ORNAMENTAL TREES FOR STREET AND PARK. | 411 
shall we not conquer the forces of nature, and bring to our doors 
the good things of God, which only need to be invited by our skill 
and energy? 
If any further remarks were necessary to convince you thata 
shadeless highway is not the highest type of beauty or utllity, I 
have only to refer you to older states and countries, where the useful 
and the beautiful have been wedded to an extent not fully appre- 
ciated in this new and rushing west. But we shall come to it after 
a while. 
I take it for granted, then, that it is a commendable thing to make 
our farms and homes atteactive by judicious planting of ornamental 
trees along our streets and highways as well asin our parks and 
private grounds, 
First, as to streets and highways: If we are to adorn our streets 
with shade trees, what shall we plant? Ishall recommend none 
that are not thoroughly acclimated or hardy. It does not pay to 
experiment with novelties or foreign sorts from milder climates. 
First and foremost among the grand trees that we need not be 
ashamed of is the American white elm, than which no better street 
tree grows, according to my judgment. Of course, I mean for this 
climate, Itis hardy and perfectly at home here. itis long lived 
It is tough and not liable to be broken by wind. It is king of trees 
in this latitude for majestic sweep of limb, and a queen in the 
gracefulness of its slightly drooping branches. It softens and 
mellows the sunlight creeping through its scattered foliage. It 
sends its roots deep enough into the earth to avoid the plow in an 
adjoining field, and never throws out suckers or root sprouts. 
Next among my favorites I would name the sugar maple, that 
northern treé of beautifully green foliage in summer and unsur- 
passed in autumnal tints, under whose clean, wormless leaves it 
would be a luxury to be buried if it were not a greater one to'live 
and love such an admirable, widely distributed and useful tree. 
And then there is the white ash, that when planted in isolated 
positions assumes a nicely rounded form, is a good grower, and the 
wood valuable. 
I think no one will make a mistake in the selection of the three 
kinds named above, either for the roadside or street planting. 
Linden and silver maple may be added but never ought to take the 
place of the first three named. 
I think all are natives of this state and, probably, easily obtainable. 
Other varieties might be named, but this list is likely 1arge enough. 
Any tree is preferable to no trees, but it is well to plant the right 
kinds. It will cost just about as much to planta measly cottonwood, 
or a lousy box elder, or a short-lived Lombardy, as one that will 
grow and expand with your children, adding strength to beauty and 
usefulness to age. We forget when we plant trees that generations 
of men may pass away while these living monuments stand to 
proclaim our good taste—or the lack of it. 
When you ask me to speak of trees best adapted to parks, you ask 
me to approach a subject too large in its application for me, a mere 
amateur, to do justice to. At best Ican offer only a few thoughts 
suggested by my limited experience and observations. 
