orously, especially the white walnut, which almost equals the soft maple 

 in thrift. 



The elms. — Of our elms, the white and the red are the most important. 

 For an ornamental tree for parks, lawns, and streets, they have a na- 

 tional reputation. They arc hardy, grow with tolerable rapidity, and 

 are readily transplanted at almost any age. The wood of the white elm 

 is rather inferior in quality -, that of the red is stronger and more dur- 

 able, and is much used for the manufacture of wagon-hubs, carriage- 

 wheels, &c. 



The icMte willow. — Notwithstanding the prejudice which exists against 

 this tree, on account of the extravagant representations made of it a few 

 years ago as a hedge-plant, it attracts attention, from its rapid growth, as 

 well adapted for wind breaks and screens. It may be planted in low 

 grounds which are unsuited for most trees, and will thrive best in such 

 situations. Its light and graceful foliage afibrds an excellent contrast 

 with most other deciduous trees, and in places where tuel is scarce it is 

 deserving of cultivation for an early and abundant production of wood. 



Evergreens. — By evergreens is commonly understood the family of con- 

 iferous trees, because, in northern latitudes, these are the only trees 

 which retain their foliage throughout the year. The deciduous trees 

 give us shade and shelter during the summer, but in our prairie-regions, 

 during the coldest half of the year, these trees are leafless and aftbrd only 

 partial protection from the fierce blasts of winter. This consideration 

 alone should recommend the cultivation of evergreens to every dweller 

 upon prairie-soil, for not only is the personal comfort of man and beast 

 concerned, but also practical economy, as it is well understood by intel- 

 ligent farmers that the abstraction of animal heat by cold winds must 

 be counterbalanced by an increased supply of food. But. the fact that 

 these coniferous trees furnish our most valuable building-material, that 

 our native supply of them is rapidly disappearing, and the market value 

 advancing afibrds strong and urgent argument for the attention of tree- 

 growers. 



Fines, — The white, Austrian, and Scotch pines are considered the best 

 for general cultivation. Mr. Bryant says of the white pine, "No one of 

 our native forest trees is more generally useful and no one better merits 

 careful preservation and extensive culture. As an ornamental tree, it 

 is surpassed by few, if any, of the genus. Its foliage is vsoft, its hue 

 agreeable, and the whole appearance of the tree graceful." 



The Scotch pine is one of the most rapidly growing species, and suc- 

 ceeds in very variable soils, being perfectly hardy, even in the most 

 northern parts of our countrj^ It bears transplanting with more facility, 

 perhaps, than any other species. Its thick, dense foliage adapts it well 

 for screens or belts for the protection of orchards. On account of its 

 rapid growth, its valuable wood, its hardiness, and its adaptability to 

 different soils, it is strongly recommended for cultivation. The Austrian 

 pine has much resemblance to the Scotch, having longer and rigid leaves 

 of a darker color. It grows vigorously, and from its stiffness and 

 strength resists the most violent winds and does not sufier under the 

 heavy accumulations of sleet and ice, which sometimes greatly injure 

 more slender species. It has been extensively planted far ornamenta- 

 tion, and although rigid and ungraceful in habit, its dense and dark 

 foliage in winter renders it very pleasant to look upon. 



Spruce or fir. — The white and black spru3e, the Norway S|)ruco, and 

 the hemlock, or hemlock-spruce, are the most important species of tliis 



