THe JOURNAI9 



OF 



Yfie department of 



NEW yoKK 

 °*' BOTANICAL 



VICTORIA. ^^.n^^f^' 



Vol. VIII. Part 7. Uth July, 1910. 



TREE PLANTING FOR THE BEAUTIFYING OF CITIES 



AND TOWNS. 



A. W. Crooke, late Acting Conservator of Forests, and J. Blackburne, 



Inspector of Forests. 



Although the adornment of our streets and roads with shade trees 

 may not strictly be called forestry, we crave the indulgence of our readers 

 when we place before them a few remarks and suggestions upon what is 

 really a very important matter, bearing, as it does in so many directions, 

 upon the comfort, health, and happiness of a large proportion of the 

 inhabitants of this State. Many mistakes have been made in the past by 

 planting unsuitable and unsightly trees in the streets of our towns, but it 

 may safely be assumed that the lessons taught by such errors should only 

 lead to future successes. Then, again, if failure has come in some 

 instances, magnificent results have been achieved in others, as may be seen 

 from the accompanying photographs. And what of the men who planted 

 these trees? Their good work is. we know, fully and gratefully 

 appreciated by the present generation, and they have also created for 

 future ones " the joy that unborn eyes shall see." Surely the memory of 

 these benefactors will always be kept fresh and green in the hearts of the 

 people they have done so much for. 



Have shade trees an influence in moulding the character and habits 

 of the populace ? Some scientific writers assert that they most assuredly 

 have, and maintain that the quiet, contented and social manners of the 

 inhabitants of tlie Dutch and of some German cities, are caused, in a 

 measure, by the planting, long ago. of trees in the streets. 



These trees are often surrounded by a railing or seat, and here on the 



hot summer evenings, in the grateful shade afforded, the father of the 



family may be seen comfortably smoking, holding friendly confab with 



his neighbours, and discussing with them the politics of the day, while 



the housewife still keeping a vigilant eye on her children, is busily work- 



C:^ ing at her knitting and gossipping with her cronies. Everything breathes 



cri peace, contentment and happiness. There is none of the feverish fight 



for " appearances "' .so characteristic of treeless towns in other lands. 



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