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SOCIETY OF NOETHEEN ILLINOIS. 265 



expense, and it seems strange to me that so many cities and towns 

 have not taken up the ornamentation of their parks and school 

 grounds and tried to improve them. This could be done with very 

 little cost to each landholder in that vicinity, and would probably 

 increase his property in value more than the trifle it cost him. Care 

 should be exercised that the trees may not be planted too closely, so 

 that they will crowd each other after they attain considerable size. 



In order to plant so the best results may be obtained, one should 

 be acquainted with the different varieties of trees, their habits of 

 growth, the size they ultimately attain, and the effect they will pro- 

 duce when planted among other kinds. Persons who do not under- 

 stand this, are quite apt to plant too closely and therefore spoil the 

 lawn or park after the trees are of some size. It is better to employ 

 a skilled landscape gardener, one who has devoted his time and atten- 

 tion to the subject, and who thoroughly understands his business, 

 if we can afford to. If we do so, usually considerable expense can 

 be saved in the amount of trees planted and in the end they will be 

 where they are wanted. 



When riding, on a hot summer day, whether it be for business 

 or pleasure, how much enjoyment is afforded by the cool, refreshing 

 shade of a row of trees along the road, and then how much we 

 regret that more trees were not planted along the highw.ays by our 

 fathers when they first settled this country. To those who did, we 

 must tender our warmest thanks, and when an opportunity offers, 

 we should follow in their footsteps and do likewise. There is noth- 

 ing that adds so much to the beauty of a city or town as well as 

 well-kept roadways, lined with fine rows of trees, making a delight- 

 ful shade in summer, and protecting the home from the cold blasts 

 of winter. 



The elm, one of the grandest of our trees, is probably as much 

 planted as any one variety for shade and ornament in this section. 

 It attains a large size and, if properly cared for when young, makes 

 a beautiful tree. 



Tbe hard maple also makes a handsome tree, but is not as much 

 planted as the elm on account of its slow growth while young, these 

 together with the white ash and chestnut are among the most desir- 

 able of the hard wooded trees for ornamental planting. In what- 

 ever we attempt to do, let us do it with our might, keep perpetually 

 " firing" away at the people, and finally we may be rewarded for our 

 perseverance and energy by making an impression that will last for- 

 ever, whereas if we are easily discouraged we may not accomplish 

 what we otherwise would. 



