220 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. ■ . 



sponge. Immediately I dug a ditch about twelve feet inside the trees, 

 putting it down deep enough to cut off all the roots. Then I spaded 

 the ground and had one of the finest gardens in the neighborhood. But 

 would the trees give up? By no means! The ditch which had been 

 filled must be opened again for the whole invading army had passed 

 over to possess the land. When I left the next man let them have 

 their way and had to give up gardening. 



We talk about trusts and monopolies. There is a good deal of hu- 

 man nature in a huge elm or cottonwood; they want the earth and 

 will have it. You can do little with land within reach of a vigorous 

 cottonwood. A strong tree will absorb the strength of several town lots 

 and though the tree is on your neighbor's grounds it is getting in its 

 work on yours just the same. Neighbors are not always careful in this 

 matter. I have known a big tree in front of a man's house to invade 

 the grounds of the neighbors on either side and there was no use in try- 

 ing to raise anything. My neighbor plants a tree or a row of them 

 a few feet from the line. If I have a rich garden they get over one-half 

 their nourishment from my side. If he does not cut them down I must 

 support them. The only remedy for me is to run a ditch on my land 

 and cut off the Invading roots. This is my privilege and it is bettei 

 than a quarrel, for no one can dispute my right. In the meantime the 

 tree goes on the theory that possession is nine points in law and does 

 not care a snap for surveyor's lines, fences or warranty deeds. 



At one time I was speaking on this subject before the horticultural 

 society of Worcester, Mass. After the meeting, the president, that 

 veteran horticulturist, O. B. Baldwin, said: "I was glad you touched 

 on that subject for here is an illustration: I had a row of apple trees 

 which of course were throwing out their roots for sustenance in every 

 direction. Some distance from the row I had occasion to dig a trench 

 and fill it with manure well mixed with earth for a row of pieplant. A 

 year or two after I had occasion to dig out the trees and to my amaze- 

 ment I found those roots once headed in another direction had turned, 

 some going under the trees and some beside them, the whole root sys 

 tern intent on getting to that trench." That was wonderful and shows a 

 degree of intelligence worthy of the animal kingdom. What instinct 

 guides that great army of foragers in their quest for food? Who told 

 them of that trench that they made such haste to reach it? Thinking 

 of these things you can almost claim relationship and clasping an out- 

 reaching limb give it a good hearty shake, and say "How-do-yon-do. 

 my brother." 



BUSY WOKKEKS "THE I.ABOl! Of TllK OLIVE" KlBi.E. 



-Man is the climax of nature, of law, and Providence. All things con- 

 verge towards him. He is royal and has been twice crowned. Once "with 

 riches and honor," and again, "with loving kindness and tender mercies." 

 For him the fields toil and the great stretches of grain turn to silver and 



