
cally  the  only  insects  flying  to  these  heights  were  the  bee  and 
the  butterfly,  the  latter  being  able  to  get  much  higher.  It  had 
been  provecl  by  naturalists  that  the  favourite  colour  of  the  bee 
was  blue,  and  the  colours  that  attracted  the  butterfly  purple, 
red,  or  pink.  These  preferences  by  Alpine  fertilisers  accounted 
for  the  almost  exclusive  colours  cf  blue,  purple,  red,  and  pink, 
among  flowers  on  the  heights.  Insects  at  a  lower  plane  had  pre¬ 
ferences,  as  yellow  for  beetles,  white  for  flies.  The  butterflies 
were,  therefore,  responsible  for  the  preponderance  of  the  gay 
colours  of  the  higher  Alps.  Other  interesting  points,  such  as 
the  penetration  of  snow  and  ice  b,y  the  warmth  generated  in  the 
growing  flower,  concluded  a  highly  interesting  lecture. 
Devon  and  Exeter’:  Stove  Plants, 
At  the  Exeter  Guildhall  on  December  16  a  good  attendance 
of  the  memhers  of  the  Devon  and  Exeter  Gardeners’  Associa¬ 
tion  assembled  to  hear  a  paper  on  “  Stove  Plants,”  read  by 
Mr.  Curtis,  of  Bristol.  The  chair  was  occupied  by  Mr.  J. 
Coutts,  of  Killerton  Park,  who,  in  introducing  the  lecturer, 
spoke  of  the  excellent  fraternal  feeling  which  was  engendered 
by  the  interchange  of  lecturers  with  the  Bristol  Gardeners’ 
Society,  as  in  the  present  instance.  The  lecturer  said  he  was 
deeply  interested  in  stove-reared  iflants,  and  confessed  there 
was.  no  other  branch  of  gardening  that  claimed  his  attention 
more.  The  great  secret  in  the  successfiri  culture  is  cleanliness. 
The  flowers  when  expanded  disliked  syringing,  and  soon  turned 
yellow  when  .so  treated,  the  buds  dropping  off.  Foliage  plants 
next  claimed  the  lecturer’s  attention.  The  Croton,  he  thought, 
had  most  attraction  for  us,  probably  on  account  of  its  varietv 
and  deepness  of  colour.  The  essential  in  the  cultivation  of  this 
novel  plant  was  to  get  the  leaves  to  curl  in  a  p-?rfect  manner 
from  axil  to  tip,  at  the  same  time  havin.g  a  well-coloured  tone. 
Good  drainage  and  fair  amount  of  sunshine  were  the  chief 
factors  in  gaining  this.  Crotons  should  not  be  excited  at  any 
period  of  their  growth. 
Voting  for  the  he.st  pot  of  Cvclamen  persicum  in  blo.ssom 
resulted  in  Mr.  J.  Rogers,  of  Marl  House,  winning  with  87 
points;  Dir.  G.  Cole  being  2nd,  57  points;  Mr.  Cork,  3rd,  41 
points.  Among  the  flowers  exhibited  were  some  remarkable 
spikes  of  Calanthe  Veitchi,  of  a  bright  rosy  pink,  and  with  a 
great  many  flowers  on  the  .spike.  A  new  Chi'ysanthemum  from 
