of Rural Ari and Taste. 



89 



Propagation and Culture of 

 Evergreens. 



Snmitel I'Jdwavfts heforc Jifixtern Iowa Ilorticul- 

 turnl Society. 



As a general rule, it is far better for inex- 

 perienced persons to buy plants than to at- 

 tempt growing them from seed. The constant 

 watching and care required until woody fiber 

 is formed, will seldom be given except by 

 those who maka a business of it. 



The soil of seed beds should be composed 

 largely of sand and well rotted leaf mould or 

 soil from the forest. It should be deeply 

 spaded, and well pulverized ; it is desirable 

 to have this done in the fall, that the seed 

 may be sown as soon as the surface of the 

 ground thaws in the spring, or even before, 

 if sand is laid by in the cellar for covering 

 to the depth of twice the diameter of the 

 seed. Four feet is a convenient width of 

 seed beds. The seed is sown broadcast at 

 the rate cf two-thirds of a pound to the rod 

 in length of bed, for seeds of the size of 

 Norway Spruce, Scotch Pine, and one and 

 one-third of a pound of European Larch — ■ 

 the latter requiring the same treatment as 

 evergreens. 



Partial shade must be given. If only a 

 small amount is sown, it is as convenient to 

 have it a foot above the ground. Where 

 there are several beds, it is best to elevate 

 the shade high enough to permit standing 

 erect beneath it. Brush or corn stalks may 

 be used for the shade. If the weather is 

 dry, occasional waterings must be given. 



Mice and other small animals are exceed- 

 ingly fond of the seed ; birds devour both 

 seed and young plants, requiring constant 

 watchings ; guns, traps and poison are often^ 

 used to prevent their depredations. 



If the plants are not far enough advanced 

 to have woody fiber formed before hot weath- 

 er, the dampness and heat causes a rotting 

 off" at the surface of the ground. By a liber- 

 al sowing of dry sand this rotting off is ar- 

 rested. 



At the setting in of winter, cover the beds 

 with an inch of leaves. It is well to give 

 this protection two following winters. Two 

 years seedlings are, if well grown, of size to 

 transplant to beds in rows a foot apart, six 

 inches in the row. 



Considering it an invaluable protection 

 from loss by drouth, I always puddle with 

 clay mortar, roots of all evergreens when 

 transplanted. Plants remain two years in 

 these beds, at which time they are removed 

 to the nursery, and put in rows two and a 

 half feet apart, or if intended for ornamen- 

 tal planting, set them wide enough to allow 

 free exposure of limbs ; if for the forest, set 

 close to induce rapid upright growth. After 

 two years alternate rows can be removed, 

 and it is advisable to root-prune as often as 

 once in two years, with Harkness & Over- 

 man's tree digger. 



To avoid injury or loss from drouth, al- 

 ways plant deeper than trees grow ; press 

 the dirt very firmly about the roots. Mulch- 

 ing is always advisable ; never use any 

 animal manure unless well rotted. Annual 

 mulching is preferred to any cultivation. 

 The losses attributed to severity of winter, 

 recently, but in my opinion occasioned by 

 drouth, would have been prevented by heavy 

 mulching. 



Arbor Vitaes, and many of the Junipers, 

 are easily propagated from cuttings six inches 

 long, planted two-thirds their length in the 

 ground; sand at the bottom, press firmly at 

 the bottom, and after treatment shade as 

 advised for seedlings. There is no liability 

 of loss by damping off. Latter part of May 

 or early in June, is the proper time for 

 planting. 



Roses.— The Rev. S. Reynolds Hole, 

 than whom there is no better judge nor more 

 devoted admirer of the Rose, says that for 

 cultivation under glass, Souvenir d'un A?ni 

 with its broad blushing petals and lustrous 

 leaves ; and Mart'chal Niel, in its golden 

 beauty, symmetrical form and exquisite 

 fragrance, are specially and invariably 

 beautiful. 



