ORNAMENTAL TREES. 49 



the taproot: it runs down deep into the ground. I have 

 seen the taproot of a pecan-nut tree, which was longer than 

 the tree itself was. The taproot will go down three or 

 four feet, according to the nature of the soil. I allow the 

 trees to grow from the seed the first year, and then the next 

 year transplant them. After two or three years they will 

 have taproots again, when they need to be taken up and 

 again transplanted, cutting off the taproot as before. After 

 you have done that two or three times, they will have as 

 excellent a growth of fibrous roots as you ever saw on any 

 trees. Now set out those trees, and you will add perma- 

 nent value to your real estate by doing it. 



Question. Can't I set them out from the pastures and 

 fields where they have grown naturally ? 



Mr. Hyde. Possibly, if you can find trees small enough. 



Mr. . I can find plenty. 



Mr. Hyde. You may do pretty well that way ; but all 

 the nut family are difficult trees to transplant. The pecan, 

 the shellbark, and pig-nut are rather difficult trees to trans- 

 plant. 



Question. Will the pecan grow here ? 



Mr. Hyde. Yes, sir, tolerably well. 



Question. How about the elm ? 



Mr. Hyde. The elm will grow almost everywhere, until 

 the roots will cover nearly every inch of your plantation. 

 Along the streets, in towns where j^ou want elms for shade- 

 trees, 3^ou cannot very well avoid having their roots run into 

 your land, and sucking your soil a good deal. 



Question. Does grass grow well under elms? 



Mr. Hyde. Fairly well. 



Question. So as to make a good-looking lawn ? 



Mr. Hyde. Pretty good. Rather strong, moist soil is 

 best for the chestnut. In addition to its value for furnish- 

 ing nuts, it has a commercial value as timber for telegraph- 

 poles, railroad-ties, etc. If I should tell you what we have 

 received for chestnut-trees for those purposes, you would 

 hardly believe me. Some of these American chestnuts are 

 two-thirds as large as the Spanish chestnut, and of much 

 better qualitj'-. 



Mr. Damon (of Northampton). I have a tree which 

 yields me about three bushels of chestnuts a year. 



