Summer Meeting. 69 



the hard maple, not the least of its attractions being the rich tints of the 

 leaves in autumn. And just here we would call attention to different 

 varieties of hard maple. On one lawn we recently noticed at least three 

 trees of entirely different habits of gTowth, and yet each was a hard 

 maple. On one tree the branches extended almost horizontally and the 

 general shape of the tree was very much like that of a pineapple, tapering 

 beautifully to the top. The other trees were entirely different, the 

 limbs being more upright in their growth. The first tree was a much 

 more rapid grower than the others. As the hard maple grows slowly, we 

 would plant soft maples also, the latter to be cut out when the trees of 

 slower growth will afford sufficient shade. If nut trees on the lawn are 

 desired, we would plant chestnut, and if fruit trees would plant the pear. 



When we consider tree planting along the streets we are confronted 

 with many hindrances. Those trees which need a great quantity of 

 moisture and a rich soil are at once dismissed. The hard maple will also 

 do well along the street, and it is extensively planted. Soft maple and 

 boxelders largely outnumber it, however, because of their more rapid 

 growth, though both are losing favor, because of the popular belief that 

 they are breeding places for the loathsome worms which at times covei; 

 the pavement beneath them. The elm is perhaps the best tree for street 

 planting. In the east it has been attacked by insects, and has succumbed 

 to their ravages in many places. If given opportunity to develop and 

 make a vigorous growth, however, the elm will be more able to resist 

 disease and insects, and for this reason the trees should not be crowded. 

 In many places the streets are so narrow that the elm can not be recom- 

 mended. Mr. Pape, of St. Louis, also calls attention to another diffi- 

 culty with the elm, which is that the downy surface of the leaves retains 

 dust, smoke and soot and are not easily cleansed by rains, and it also 

 sheds its leaves early in autumn. We have seen an avenue of catalpa 

 trees along the street which presented a beautiful appearance. For 

 rapid-growing trees, to be cut out when more desirable trees are of 

 sufficient size, the cottonwood can be used. 



In some cities there has been created the office of tree planter, whose 

 business it is to plant and care for shade trees along the streets, the cost 

 thereof to be taxed against the abutting property. While it may seem 

 somewhat arbitrary for the city government to say one shall plant trees 



