374 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



curve in a drive so it ^vill ai^pear us tlioii^h tlie drive was made to go around 

 the trees. It is bad taste to plant close screens along the sides of the drives, 

 unless there is some very disagreeable view to cut off. Even then it will 

 usually be better to cut off the view by irregular and broken groups. 



Trees should not be set near a house ; large trees not nearer than thirty or 

 forty feet, especially on the south and east sides of the house. In planting the 

 farmer often forgets that the Norway spruce, Scotch pine, white pine, hem- 

 ock spruce and others, will some day become large trees, if they live and 

 thrive. lie sets a little spruce near the house or before the window, not 

 thinking what a change ten or twenty years will bring forth. The trees grow ; 

 he becomes interested in them. They move upward and. outward a little each 

 year. They seem like dear friends, and although they shade his house and 

 shut out the light and the view, he is loth to remove them. They run up in a 

 crowded position. The bowed limbs become thin and scraggy and the tree 

 loses much of its beauty. The owner doesn't know what to do. If cut down, 

 there will be an open space so the unsightly thing is allowed to have its own 

 way. The best way then, is to look ahead a few years and only plant pine 

 trees where they may be needed twenty years hence. For immediate effect, if 

 the man has plenty of nerve, it will do to set trees of almost any rapid grow- 

 ing sorts in quite thickly. This should never be done unless the owner thinks 

 he has a will strong enough to remove the poorest trees as soon as they begin 

 to crowd and before they injure the choicer specimens. The balsam fir is 

 very good to mix in wnth other trees, as it is a beautiful tree till about seven- 

 teen years old, then it grows slowly and the lower limbs begin to die. It may 

 then be cut out to leave room for more beautiful trees. 



CULTIVATION OF TKEES,' 



We will suppose the trees have been well planted and that with this opera- 

 tion the interest of the owner will not cease. Let him run a one-horse cultiva- 

 tor around among the trees, keeping the land well tilled for a space of at least 

 eight feet from the trees. Let him cultivate all summer for the first four or 

 five years, until the trees get well established. It will do him good and every 

 one else who sees them to observe their thrifty growth. After this cultivation 

 the land may be left to grass without any harm. On very strong land the 

 cultivation will not be needed for as long a time as on thinner or poorer land. 

 Trees may be mulched instead of cultivated, but the mulch should be five or 

 six inches deep and extend five feet each way from the tree. If well culti- 

 vated, especially early in the season after they are planted, there will be no 

 need of mulcli. 



THI^STN^ING EVEKGREEi^S. 



For screens to the southwest of the barn or dwelling house, the evergreens 

 may be allowed to have their own way without any trimming. For some 

 I'cason or other, I hardly know what, tliere is a common notion tiiat ever- 

 greens should not be trimmed or will not bear trimming. There is no greater 

 mistake. Many trees when standing by themselves witli plenty of room can- 

 not be improved by trimming. This beauty generally arrives at its greatest 

 perfection in twelve to twenty years, depending on the kind of tree. To keep 

 evergreens beautiful with a thrifty look for a long time they should be 

 trimmed. This trimming may be done in spring or summer, or in fact at any 

 time of year. Clip the young branches with sheep shears or a pruning knife. 



