Spruce, unquestionably our most valuable conifers, the White Pine, and numerous 

 others that have been tried, and which, on reference to the former pages of this 

 work, will be found to have proved hardy as far north as Northern New York and 

 Canada, would soon make up a list of sufficient variety to give the character of a 

 pinetura, where the winter winds would only penetrate to utter those harp-like 

 sounds that are so musical to the attuned ear. Shelter and beauty can thus be 

 combined in any climate of our Union ; at the South, by a greater variety ; at 

 the North and West, by greater numbers of the same kinds. But do not let us 

 hear, as we did the other day, that "the planting of evergreens is a humbug," 

 because one or two specimens that much was expected from had partially failed ; 

 they were planted in a most exposed situation, and, probably, without proper care ; 

 to have a good collection of evergreens, you must give attention to the wants of 

 the plant in many ways ; two of these are, shelter while they are young, suitable 

 soil, and plenty of it. 



It is a question not often mooted, whether evergreens do or do not require the 

 same cutting back as deciduous trees, when removed. Our own experience indi- 

 cates that a slight trimming is useful. The mode of operation on the Norway fir, 

 for instance, is this : Cut back the limbs of last year's growth, using the dis- 

 solved shell-lac on cuts, and leaving the leader untouched. The effect is the same 

 as that on deciduous trees, with this additional advantage : the plant throws out 

 at least two — probably more — leading limbs, and the result is that of thickening 

 the growth, and Improving the appearance. For the sake of experiment, we 

 carried this system to as great an extent, with a single specimen, as possible ; ere 

 many years elapsed, the limbs became so heavy with numerous branches, that they 

 broke with their own weight. Others, cut back once in every three years, have 

 attained rare beauty and a close habit. 



One of the peculiarities attending a place newly planted, w^e have never seen 

 noticed by any writer. A tree recently set out always looks as if it were not at 

 home ; it is not in keeping with its new position, or, rather, it has not yet appro- 

 priated the position to itself ; hence, for the first few years of a new place, the 

 planting has an unnatural look that is often the source of disappointment. In 

 time, however, the trees put on a life-like garb, that appropriates the space as 

 their own, and they seem to fit into their niches so naturally, that they are scarcely 

 noticed by the careless observer ; they are now at home, and part and parcel of 

 the scenery. If the ground has been thoroughly trenched, you need not wait many 

 years for good results. 



The first year or two of the suburban residence, where all the trees are new, 

 are thus not without their discouragements, and hence it is a good plan to 

 procure a few specimens of greater size, even though they are not of the most 

 valuable kinds, and to displace them one by one as better grow up. A few varie- 

 ties bear removal with more success than others ; the Horsechestnut is patient 

 even under ill-treatment ; the Silver Maple may be taken up without material 

 injury; the Willow, if planted in made ground, or ground that is loose and moist, 



