INDIANA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 281 



trees upon the Imuiaii mind and heart that the poets and sacred writers 

 not infrequently imagine tlie woods to become vocal, and participating 

 in the delights they impart, lift up their voices in praise and gratitude. 

 To the works of art we can give length, breadth and thickness; we can 

 also color them with appropriate shades; but who can measure the pro- 

 ductions of nature in the varieties of her trees? Who sketch with such 

 matchless skill? The painter may select individual objects— a lofty tower, 

 an ancient castle and the larger creations of landscape. These he may, by 

 a judicious disposition of his materials, form into an entire whole, but the 

 effect is one, it changes not with the seasons. 



Shade trees are especially for the shade they afford. As adjuncts, 

 then, to the beautiful home they should be so disposed as to afford shade 

 where it is desired, and not elsewhere. The writers of fiction can describe 

 their distribution better than I can. As the story goes they are usually 

 found where lovers chance to meet. In cities, trees that gTow to a great 

 size should not be used. In villages and country homes the inhabitants 

 may have a wider selection. Here elms and hard maples, beech, sycamore 

 and lindens. The oaks, walnuts, and hickory may have full scope to 

 grow and spread, giving shade and adding grandeur to the scenery. 



It is one of the pleasant features of farm life that the home may be 

 shaded with varieties that in time will become giants, and yet which 

 will, while gi'owing, shade the lawn about the homestead and furnish a 

 grateful resting place from the noonday heat, or a pleasant place where 

 the family may gather after the labors of the day to enjoy the sum- 

 mer's twilight while engaged in pleasant chat, or listening to the evening 

 song of the birds which are drawn thither. 



"Who raised on high yon lofty mountains brow? 



From the dry rock who made the waters flow 



So clear and artless — pouring through the plain 

 Health to the sick and solace to the swain? 



Who made those trees in majesty to rise? 



The great Creator, nature all replies." 



THE SHADE TREE. 



BY W. C. FREEMAN, SECRETARY STATE BOARD FORESTRY. 



The shade tree is an object that is attracting a great deal of attention 

 now from both the people of the city and the country. The things which 

 gi-eatest concern them are the selection of species, propagation and care 

 in the various features. The tree planting spirit and habit is without 

 question better established in the city, but the people of our rural com- 



