394 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



good soil for potatoes or grain. A similar fault is attributed to the few orna- 

 mental trees around the dwelling. I can only say in answer to such arguments, 

 that if we must sacrifice everything in this life to the purely practical, and 

 grow nothing but what returns an equivalent in hard cash to one's pocket, 

 then it is useless to carry the controversy any further. But under the convic- 

 tion that trees and flowers were given to us for a good purpose, no less than 

 for us to enjoy in our every-day walks, not only in our woodlands, but around 

 our homes, and according to my method of arguing, along the roadsides where 

 the traveller may be sheltered from the sultry summer sun. As to the objec- 

 tion relating to muddy roads, this can only be the case in clayey, retentive soils, 

 and our farmers well know that during the spring "stone-picking" there is 

 always an abundance of small stones that may be dumped in the road, and 

 thus in time be made to answer a two-fold purpose — clearing the fields and 

 macadamizing the highway. The advantage to be derived from cool, refresh- 

 ing shade during the summer months is beyond all description ; all that is 

 needed to make converts is to test the two extremes in a practical manner, 

 when I think the question will be settled finally in the affirmative. — New York 

 Tribune. 



FRUIT TREES BY THE ROADSIDE. 



The planting of forest trees by the highway for shade and ornament has 

 been common for a long time, but few years comparatively have passed since 

 the use of fruit trees for the same purpose has been found practicable by a 

 limited number of our most sagacious fruit-growing farmers. With few 

 exceptions, however, during the last decade, as the cultivation of the apple has 

 advanced, in nearly the same ratio the apple-tree has been planted by the 

 roadside, not merely for ornament — although that of itself should be sufficient 

 inducement — but for profit. And now since the highway laws of this State 

 prohibit the running at large of all farm stock, I know of no reason, with 

 judicious planting, proper care and culture, why we cannot expect as good 

 returns from the outlay as though our trees had received the common old- 

 fashioned field culture. One important requisite with regard to roadside trees, 

 where ploughing or cultivating the soil is not practicable, is a thorough mulch- 

 ing with a liberal supply of straw, coarse manure, muck, or any substance 

 that will tend to check all growth of grass, weeds, etc. Indeed, my own trees, 

 two years from planting, thus treated, have made a growth that would compare 

 favorably with those under ordinary culture. And the fact that in an adjoin- 

 ing county, during the past season, could have been seen long lines of apple- 

 trees skirting the highway on either side, heavily laden with the choicest 

 varieties of winter fruit, should dispel all doubts from the mind of the most 

 skeptical as to the practicability or profit of fruit-growing in this economical 

 way. Then let us plant trees, not confining our efforts to the winter varieties 

 alone, but include many of the earlier and later fall kinds, that there may be 

 an abundance for all to partake of as they pass along, and many in after years 

 will rise up and call us blessed. — Irving D. Cook, in N. Y. Tribune. 



. LANDSCAPE EFFECTS OF WOODLANDS. 



Besides the economic use of woodlands left for timber and their practical 

 value as wind-breaks, they have another use of hardly less importance. I mean 



