ORNAMENTAL TREES. 43 



Carpinus Betulus. . 



Salix laurifolia. 



Thuja Warriana. A garden variety of the North- American Thuja occi- 

 dentalism of English origin ; known in the United States as " Siberian 

 arborvitaj," and much hardier and in every way superior to the type. 



The Chairman. The subject of ornamental trees is now 

 open for discussion. We shall be happy to hear from any 

 person who desires to speak. I see Mr. J. W. Mannestg of 

 Reading here. He is a man who is conversant with trees. 

 Will he give us his views? 



Mr. J. W. Manning (of Reading). I have had something 

 to do with ornamental trees. So far as my sale of shade- 

 trees is concerned, there is more call, and has been for the 

 last ten years, for the American rock-maple than for all other 

 shade-trees combined. The Norway maple, a European tree, 

 is inferior, I think, to the rock-maple, in hardihood, beauty, 

 and vigor of growth. I have something to say, also, in favor 

 of bass-wood, or American linden. I think it is adapted to 

 almost all soils or conditions in which shade-trees are sup- 

 posed to grow. I know it will grow at least half way across 

 the .-jontinent. I have seen it in the Rocky Mountains, and 

 I have seen it in Prince Edward's Island, and in our Eastern 

 States. As far as I have travelled, it seems to be adapted 

 to almost all soils. 



In the matter of evergreens, our hemlock (specimens of it 

 are here before us) is a splendid tree for a hedge. It will 

 prune well, and may be seen in hedges almost anywhere. I 

 should plant it in a soil that was somewhat sheltered from 

 severe winds. We call it a hardy tree, and, if it is well 

 pruned, it seldom or never winter-kills. In some localities I 

 have seen it injured by winter weather and the cold March 

 winds. The best season for transplanting trees is in the 

 spring, about the time when the bud is swelling. I should 

 say that would be the very nick of time ; but it cannot 

 always be done then. I do not hesitate to plant evergreens 

 as soon as the frost is out of the ground, and continue to 

 plant them up to June ; but the idea of deferring the plant- 

 ing of evergreens until into June is a mistake. If you wait 

 until that time, it is often very dry ; and planting them then 

 is apt to be fatal to them. 



The Chaik^man. I see Mr. Hyde of Newton. He has 

 had a great deal of experience, and can say something to us. 



