White  Poplar  {Populus  alba).— This  tree  is  usually  voted  a  nuisance  as  a  shade  on
account  of  its  wonderful  tendency  for  suckering ;  but  this  tendency  to  sucker  would  be
no  objection  in  forest-culture.  The  size  which  this  tree  will  reach  in  prairie  soil  in  ten
years  is  a  matter  of  wonder  and  surprise.  It  is  probable  that  we  have  no  tree  with
valuable  wood  that  will  reach  saw-log  size  as  soon  as  this.  Like  the  elm,  the  intrinsic
value  of  this  tree  has  been  overlooked.    Let  us  enumerate:

(1)  It  propagates  from  cuttings  of  any  size,  even  more  readily  than  the  willow.
(2)  It  is  valuable  for  about  the  same  uses  as  the  famous  tulip  tree  (Liriodendron
tulijjifera)  of  Ohio.  It  makes  very  superior  flooring,  wainscoting,  and  even  finishing
lumber  for  houses.  The  boards  used  for  siding,  or  for  fencing,  are  vastly  superior  to
any  of  the  poplar  family  except  it  be  the  yellow  cottonwood.  For  dry -goods  boxes,
bowls,  trays,  carriage-bottoms,  trunk-making,  chair-seats,  &c.,  the  wood  is  counted  in
Europe  superior  to  pine  or  white-wood.
(3)  When  thickly  planted,  it  runs  up  very  straight,  and  the  poles  cut  in  thinning,  can
be  utilized  by  nailing  on  posts  for  fence,  for  rafters,  sleepers,  etc.,  as  with  the  aspen.  As
with  the  latter,  the  trees  for  this  use  should  be  cut  in  summer  and  peeled,  when  they
are  quite  durable  if  kept  from  the  ground.
