Ornamental Trek Planting. 45 



very few hardy trees of any value for ornamental purposes that 

 grew naturally in the valley, and it was so difficult to make orna- 

 mental shade trees live that many thought it would ba no use to 

 set them out. In commencing the work of tree planting, he felt 

 that it was necessary to take extra care in setting and tending the 

 trees in order to make it successful, and hence in preparing the 

 ground, he had the holes dug four feet square and six feet deep, 

 filling them in with the best soil to be obtained. The trees were 

 set out carefully, setting them deep, pressing the soil closely 

 around the roots. The surface about the tree was left dishing, fo 

 as to hold a large amount of water, and when the season required 

 they were watered once or twice a week, putting on a barrel or 

 two at a time. The result had been very satisfactory ; seven 

 hundred and fifty evergreens had been set out in this way, of 

 which all but three are living and doing well. Out of one hun- 

 dred elms and seventy-five ash trees not one has died. He wanted 

 to call attention to one tree which was not usually found so far 

 north, but which grew naturally about La Crosse and did well ; 

 that was the Coffee tree, called the Kentucky CofJee Tree, be- 

 cause it was abundant in that state. The seeds are supposed to 

 have been carried up the Mississippi valley by the bird?, and 

 starting from these seeds, favored by the quick, warm soil and the 

 semi-tropical climate, resulting from the protection of the bluffs, 

 the trees became acclimated and seemei to be as hardy as though 

 they were native to the soil. They make fine ornamental trees, 

 beautiful in foliage and flower, and in the buds which hang on in 

 winter. In handling the evergreens, special care was taken not 

 to expose the roots. They were well packed in straw when 

 moved, and uncovered only in the shade. The sun was not al- 

 lowed to strike them, and water was applied freely until they 

 were set out. 



Mr. Ilarris said that the Kentucky Coffee tree was quite com- 

 mon in the Mississippi valley both above and below La Crosse. 

 They were to be found from si.K inches in diameter up to a decent 

 sized saw log. 



Mr. Plumb did not regard such large holes as essential to suc- 

 cess, and did not believe the success so much due to them as to 



