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ORNAMENTAL TREES FOR STREET AND PARK. 413 
able not to obstruct the view. I think nothing pays better for the 
expense ifcurred in planting, if done in a proper manner, than put- 
ting out evergreens. They give a home-like expression to grounds 
which can be produced in no other way. They are a promise of 
genial warmth within the home wherever found. 
I wish to say a word for the encouragement of the Public Im- 
provement Society. Public parks and grounds being public prop- 
erty, the old saying “What is everybody’s business is nobody’s,” 
always applies, and unless some tireless public spirited ones keep 
the matter of improvement well stirred up it is liable to languish. 
Some people are slow to move unless they can see the results of 
their efforts at once. But trees do not grow to maturity ina night. 
Those who labor to beautify a town are planning for the enjoyment 
of future generations. Blessed are they who live to partake of the 
fruits of their own labors, but thrice blessed are the unselfish ones 
who plant for posterity! May their number increase, and may they 
live to enjoy the fruition of their fondest esthetic hopes inthis world 
and immortal gardens in the world to come! 
THE FARMERS’ FRUIT AND HOW TO GROW IT. 
F. W. KIMBALL, AUSTIN. 
While the theory may be correct that it is cheaper for the farmer 
to buy his fruit than to raise it, it results, as a rule, in his family go- 
ing without it; and only on the theory of its general absence can it 
be made to appear that it is cheaper to buy. As no money consider- 
ation can atone for the absence of health, I am bound to believe that 
the improved health of families who eat freely of fruits as ample 
compensation for all expenditures of money and labor in obtaining: 
such, to say nothing of the pleasure of the palate in consuming 
them. That the farmer’s family more than most others need the 
influence of fruit in their diet goes without saying, as'they are 
compelled to use more freely of salted meats. Who does not re- 
member the tales of death among sailors years ago resulting from 
scurvy? Now, who ever hears of it, since the days of canned fruits? 
In fact, the word itself has become almost obsolete. 
Iam notahorticulturist and can address you asa farmer or one 
raising fruit in his garden for his family only. The first fruit of the 
season in this latitude is the strawberry, which is easily raised, and 
in favorable seasons can be grown ready for picking at acost not 
exceeding five cents per quart, and, 1 doubt not, many seasons for 
three cents. Select a gcod piece of ground well fertilized and as free 
from weed seed as possible, moist soil, at the same time let it be 
well drained ground—but any ground that will raise good corn will 
raise good strawberries. Ground that has been in clover is reco- 
mended. I would advise all farmers to get good staminate 
varieties only. Plant in long rows, six feet apart and about eigh- 
teen inches to two feet apart in the row. I wish to especially em- 
phasize the putting of all small fruits in long rows, so they can be 
cultivated with the horse, as a good share of the cultivation can 
thus be done as cheaply as for corn or potatoes. Let your vines 
