ARBORICULTURE 



33 



monotonous symmetry and the haphazard 

 arrangement so much in vogue on this side 

 of the Atlantic. 



Viewed merely from the esthetic stand- 

 point, there is every reason why our Amer- 

 ican cities should give greater attention to 

 tree-planting. Here in Providence there 

 are many miles of dreary streets that would 

 be " vastly " improved, as Jane Austen might 

 say, if they were bordered with shade trees. 



In the year 1900 no less than 4,000 trees 

 were planted in New York City, under the 

 auspices of the Tree-planting Society of 

 that town. Some complaint has arisen 

 over the deadly effect of escaping gas upon 

 the roots, but very few trees, comparatively, 

 have perished from this cause. Providence 

 is behind many American cities in the plant- 

 ing of shade trees. Next fall a thousand 

 might easily be set out here without filling 

 a quarter of all the blank spaces along our 

 residential streets." 



¥ ¥ ¥ 



STREET TREES. 



A street which has its sidewalks lined 

 with trees is always an attractive feature 

 in any town of whatever size. Even where 

 the vegetation is irregularly planted, and 

 even more irregularly cared for, it becomes 

 in time an asset of considerable, although 

 somewhat indefinable, value. It is fortu- 

 nately becoming a rule nowadays to have the 

 street trees planted systematically with the 

 provision made for their proper care and 

 maintenance. Where this has not been 

 done in the past, it is better even now to step 

 in and do the best with what remains than 

 to let what is pass into ruin. 



There are two conditions that are detri- 

 mental to street trees. The one, as already 

 indicated, being systematic neglect and 

 inattention and the other an unreasonable 

 striving for immediate effect accompanied 

 by an unintelligent treatment in after years. 

 It is the common experience of all who 

 have to deal with street avenues and pub- 

 lic ways that, when the time comes, as 

 come it will, for the axe to be brought in 

 and the sacrifice of fully fifty per cent of 

 the trees is a necessity there will be an up- 

 rising of ignorant enthusiasts, well meaning 

 but over meddlesome — who cry aloud in be- 

 half of the maintenance of things which 

 the skilled arboriculturist knows should be 

 removed. 



In Boston, perhaps, more than in any 

 other of our large cities this condition is 

 brought to the surface more distinctly, 

 simply because it is an older city and the 

 time has come when these conditions have 

 to be faced. — American Gardening. 



FORESTS AND WATER SUPPLY. 



When Colorado was first settled, and for 

 at least a decade thereafter, the forests 

 contained their native supply of timber ; the 

 mountain snows remained under their pro- 

 tecting shade until late in July ; the streams 

 ran at a fiood during the most of the irri- 

 gating season and maintained a large volume 

 of water until late in the summer. But 

 gradually the mountain sides have been 

 denuded of their forests. Timber for 

 mining and railroad uses, lumber for com- 

 mercial purposes, devastating fires, have re- 

 sulted in the destruction of our forests. If 

 this waste goes on the industries of agri- 

 culture and horticulture will be irreparably 

 injured. There is no more important duty 

 in connection with irrigation than the con- 

 servation of the forests ; that means the 

 conservation of water for storage. 



Had it not been for the rains of June and 

 July Colorado crops, save in a few favored 

 sections, would have been practically a total 

 failure this year. It is true that last 

 winter's snowfall was light, but there were 

 few forest areas to protect what did fall. 

 This fact must be so thoroughly impressed 

 on the public mind that hereafter the matter 

 of forest protection will be placed side by 

 side with the extension of irrigation. — 

 Denver News. 



A GIANT ELM TREE. 



Supposed to be the largest east of the 

 Mississippi. The Gowanda (N. Y.) Leader, 

 says that on the Jason Knapp farm, in the 

 town of Hanover, thirty-four miles from 

 Buffalo, is a giant elm, measuring forty-two 

 feet circumference at the ground, and thirty- 

 three feet girth at three feet higher. Its 

 lowest limb was estimated to be sixty feet 

 from the ground, the head towering above 

 all surrounding trees. It was contemplated 

 to exhibit this tree at the World's Fair, but 

 on account of the expense the project was, 

 very fortunately, abandoned. 



