THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK. 



haps expressing the meaning better than any other. All coniferous trees 

 are not evergreens, as familiarly exemplified in the larch and the bald 

 cypress, both of which bear cones but lose their leaves every fall ; neither 

 are all evergreens coniferous, for one of the finest evergreens, the yew, 

 has a pulpy fruit and not a cone, so cannot be described as a cone-bearer. 

 The term coniferous evergreens, however, covers all but a very few of the 

 plants forming the subject of this lecture, which deals with the narrow- 

 leaved evergreens, and excludes from consideration all of the broad- 

 leaved evergreens, represented by the rhododendrons, box, hollies, and 

 like plants. 



The subject was divided into three parts: how to know the commoner 

 genera; how to cultivate these plants; and their use in the landscape. 

 Taking up the first part, the speaker described the structure of the leaves, 

 flowers and fruits. The characteristics of the commoner genera were in- 

 dicated, and the essential features separating closely related genera were 

 pointed out. 



In the matter of cultivation great stress was laid upon the necessity of 

 selecting species and varieties which were suitable to a given locality. 

 It is useless to choose those finding their best development in regions 

 where there is an abundant rainfall, with no dry season, and expect them 

 to do well and prove a delight in a section where opposite conditions 

 prevail. Under such circumstances nothing but disappointment could 

 result. Select species from a region, the climatic conditions of which 

 somewhat approximate those of your own neighborhood, if you expect 

 satisfactory results. In some cases a certain species may have a wide 

 distribution, extending over many degrees of latitude and through a wide 

 range of altitudes ; in such cases secure plants derived from that locality, 

 the climatic conditions of which most nearly resemble those of your own 

 neighborhood. 



The need of care in the selection of trees, if permanent results are ex- 

 pected, was emphasized. Secure transplanted stock, for the root-pruning 

 attendant upon the transplanting creates a large mass of roots. Then 

 insist upon having trees with but a single leader, and with even and sym- 

 metrical branches right down to the ground. 



As to where to plant evergreens, the best advice can be secured by 

 studying the habitats of the plants. Most coniferous evergreens grow in 

 colonies, where they protect each other, or among deciduous trees. This 

 is especially true of spruces, firs and hemlocks. Most pines prefer this 

 treatment also, but they are better able to stand isolated planting. 



Good drainage is a great necessity. Few evergreens can stand water 

 at the roots. Unless the soil is exceptional, it pays to replace that removed 

 in the process of hole-digging with a loose rich soil. This may take 

 more time and be more expensive, but it pays in the end. One of the 

 best top-dressings is nature's own — good leaf-mold and plenty of it. 

 Allow it to remain about the roots of the young trees and do not disturb 

 — if weeds appear, pull them out by hand. 



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