r>10 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



are to return to him shade and comfort for his labor. Too 

 often are they thrust into holes barely large enough to con- 

 tain their roots, while they are left to care for themselves, 

 or more likely die. 



For ornamental plantations it is far better to purchase the 

 trees outright of some reliable nurseryman, remembering 

 that in this climate a northern nursery is the best from which 

 to make such selections. For him who is to make an eco- 

 nomic plantation, another source is available ; provided, how- 

 ever, that time is of less importance than money. He may 

 purchase or raise his own seedling trees, which, after three 

 or five years' care in nursery beds, may be finally set out in 

 the plantations. 



For ornamental trees, planted singly or in rows, the soil 

 should most generally be removed to a depth of four feet, 

 from a space some eight feet in diameter, unless the natural 

 soil is particularly favorable. For the plantation on level 

 ground, trenching to a depth of three feet will alone secure 

 the best results. The time and money expended is well in- 

 vested, for a large outlay in the beginning is often the cheap- 

 est and quickest way to insure the best success. 



Two things are to be avoided : planting trees too thickly, 

 and the improper mixing of species. The intermingling 

 of different species in a plantation may be tolerated, and, 

 under certain circumstances, is an advantage ; but, for orna- 

 mental planting in streets or roadsides, the efi'ect is always 

 best to adhere to one sort of tree. 



Many otherwise fine streets in our cities and towns are 

 ruined by the neglect of this rule, and even for lawns and 

 yards it must be remembered that a few good specimens of 

 two or three sorts is more dignified and satisfactory than a 

 crowded array of different varieties. How many places are 

 marked in our memory to-day by the recollection of one 

 fine Elm, Horse Chestnut, Maple or Oak. It is not possible 

 here to treat of many things which present themselves in 

 considering this subject. The separate questions of soil, 

 methods of planting, treatment of hillsides and of rocky 

 lands, each require a volume for themselves. The subject 

 of tree pruning, too, is one of as much importance as tree 

 selection or tree planting, and for success in either a knowl- 



