of Hural Art and Taste. 



305 



Here, then, is a living monument for the 

 man of science to study ; absurd as it may 

 seem, there are hundreds who will unhesitat- 

 ingly vouch for the truth of this statement. 

 Volumes of gas and smoke escape at the 

 drawing and recharging of the retorts, a large 

 portion of which passes between the leaves 

 and branches without molesting them the 

 least. 



Flowers and shrubs thrive in the vicinity 

 of the gas work, and we have seen a large 

 group of the finer species of bedding plants 

 perfecting their foliage and blossoms with 

 health and vigor in the distance of sixteen 

 feet from the gas purifier. 



In the suburbs of this city a gas apparatus 

 is surrounded by cherry trees ; escaping gas 

 and smoke pass between the branches and 

 leaves continually, yet these trees bear a 

 heavy crop of fruit annually. The writer has 

 time and again stood on the roof of this gas 

 house and picked baskets full of rich and 

 juicy cherries from the surrounding branches. 



What is it then that we are to attribute 

 that sickly, shriveled condition of trees in this 

 city to ? The pretending scientist will answer 

 gas, while the more rational practicer will 

 answer dirt, soot and dust, washed by driz- 

 zling rains into the interstices of the bark, 

 stifling the pores and thereby depriving the 

 trees of their breathing facilities. Why not 

 economize a portion of the water so lavishly 

 wasted in cleansing the pavement under those 

 dirty trees ? Why not direct the nozzle of 

 the hose towards them ? they are stifled and 

 gasping for breath — let the water play with 

 force against the bark, leaves and branches. 

 This will animate new life, encourage growth, 

 health and vigor, and help to dislodge any 

 pests that are inclined to feed on the foli- 

 age. 



The Gardejier's Monthly enlightens us in 

 following mode : Trees die for want of nourish- 

 ment, boing planted on sidewalks that have 

 been graded up with coal ashes and other 

 refuse, without suflacient soil being put to 

 support them — they grow a little at first, and 

 then gradually dwindle away. 



We have seen trees grow luxuriantly in 

 20 



coal yards, where cart loads of coal dust could 

 be shoveled ofi" their roots. We can also 

 affirm from practical experiences, that refuses 

 of lime, mortar, saw dust, wood chips, shav- 

 ings, etc., mixed in the grade with sand, 

 ashes, muck, clay, street sweepings and other 

 rubbishes when packed together under the 

 pavement for a few years will rival the loam 

 of the forest in maintaining the life and 

 vitality of trees. Speaking from a practical 

 standpoint, we can also confidently assert, that 

 trees once taken root in these accumulated 

 ingredients will dwindle away only when 

 stricken with disease from dirt, dust and 

 soot. 



'I'he Gardener''s Monthly is inclined to 

 condemn the Tulip poplar and Magnolia 

 acummata on account of their obstinacy to bear 

 a successful transplanting. Quite obstinate, 

 we will agree, moreover, if laid on the side- 

 walk for half a day to bleach and then stuck 

 in the ground close to the curb stone like 

 lamps or hitching posts by some quack forester. 

 The Gardiner's Monthly further assures us 

 that Lindens, Maples and Chestnuts are sure 

 victims to insects, worms, etc., and again adds, 

 that Paper mulberry and Silver poplars should 

 be discarded in consequence of their tendency 

 to lean over and heave pavements. 



Worms like to dwell among dirty things, 

 you know. Use the hose ; a strong stream of 

 water will exterminate both pests and dirt, 

 and float them safely into the sewer. The 

 irregular tendency of the P. mulberry and S. 

 poplar may be attributed to injudicious plant- 

 ing ; as the trees grow old their roots cram 

 the space between the curb stone and base- 

 ment wall of the buildings. Street tree 

 planters should learn how to sink the roots of 

 trees below the lower edge of the curbstone, 

 thus inducing the trees to extend their roots 

 under the whole street. 



'Tis now prudent for us to pause with a 

 view to economize space, hoping The Hor- 

 ticulturist, as well as thousands of its 

 readers, will agree that the first thing to be 

 considered in this much agitated city tree 

 question, is the cleansing of the trees. 



Ci?icin7iati, Ohio. 



