ARBORICULTURE 



57 



"The Pljanix submits this proposition 

 to the Times: Can a better use be made 

 of our worn-out. moss-grown and 'aban- 

 doned' \'ermont pastures (that never 

 oug"ht to have been stripped of their for- 

 est growth in the beginning) than to al- 

 low them to grow up again to woodland, 

 acquiring, a quarter century hence, a 

 value which they can never gain in any 

 other way?" 



There are many good forms of holi- 

 day decorations, which may be substi- 

 tuted for trees which have a national 

 value far beyond the pecuniary cost after 

 they have been killed. 



Ground pine, a lycopodhnn (deudroi- 

 deuin). which is used by florists for holi- 

 day decorations — a very beautiful mate- 

 rial for wreaths, festoons, etc. It is 

 found in moist woods in New England 

 and westward. This lycopodium is a 

 common article of merchandise to be 

 found in everv^ city. It is so abundant 

 that no serious loss occurs by gathering 

 it in large quantities. 



The southern bay tree. Magnolia 

 glauca, is extremely abundant in the 

 South, where it is an evergreen; the 

 glossy leaves make excellent wreaths and 

 festive decorations. There can be no 

 waste in using this tree, which is of rapid 

 tropical growth in the swamps — south. 



The well-known holly. Ilex, with crim- 

 son berry clusters, if used in moderate 

 quantities, can supply all requirement for 

 Christmas. There are many form.s of 

 the Ilex, most of which are suitable for 

 Christmastide. 



The mistletoe has a special significance 

 for Christmas. It is not used as freely 

 as the holly and ground pine can be, yet 

 helps out the decorations and adds to the 

 joy of the occasion. 



This is a true parasite growing upon 

 the oak in California, elm in southern 

 Indiana, and upon some other trees in 

 the far South. 



The white berries in clusters give it a 

 bright appearance. These are of a mu- 

 cilaginous sul)stance, which adhere to 

 the beaks of birds which eat the berries, 

 in efforts to remove the irritation. The 

 birds peck at the bark in wliich the seeds 

 of the mistletoe are left — to become 

 ])lants, living upon the sap of the trees 



mistletoe for 



on which it grows. Some southern la- 

 dies have cultivated the 

 northern markets. 



It will be an easy matter to obtain sub- 

 stitutes for trees if patriotic Americans 

 will cease encouraging this forest de- 

 struction. 



THE SIROCCOS. 



John P. Brown in the Conservative. 



In Northern Africa are neither moun- 

 tain ranges nor forests, a tropic sun 

 pours its fierce rays upon the Libyan des- 

 ert sands and as the wind blows over the 

 desert it accumulates a \ast amount of 

 heat. .Meeting with no obstructions in 

 its onward flow across the desert and 

 then over the Mediterranean Sea, its 

 hot breath deals destruction to Malta, 

 Sicily and Italy. 



Either a range of mountains or a heavy 

 forest would deflect this hot current up- 

 wards ; mixing with the colder air of the 

 higher strata, the temperature would be 

 reduced and a colder current forced to 

 the surface. 



The Mexican sirocco has a clean sw^eep 

 as it moves northward over Texas, New 

 Mexico and Oklahoma, not a range of 

 mountains nor forest belt to obstruct its 

 passage. It reaches Kansas. Nebraska 

 and other states, accumulating heat all 

 the way, and those who have felt its 

 breath realize its terrible character. 



Extensive plantations of forest trees 

 in heavy east and west belts, esepecially 

 upon the higher ridges of the states along 

 its course, will be an effectual and only 

 relief. 



This can only be done by the combined 

 efforts of the national government, each 

 individual state and the farmers and land- 

 owners of the entire region, reduction of 

 taxation upon lands so planted in timber- 

 bounties by the national government, 

 seeds and trees to be supplied of suitable 

 character, and practical instruction by the 

 Forestry Bureau. When the landown- 

 ers are assured that practical forest plant- 

 ing means a profitable return in aftei 

 vears. and that the demand for good tim- 

 ber will always continue, they will be 

 willing to do their part as the statr^ and 

 nation do theirs. 



