STATE HOETIOULTTJEAL SOCIETY. 185 



they are planted, and the victims are naturally discouraged and 

 lose their interest in tree planting because they don't grow. 

 Again, millions of young trees and cuttings, shipped by careful, 

 conscientious men, who know their business, are unaccountably 

 delayed in transit, arriving at destination in a damaged condition. 

 Railroad managers and freight agents ought to make a memoran- 

 dum of this, 'as the losses occasioned thereby are particularly 

 aggravating, and arouse the most bitter feeling qgainst the rail- 

 roads. The damage to and total loss of the trees themselves are 

 wholly insignificant in comparison to the losses involved in their 

 delay; for a man can plant damaged trees on his tree claim if he 

 can get them in time, but if they are delayed too long on the rail- 

 roads, his claim, worth anywhere from $50 to |1,500 is in jeopardy 

 for the want of $30 or $40 worth of trees which he has bought 

 and paid for, railroad freight included, and he must resort 

 the most degrading and contemptible artifices to hold his claim. 

 As a railroad employe, and as an independent citizen, and acting 

 in both capacities, it is my duty to call the attention of the proper 

 authorities to the necessity of reform in this behalf. 



PLANT DEEP, 



and press the loose earth so firmly about the roots as to prevent 

 any cavities, and any circulation of air among the roots. This 

 process also assists in retaining the moisture, and thus lessens the 

 danger from drought. Unless the weather is unusually wet, it is 

 a good practice to make a puddle of mud and water of the con- 

 sistency of gem-cake batter, into which the roots of the young 

 tree should be thrust. At all times during the planting season, 

 keep on your guard against the withering effects of sun and wind 

 on the roots. Do not permit the least exposure in this direction 

 that can possibly be avoided, and Avhen it comes to evergreens, bear 

 in mind that, owing to the resinous nature of the sap, what an 

 inexperienced man would consider but a very slight exposure is 

 usually fatal. From my own experience in fishing, I am satisfied 

 that a brook trout will live out of water about as long as an ever- 

 green will live with its roots exposed to the sun. 



WHAT VARIETIES TO PLANT. 



A good general rule is to plant those varieties that are indigen- 

 ous to your locality, or as near as you can find them. In going 

 from the big woods of Minnesota to the foot hills of the Rocky 

 mountains, one variety after another drops out until our choice is 



