MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 363 



trunks of the trees and covering up the surface roots with earth was 

 destructive to health ; but the burning by itself is not the reason trees 

 die when earth is piled over them to a considerable depth, but from 

 the fact that the young growing roots do not get air. These young, 

 growing roots are almost all at the extremities, and the mound of earth 

 around the trunk would not in the slightest degree injure these outer 

 roots. Whenever a valued tree is somewhat buried, it is customary to 

 leave a space around the trunk, perhaps building a dry wall, in order 

 to keep the earth from getting near the trunk ; but this is not that the 

 earth is injurious, but to give a chance for water to tiow freely down 

 into the soil, and the How of water always leads to a flow of air follow- 

 ing the water. 



These remarks are suggested by an article in an agricultural paper, 

 stating that the apple-borer and the peach-borer have been kept out of 

 the trunk of trees by making a mound of earth around the trunks. — 

 Arkansas Farmer. 



It is doubtful if this plan is a good one. It better be tested be- 

 fore you depend upon it. My experience has been just the opposite. 



Secretary. 



The Nursery — Its Importance. 



The census bureau gives us the following interesting figures : 

 The number of nurseries in the United States is 4510. Their value is 

 estimated at $41,987,835. They occupy 172,806 acres of land ; the cap- 

 ital invested is $52,425,669. Employment is given to 45,657 men and 

 2279 women. Certainly this is a remarkably good showing, resulting 

 as it does from about fifty years' work, and still the nursery business 

 is constantly growing and spreading in every direction, and there is 

 practically no limit to the call for trees and plants. I venture to say 

 that there is no industry which has done more for mankind and the 

 country at large than this great enterprise. 



To deny the nursery a high position among the most important and 

 beneficial industries of the land would be to withhold it from its just 

 dues. Think of the vast amount of trees, plants, shrubs, vines, etc., 

 which the nurseries of this country send out each year. Visit a por- 

 tion of the country which is well planted with nursery stock and one 

 that is not, and notice the difference. This will in some degree im- 

 press upon the mind the great value and usefulness of the nursery. 

 People must have these plain facts brought before them to realize and 

 see that they are of vital importance to the country. 



