98 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Conditions vary for wide residence streets or large lot. Nothing can 

 supplant noble trees; though, even then, to my mind, fifty feet is 

 none too great a distance between each specimen — for experts ad- 

 mit both vista and sky-line are rendered equally as effective 

 through this method as by closer planting, while we all know the 

 value of sufficient light, air and nourishment for each tree, and 

 the necessity of sunlight for humanity. 



And, here, a side thought. Why not more diversity? A strang- 

 er would sometimes judge, trusting his eyes alone, that no tree but 

 the elm would bear transplanting in the West! And to continue 

 my queries, why render narrow streets or small lots, where the 

 dwellings are crowded together brick-fashion, dark and breathless 

 by close lines of trees? Beauty is oftentimes secured by variety, 

 and utility as well as health is always to be considered in home 

 environment. Then, why not, in such situations, resort to trees 

 which never attain large growth, like the' hackberry or flowering 

 shrubs, for ornamentation? Habit alone is lacking. Once estab- 

 lish the custom, and lot owner, park commissioner or city author- 

 ity would treat low-growing trees or effective shrubs with the same 

 recognition that their more stately kin generally receive. 



Before departing from this especial theme allow me to avow, 

 as an amateur, my doubts regarding the advisability of trees on 

 certain business streets, even if it were possible to create a general 

 and imperious demand for them. With further explanation, this will 

 not seem such rank heresy, even to the most impassioned tree 

 lover. If the possibility of ultimate growth and importance could 

 be surmised and seriously considered by those who plan village 

 thoroughfares, then, indeed, might we easily have tree-bordered 

 business streets in towns and cities. For, with avenues from 130 

 to 200 feet in width, room would be secured for traffic, wide foot- 

 ways and a parking liberal enough to produce healthy tree growth. 

 But this ideal state of things seldom exists — and, viewing hard real- 

 ity, what encouragement is given for tree planting in business sec- 

 tions by comparatively narrow roads, with their pavements and 

 stone sidewalks? 



And, in this connection, one is reminded of the famous "Unter 

 den Linden," which, despite its width, disappoints most tree lovers, 

 for it does not require a trained eye to discover these trees protest, 

 in their dumb way, against the environment imposed upon them. 

 And loyal Germans, incredible as it may seem, acknowledge that 

 constant re-planting is necessary in this, their most noted avenue. 

 It reminded me of a flower, placed in a maiden's hair, falling a 



