346 State Horticultural Society. 



Fashion has made it customary to plant trees in straight lines. 

 Nature plants in groups. The straight lines of trees around our city 

 blocks make spite fences over which neither we or our neighbor can 

 tsee ; groups of trees set partly on the home lawn, with groups of shrubs 

 between, do not shut out light and air, give view points to and from the 

 bome and enhance the real value of a home. Many beautiful views are 

 destroyed by planting trees in rows; and two, three and six rows only 

 make the matter worse. Look at some of the beautiful river views 

 that have been destroyed in the northeast portion of our city. Trees 

 in straight lines are neither beneficial, beautiful nor artistic. How we 

 do love to get away from these formal lines and ride on country roads 

 where nature has taught us real lessons in art. 



The following poem throws light on another cause for failure : 



Hidden'beaeath a partial shade, 

 Grew some flowers in leafy glade; 

 Beauty and grace, combined were tiiey, 

 When these we found on a summer's day. 



[ dug a few plants and took them home. 



And planted in partial shade and loam ; 



When fear I allowed to come and say, 



"I doubt if they'll grow, but I hope they may." 



They withered and died, these little flowers, 

 And [ said, "Twas lack of their shaded bowers." 



My neighbor just across the way 

 Took others home on that very same day; 

 Planted in shade and loam were they. 

 To blossom each year from early May. 



I wondered as I saw her's bloom; 

 What made my flowers whither so soon. 

 Bo I've studied and read, just how to do, 

 And the more I read, I learnd something new. 



Now I've learned the secret of how hers grew, 

 'Twas Doubt and Fear that she never knew. 

 Now don't, I pray, let this Doubt and Fear 

 Mar your prosperous and happy New Year. 



OUR BEST ORNAMENTAL TREES. 



(By B. G. Rau, Superintendent of Parks, St. Joseph, Mo.) 



We have different classes of ornamental trees, some with colored 

 leaves, with green leaves, the flowering, weeping, and evergreen. Among 

 the first mentioned, one is the best for the middle west — the golden 

 poplar for yellow, which is a thrifty grower, holds its color during 

 nearly the entire summer and furnishes the most beautiful contrast with 



