TRANSACTIONS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ILL. 369 



ling evergreens is one upon which much has been said and written by- 

 many of our leading and most prominent tree growers throughout the 

 country, giving the result of their experiences in the different soils, 

 climates, etc., together with certain rules and instructions for planting 

 and handling the same, with varieties, their adaptability for the various 

 ornamental purposes, etc., all of which is well and of untold value to the 

 inexperienced planter ; but as each succeeding year brings with it the 

 result of some new experiment, or the development of some new freak in 

 nature, there still appears to be room for much more to be said and 

 written. 



Time will not permit us to enter into a minute or detailed statement 

 as to the result of our own experience, nor do wish to be understood that 

 our theory is by any means new ; but, as the result of a few years of care- 

 ful study and practical experience, we have found it necessary to complete 

 success, to adopt certain rules by which to be governed in the training 

 and handling of trees. 



In the first place, a few general ideas as to the varieties best adapted to 

 close training, for the various ornamental purposes : Among the varieties 

 best adapted to the soil and climate of the Northwest, and most valuable 

 for this purpose, we have selected the red cedar, common juniper, Ameri- 

 can arbor-vitaa and hemlock spruce. For close ornamental hedging, the 

 two first-named varieties we consider the most valuable. The common 

 American juniper, though of a prostrate, straggling habit in its natural 

 growth, is susceptible of becoming one of the most beautiful and valuable, 

 when put under training, of the evergreen family. 



The arbor-vitce, though it is very valuable for this purpose, yet it 

 requires a greater amount of labor and care than with the juniper to pro- 

 duce the same effect. One great cause of the failure on the part of so 

 many, in the planting and growing an ornamental hedge is, first, too large 

 plants are used, and generally those of an inferior quality ; second, they 

 do not cultivate and shear them at the proper time. 



Plants for this purpose should never exceed in height one and a half 

 feet, using none but perfect, well-filled plants; and for the first few years 

 constant and thorough cultivation is necessary. Shearing and root- 

 pruning at the proper time are also very important in the growing 

 and culture of all ornamental trees and shrubs — though writers disagree 

 in this. 



Time will not permit us to dwell upon this point longer ; and we 

 will give a few hints upon the handling of co7iifers. 



In the transplanting of trees, too much care can not be exercised, 

 especially with the coniferous species. A tree of resinous sap, with its 

 roots exposed to the air, will die almost as soon as a fish out of water. 

 The roots are largely saturated with a resinous gum, more particularly the 

 bark and minute fibres ; consequently a very slight exposure to drying 

 winds or sun will so thicken the resin in the roots and spongioles as to. 

 render them impervious to water, and thus impede the free flow of sap 

 from the soil, through the roots, to the top. The resin once set, the tree 

 is forever dead — beyond the power of resuscitation. 



