242 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



beautify the scenery; could not agree with the Doctor about not trim- 

 ming any. Some persons did not like to have their hair cut ; long 

 untrimmed hair is unbecoming ; cutting it improves the looks. So with 

 hedges and evergreens ; trimming ornaments and improves their looks. 



Mr. Spitze — Evergreens sometimes die from pruning ; the ground 

 under them should be shaded. 



Mr, Hathaway — It is best to follow nature ; evergreens shade them- 

 selves in their native forests, the superabundance of limbs die and drop 

 off; in their cultivation the roots should be mulched or shaded. 



Mr. Elder spoke of the beautiful appearance of evergreens, espe- 

 cially in the winter, when the eye was relieved by the dark green mantle 

 of foliage so grateful in contrast with the nakedness of winter. To his 

 fancy, trimming them in shape improved their appearance. He instanced 

 some yards ornamented with evergreens, and commended the planting of 

 evergreens. 



Mr. Johnson instanced several farms where evergreens enhanced the 

 value and beauty of the surroundings; his mode of trimming was to trim 

 in pyramidal form. 



Mr. Hammond would recommend first Norway spruce ; it is easily 

 transplanted, and should never be pruned. Next, Scotch pine. Arbor- 

 vitae without pruning is shabby, with pruning it is one of the most beau- 

 tiful things in nature. The European larch he also commended. 



Isaac Bliss spoke of the benefits of evergreens ; of their ornamental 

 character. He did not favor trimming them ; he said let them go, and 

 recommended the Austrian and Scotch pines and balsam fir. He thought 

 of surrounding his place with them for protection against the bleakness of 

 wintry winds, as well as for their economic and ornamental benefits. 



Mr. Bliss inquired what is the proper distance to set evergreens for 

 a hedge ? 



Mr. Hathaway had seen arbor-vitse hedges set sixteeit inches apart 

 in the cemetery. 



Mr. Hammond recommended Norway spruce for wind-break ; for 

 screen or low hedge, arbor-vitae. 



Mr. Walker was not in favor of trimming out the lower branches. 



Dr. Hollowbush was on docket for an essay on " Supply and De- 

 mand," but was absent. Several speakers recommended international 

 conventions for considering and regulating supply and demand. 



The subject of the influence of forests upon rain-fall was discussed, 

 most of the speakers conceding that forests increased rain-fall, and 



