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and weeping birch. They were only twelve feet apart and beginning to crowa each other, 
consequently in about three more years the two outer ones will be lop sided and the middle 
onea spindling scrub. I have seen thousands of fine trees ruined inthe same way. Indeed 
it is only in rare instances they are given sufficient room to display their natural beauty. 
I speak only of ornamental trees and will not encroach on forestry, at least, on this occasion. 
Another objectionable practice is that of clipping or trimming evergreen trees into 
various fanciful shapes. When trees are grown for ornament and given plenty of room 
they usually take a natural and graceful form, which is always more pleasing to those who 
have acquired a correct taste than any distortion that may be given by pruning. I have 
known some otherwise beautiful landscapes sadly marred by the stiff appearance of some 
barbered trees. 
Another common mistake is made in giving preference to all foreign species belonging 
to the same genera as some of our native trees. The European larch is of more graceful 
habit than our native tamarack, and the white birch, with its weeping varieties, is certainly 
more beautiful than any of our common birches ; but the European linden is not by any 
means preferable to our basswood as an ornamental tree, neither is the English elm for 
beauty or for shade to be compared with some of the varieties of our own white elm. 
Particularly is this noticeable on some of the streets in Toronto where the different species 
are growing on opposite sides of the street. The horse chestnut is a magnificent tree when 
grown to perfection, hut in my district it is too short-lived ; even if it lives for 30 or 40 
years it loses its beauty when branches begin to die. 
There is perhaps no tree more unsuitable for ornamentation than the silver poplar, 
(Chinese abele,) yet about many farm houses it is the only tree planted. When once 
planted it is there to stay, for it continuously sends up suckers enough to destroy every other 
kind of tree near by. The down it throws off, after flowering, is an abomination. The 
Lombardy poplar is admired by some, but it deserves no place on ornamental grounds. 
Whoever will plant poplars let them plant the aspen ; it possesses some beauty, but it 
would be folly to plant it unless for the sake of variety. 
When asked which of all trees I prefer for the ornamentation of a lawn I invariably 
recommend the cut-leafed weeping birch. I have lost many fine specimens of it through 
the depredations of the sap-sucker, (yellow-bellied woodpecker) yet if I had but room for 
one ornamental tree I would plant this one. Next I would prefer the purple birch, Weiss’ 
cut-leafed maple, European larch, red cedar, blue spruce and Norway spruce ; after that 
the European mountain ash, the Imperial cut-leafed alder, the basswood and the dogwood. 
On extensive grounds [ would of course plant a large variety and would include the yellow 
locust. The only objection to it is its tendency to send up suckers. The sweet perfume 
from its flowers in the month of June entitles it to a place on the pleasure grounds. 
The wild black cherry is seldom planted as an ornamental tree although it is remark- 
ably suitable for the purpose. It is beautiful in flower as well as in fruit. I have never 
seen it affected by the black knot, but have found it to be one of the most enduring. 
The hickories, as a class, are of slow growth while young, but their foliage is exceed- 
ingly beautiful. In exposed positions they endure and thrive well, while many other 
kinds would be injured. The ash-leafed maple is quite as hardy but it requires a richer 
and moister soil. Fora large growing, wide spreading tree for shade the common birch is 
unsurpassed. The white ash, when grown as a single specimen with plenty of room, is a 
noble tree, well suited for an extensive landscape. 
Many others might be added, but I fear I have already occupied too much of your valu- 
able time. I have mentioned nearly all the most beautiful of our native species, at least a 
sufficient number to make any country home as cheerful and beautiful as the most refined 
taste could desire. I believe one of the chief reasons why so many farmer’s homes look 
desolate is because the owners have become discouraged through the imposition of 
unscrupulous vendors who have urged the purchase and planting of trees utterly unsuit- 
able for locality and conditions. ° Nurserymen who allow their agents to sell unsuitable 
trees are also blamable and they make a mistake, because success with suitable trees would 
*ertainly lead to increased demand. I have been selling trees for 35 years and by selling 
