146 MISSOURI STATE HORTICTLTURAL SOCIETY. 



remarkable and (owing to its large leaves) produces a dense shade. It 

 also possesses the rare merit of producing wood that for durability is 

 surpassed by no other tree, not even by the Mulberry. It is 

 especially good for fence posts and is now being manufactured into 

 very fine furniture. There are several varieties of this tree, but so far 

 the Speciosa seems to be preferred, perhaps from the fact that it grows 

 more rapidly and is generally straighter than any of the other varie- 

 ties. The Norway Maple in some of its varieties is, where the soil and 

 other conditions are suitable, a most beautiful tree, even surpassing, in 

 the estimation of many, the sugar or hard maple. But it is an open 

 question with us as to whether it will succeed here and attain that 

 great beauty which characterizes it in certain localities east and north 

 of us. It seems to do exceptionally well in St. Louis and can be seen 

 in great beauty in Tower Grove and other parks in that city. But 

 whether it will do so well on grounds not thoroughly underdrained is 

 a question which so far has not been fully answered. 



There are many varieties of the birch, some of which deserve a 

 place in all cases where it is desirable to plant a large collection of 

 trees. The white cut leaved birch will always attract the attention wher- 

 ever it is found. It is a tree of rare beauty and symmetry, and has other 

 peculiarities which will always attract the attention and admiration 

 of those who are truly lovers of the beautiful. The Alanthus and Syca- 

 more are not desirable trees on localities where finer trees can be 

 grown. But in many large cities it has been ascertained that these 

 trees can be successfully grown where all of the more desirable varie- 

 ties fail. These are among the few varieties which can survive the 

 deleterious influences of coal smoke and other poisonous gases which 

 accumulate in large cities. 



But are we to be left without the cheering presence of green trees 

 and shrubs in winter? Must we pass through that cold and cheerless 

 season with ndthing to relieve the stale monotany which characterizes 

 the winters in this latitude ? The answer is plain and can be antici- 

 pated by you all. We have in this country a large number of ever- 

 greens, embracing nearly every conceivable form and color. In addi- 

 tion to our native varieties we have many kinds introduced from for- 

 eign lands, most of which do well with us. Of the evergreens in gen- 

 eral use, those which give the greatest satisfaction are as follows : 

 Norway Spruce, American White Spruce, Balsam Fir, Hemlock Spruce 

 and White Fine. The Englihh, Sweedish and Irish Junipers are all 

 fine and reliable and are indispensable, when the finest effects are de- 

 sired. For certain special purposes the Scotch and Austrian pines are 

 indispensable. The most common and fatal mistake made in the 



