In a recent number of the Monthly some one asked about street shade trees for Florida. No one who has seen the great variety that make their home in her forests ought to be troubled about a choice. I say at once, plant the trees indigenous to her soil. As to the China and Tulip trees which you name, the first is insignificant in size and has no special grace or dignity. Aside from fragrant flowers and a good summer shade, it does not fill the bill of a fine street or lawn tree for Florida. The Tulip tree I do not believe will flourish there. I never saw it growing in the State.

For her broad avenues or parks no trees can rival the grand ship-timber Live Oak, or ■ the stately evergreen Magnolia. For narrow streets and areas the smaller evergreen oaks of Florida and her flowering maples have a fitness and beauty unsurpassed. The fact is, that throughout the Gulf States, and in South Carolina and Georgia, no one need go outside their forests to know what trees to plant.

The smaller evergreen oaks have a special duty in a climate where there are many hot days when frosts and the wintry blasts possess the North. My first entry into Florida was on a very sultry day, about the last of February, 1864. The evergreen oaks of Jacksonville were gladly welcomed by the soldiers, who tramped along her streets from transports. Their full robe of foliage and the broiling sun cheated the imagination with a semblance of summer. There are many such sultry days all through Florida's delicious southern winter. On the 23d and 24th of December, 1864, the weather was warm enough to make a full summer garb delightful.

As to the evergreen Timber. Oak and Magnolia grandiflora, no trees excel them in grace and dignity. A Live Oak tree, draped with breeze streaming moss, rivals the queenly New England Elm.