228 State Horticultural Society. 



ties of growing these plants in such unfavorable situations with proper 

 attention. Probably fewer mistakes are made in the selection of varie- 

 ties and the work of planting the young trees than the other necessary 

 and constant attention which is subsequently required. However it 

 seems desirable to call attention to a few kinds which are among the 

 best and which were reported to Coleman's Rural World a few weeks 

 since. 



The list of trees known to be well suited for street planting in St. 

 Louis is very limited. The qualities essential for a good street tree 

 are that they must be able to endure the smoky or othei^wise impure at- 

 mosphere of the city, grow in poor soil, and not be sensitive to neglect 

 or abuse by improper pruning or careless mutilation. Furthermore 

 people are usually anxious for immediate effect and therefore w^ant 

 a rapid growing tree as well as one prominent for good looks and free 

 from the attacks of insects or fungus pests. There is probably no tree 

 that fulfills all of these requirements, but the one which seems to pos- 

 sess the greater number of good qualities for St. Louis is the American 

 sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) . It grows rapidly, is easily trans- 

 planted, and can probably stand more severe pruning than any other 

 tree. This is the most commonly planted sort in the older and more 

 thickly settled portion of our city. 



The silver maple (Acer dasycarpum) is also very common, even 

 more generally'- planted than the sycamore in many parts of the city. 

 It grows quite rapidly, is very decorative when in leafj and is quite 

 long lived. This tree is more sensitive to gases and smoke than the 

 sycamore and will not stand as severe pruning. Its dense mass -of 

 foliage with the silvery color on the under side of the leaves is very 

 effective. 



The Cottonwood, or Carolina poplar (Populus monilifera) is oc- 

 casionally planted. It is one of the most rapid growing sorts we have 

 and where immediate effect is the most important item this is very de- 

 sirable. It soon forms a large, handsome tree, but is comparatively 

 short lived, and the branches are easily broken by high winds. When 

 possible only the staminate specimens should be selected, as the blossoms 

 of the pistilate ones are constantly falling to the ground during the 

 flowering season. 



