280 AlflfUAL REPORT 



ber of hardy trees and shrubs from their great stock, I must add 

 that an American nurseryman would starve if he attempted to adopt 

 their modes of propagation and management. To us it seemed 

 that not one move had been made in advance, since the time when 

 Lindley wrote the ' Theory and Practice of Horticulture.' So far 

 as we could see, nothing is done in the way of root grafting the 

 fruits. Everything is propagated by some one of the many forms 

 of budding and grafting above the ground. The question of tender 

 stocks connected with this mode of grafting wrought mischief in 

 1880 such as we never knew in Iowa. Again, all trees are grown 

 to great height in nursery. Hence the bracts that strengthen the 

 stem are rubbed off and every tree of apple, pear, cherry, plum and 

 most forest trees are kept erect by tying to stakes. In the grow- 

 ing of stocks, and small shrubs and plants they have much success 

 and great skill. In the growing of espaliers and other forms of 

 training on wires and walls, they also have great success and skill. 

 But labor is cheap and it is a question, if we can learn much in 

 modes and methods except in a few special lines. 



" The manner of growing forest trees for street and avenue plant- 

 ing is an evident gain. No tree is accepted unless it has a straight 

 stem of at least eight feet without blemish or scar. Most of the 

 street and avenue trees have stems ten feet in length when planted, 

 with a neat symmetrical top. As a rule the large cities have these 

 grown under regular contract which specifies size, height and spe- 

 cies. Park making, avenue planting, and even planting for rail- 

 road stations and beer and wine gardens is here a thing of system, 

 rule and order. 



RAILWAY PARKS. 



"At railway stations in France and Germany we do not alight 

 amid shanties and dark suspicious looking saloons. The scene is 

 park-light with good buildings and wide streets and promenades. 

 At several stations I have walked into the gardens to find the man 

 in charge, with a garden frock on, busily at work. If I saw a tree 

 or shrub I did not know, in every case he was quick and accurate 

 in giving me the Latin name, which fortunately does not vary the 

 world over. The idea is, the intelligent gardener has charge of all 

 plantations, even that of the well kept beer garden." 



