Secretary's Budget. 305 



OENAMENTALS. 



PRESERVATION OF THE LEADIXG SHOOTS OF EVERGREElSrS. 



One of the false impressions that have long prevailed Avith 

 much force and endurance, is the alleged necessity of preserving 

 the top shoots of evergreens. Birds are looked upon with appre- 

 hension and disgust as the}^ press destructive feet on this valuable 

 growth. Stakes are even used to support such important elements 

 of liealth and symmetry ; and the purchaser who seeks choice spec- 

 imens, carefully avoids all evergreens that have lost their leaders, 

 almost superstitiously regarding it as impossible that the lost, in 

 this case, can ever return. 



What are the real facts of the case as indicated by intelligent 

 experience ? Simply that the destruction of the leading shoot is 

 often an actual benefit to the tree when its aspiring habits become 

 too strong, and that, so far from birds fatally injuring the symmetry 

 of trees by breaking the topmost shoots, cases happen frequently 

 where the preservation of symmetry has been largely due to the 

 action of their little feet. 



As long as the leader grows in due proportion to the rest of the 

 tree, its presence is most necessary : but, unfortunately, this up- 

 ward tendency, when excessive, seems to draw away the sap from 

 properly doing its work in the tree^s lower portions, or, in other 

 words, destroys the equilibrium. Diminished gi-owths then appear 

 at tlie base, exhibiting irregular, open spaces in the foliage whicli 

 in that part should be most dense. The growth, forced aloft, be- 

 comes concentrated farther and farther up the tree, until all sym- 

 metry is destroyed, and we behold a monstrosity, where we had 

 gloried only a few years before in perfect proportion and grace. 

 Silver Firs are especially liable to this tendency, and consequently 

 are apt to possess their highest beauty at a comparatively early 

 age. 



An efficient remedy may be applied to all evergreens by prun- 

 ing such shoots during youth, until a satisfactory base is acquired, 

 when a very occasional removal of the offending member will read- 

 ily prevent deformity. The fear which sometimes exists that the 

 amputated leader will never return, is perfectly groundless ; 

 although, when the operation is performed on a plant of consider- 

 able age, reappearance may be delayed for several years. This de- 



