The Cucumber Tree (Magnolia Acuminata)

Few planters are aware of how valuable the Cucumber Tree is for withstanding the grime and soot of large towns. Experiments have, however, resulted in this highly ornamental and fast growing tree being added to the list. Its ample foliage, yellowish white fragrant flowers, and general contour eminently fit it for a first place as a town tree. Soil of ordinary quality suits its general wants, although it prefers a strong yellowish moist loam.

The Tulip Tree (Liriodendron Tulipifera)

Excellent examples are not wanting of how valuable this tree is for towns and streets. It seems to have a wonderful recuperative nature; for, scorched, blackened, and encrusted as may appear the fall-ing-off foliage, yet in the following spring it again puts forth a garb of the freshest and richest greenery. The remarkable four-lobed, truncate leaves render this tree almost without an equal for ornamental planting, while its undoubted smoke-resisting qualities place it high in the rank of town trees. It is not particular as to soil.

The Weeping Elm (Ulmus Montana Pen-Data)

This is an excellent town tree, and in London at least would appear to be peculiarly suitable for planting where the atmosphere is heated and impure. Well developed specimens are by no means uncommon throughout almost every part of the metropolis, as in Bloomsbury Square, at Lincoln's Inn Fields, Lambeth, Russell Square and throughout the East end generally. The Weeping Elm is a tree of particularly neat and not too robust growth, and in consequence is particularly suitable for planting in confined spaces where larger growing trees would be quite out of place. For arbour work, in company with the Weeping Ash, it is one of our most valuable trees. Probably the largest and most picturesque specimen in London is growing in the gardens of the Royal Botanical Society, in Regent's Park.

The Common Laburnum (L. vulgare)

The Common Laburnum (L. vulgare) is largely planted in town gardens and squares, where it succeeds well, even when subjected to a large amount of soot and smoke. As ornamental trees of small growth, both this species and the Scotch Laburnum (L. Alpinum) must rank high, for the large pendulous racemes of bright yellow flowers have few equals amongst those of any other species. The Scotch Laburnum closely resembles the common tree but it is of larger growth, sometimes 30 ft. in height, and blooms much later in the season. For the back lines of shrubberies or for garden subdivisions both are well adapted, and neither can be classed as at all particular in the matter of soil.

The Deciduous Cypress (Taxodium Dis-Tichum)

This coniferous tree would appear to do well in many of our smoky towns, particularly where it is planted in dampish ground, as by the banks of a pond or lake.

Being deciduous, it evidently has an advantage over evergreen species in the annual shedding of the leaves. It is a beautiful tree of fairly rapid growth, the light pea-green foliage, which dies off a bright reddish-brown in autumn, being much admired. For the worst districts of London it may not be adapted, but, when planted under favourable conditions as to soil and moisture, it is certainly well able to do battle with the impurities of a town atmosphere. The only other coniferous trees that succeed in smoky districts are the Savin (Juniperus sabina), Austrian Pine (Pinus austriaca) and the Plum-fruited Yew (Podocarpas andina); but where the air is very impure the Austrian wears a miserable appearance and should not be planted.

The Savin Juniper, For Town Planting. To face page 82.