ANNUAL MEETING AT SAGINAW. 499 



the ferns at the base of the group, so as to be in full view from the win- 

 dows of the house. If the shrubs, like red osier, have a marked tint of wood 

 that harmonizes with the delicate green of the ferns, so much the better. 

 Nature does this grouping very nicely. 



Mr. Root illustrated the ease with which ferns are transplanted. He was 

 given the sphagnun on a marsh, if he would drain the water off permanently. 

 This he did and drew h >me a large pile of the moss. Upon all sides of this 

 there sprung up a wealth of fern fronds, making a most attractive mound. 

 The children of the neighborhood were allowed to come and take specimens 

 for their yards. These were transplanted with very little care, but rarely one 

 died. 



A rambling discussion ensued at this point, on transplanting and 

 pruning ornamental trees. The following points were made : The best 

 trees are those well grown in the nursery. In getting trees from the forest, 

 or in truth removing large tree-! from anywhere, it is well to prepare a year 

 ahead by cutting a trench about the tree and filling it with light litter. Then 

 by careful removal, the check is very slight. Because occasional instances 

 are recorded in which trees have been very carelessly handled and have lived, 

 is no excuse for making this the rule. Tamping the earth very firmly about 

 the roots is an important part of the work. There is more in the character 

 of the day than the season of the year for transplanting. 



Prof. Cook spoke of the importance of grouping trees naturally, even when 

 planting them along the highway, intermingling varieties to produce pretty 

 effects; and even saving an accompaniment of shrubbery about the boles of 

 the trees, is a point worth making. He asked if it was safe to transplant 

 evergreens from a distant nursery for transplanting. 



Mr. Lyon — Yes; if not too large and they are properly handled and trans- 

 ported. It should be remembered in transplanting that every mutila- 

 tion is a direct injury to the vitality of the tree. The ideal plan to fol- 

 low in growing trees is to plant the seeds where they are to grow and do all 

 pruning with the thumb and finger. 



Robert Graham — I would like to ask if it will pay to remove quite large 

 apple trees, say 15 years old, rather than sacrifice them? 



Prof. Bailey — My father has done this successfully and I certainly should 

 make the trial rather than lose good trees. 



Prof. Tracy — I have had experience in removing a considerable number of 

 quite large elms the past year. Of 120 that were removed under my per- 

 sonal supervision we lost but seven ; and in every case of loss I could properly 

 attribute it to exposure of the roots to frost without the accompanving pro- 

 tection of earth. The ordinary idea seems to be that if you will only give a 

 newly planted tree water enough your whole duty is done. I am satisfied 

 that more trees are lost from over watering than in most any other way. I 

 feel, too, that not sufficient attention is given to the bodies of the trees. 

 Really the body connecting the roots and leaves is the most sensitive part of 

 a newly transplanted tree; ad a careful winding with hay for protection 

 and a discreet watering of the body and branches is of the utmost importance. 



Mr. Peffer — I avoid allowing the roots to freeze or dry, make top and root 

 proportionate, and water discreetly. I rarely lose trees. This is the whole 

 secret of transplanting. 



Prof. Tracy — I want to enter my protest against this eastern cry that the 

 Norway Spruce is a failure as an ornamental tree. In Michigan we owe more 



