278 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



SHADE TREES. 



BY I. N. COTTON, IND7ANAPOLIS. 



The selection of slmfle ti'ees is a very important matter, for a good 

 shade tree is not obtained in a few days, months or years. Therefore, we 

 should be careful what we plant, looking to the future as well as the 

 present, and plant trees that will be durable. There are many points to 

 be looked after in a good shade tree. First, durability; second, beauty in 

 the symmetry and density of the top, and its natural propensity to grow 

 compact, without much trimming, and that it does not drop its leaves 

 until frost comes, for the tree that sheds its leaves all summer is a 

 nuisnnce as a shnde tree. 



Much depends on the kind of soil the tree is to l)e planted in, for the 

 forest tree only grows to perfection in certain soils. If you have a damp 

 clay soil you may plant the soft maple, for it is at home there; but on a 

 dry, sandy soil it is a failure. For example, see the soft maple in Indian- 

 apolis, where it is a failure on this dry sandy soil, while in Lel)anon, 

 Boone County, on its damp clay soil it succeeds well. In their native 

 haunts you find them in the wet clay soils, or in some low bottom land 

 where the roots reach water. The sugar or hard maple is a native of a 

 dry sandy soil, and on this kind of land you find all the sugar orchards 

 of this country. The linden also gi'ows in a black sandy soil and is a 

 fair shade tree. 



What to plant on small grounds and on city and town lots? I would 

 plant the sugar and the Norway maple, and little else. in dry sandy soil; 

 perhaps a few lindens, for on forty feet lots you should have trees grow 

 uniform in shape and height to look Avell. In larger grounds and parks 

 you may plant a larger variety. The white elm, when older, has a weep- 

 ing appearance that is pleasing to the eye. 



I'lant no tree tliat is scarred or scrubby and has not an upright top. 

 For an example of what you do not want see the Marion County court 

 house yard. The trees in it look as if they had been taken from third- 

 class culls. Trim your trees well up when you set them, at least eight 

 feet distant from the gi'ound to the limbs; do not increase. All trees 

 grow from' the outer ends of the limbs and not from the base. By 

 trimming well up you have a better circulation of air, a better lawn and 

 a better chance for flowers and shrubs, and it will be more pleasant to 

 yourself than wliere you 'have to stoop your head to got under its shade. 

 liCt your trees grow well up, for the cozy cottage or the stately mansion 

 looks more artistic through the green leaves and is cooler and more 

 healthy than where the sun beams directly upon your house. Cut in 

 straggling limbs and balance the top Avell when setting, but spare the 



