1885.] AMERICAN THOUGHT- AND ACTION. 425 



in the rows IG feet, and apart from row to row 18 feet, and are in 

 the proportions as to number, of two wahiuts to one ash. 



THE BEAUTIFUL HOJIESTEAD. 



So much for the useful aspects of tree-planting; let "Zea Mays" 

 of the Mural JSfew Yorker show its testhetic side : — I do not 

 believe in shutting away the sunslaine from the house by many 

 large trees ; but I would have one near my kitchen door. If it 

 should also be near the dining-room, so much the better. There 

 are none near mine, however. Perliaps I will have one j)lfinted in 

 the fall. I have been thinking what to choose. It should be a 

 kind that will grow quickly ; I cannot afford to wait twenty years 

 for a sizeable tree. I shall be nearly through my kitchen work by 

 that time — perhaps quite done with it. The poplar is of rapid 

 growth. It has another good characteristic — it holds its foliage 

 well in the fall. Its shaking leaves interest me also. But they 

 have afforded me a symbol of those aspen souls that the slightest 

 breath of adverse winds set trembling. They have little courage to 

 face difBculty or danger. They are moral cowards that shrink when 

 they should be strong. Their wood is soft like a soft man. I like 

 the elm ! I am not sure but I shall have an elm. It grows fast, 

 droops gracefully, and the long, featliery plumes of its young 

 growtli are lovely. But it drops its foliage early, and stands so 

 long with naked branches ! Besides, it never puts on an autumn 

 glory like the maple or the beech. The soft maple, if it Iiappens 

 to be one of the best specimens, is a great favourite of mine. For 

 two weeks of its yearly life it may give us a picture sucli as 

 Eaphael never -put on canvas. I can only express its beauty by 

 what I have said somewhere before : It stands like a burning 

 sunset. Perhaps I may have a soft maple near my door. 



HOW TO TEACH HORTICULTURE. 



" What has he done ? " was the criterion of the great N"apoleon 

 when the merits of a great unknown general were laid before 

 him. When much theory is being talked and written about the 

 higher forestry teaching, it may be interesting to know what 

 Professor Lazenby, of the State University, Oliio, has done in the 

 Horticultural Department of which he is in charge. Observation 

 and practice are required to supplement and emphasize the instruc- 

 tion of the class-room. 



The following is a brief summary of the means of illustration 

 and instruction at the disposal of students : — 



