STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. - 77 



street in the city. Owing to the peculiar location of this street, 

 and the supposed bearing that a judicious use of forest trees has 

 had on the life and property of the settlers directly east of it, I 

 think it well to go a' little into the particulars in regard to the 

 planting on this western border of our city. Beginning as far 

 south as Cutler street is worked, or traveled, we find on the east 

 side E. Whitcomb, and on the west our nearest neighbor, M. J. 

 Hoag, both of these gentlemen have, from their earliest settlement 

 on the hill, invested liberally in both fruit and ornamental trees, 

 and escaped almost unharmed. The next place running north is 

 my own, to which I have already alluded, consisting of two blocks, 

 one on each side of the street. Next is the elegant residence of C, 

 C. Willson, Esq., who owns two blocks on either side. His resi- 

 dence is upon the east side, and is completely surrounded with the 

 most lavish supply of deciduous and evergreen trees to be 

 found on any place in the city, if not in the whole county. Three 

 of the best built barns in the county, costing about $3,000, on the 

 west side of the street, and directly west of his residence, just be- 

 yond his tree protection, were a total wreck. He said to me that 

 he believed his trees saved his house. The next two blocks on 

 either side are owned by non-residents. The one on the east has 

 but a single tree on it, a small oak. Here the tornado closed in 

 close to the ground and gathered strength to take up many large 

 oaks on the next block east, together with the chimneys. Here it 

 was carried high up by the tall oaks completely over the west 

 block and dashed down on to a brick barn below, doing consider- 

 able damage. The next blocks on both side are covered with native 

 trees, and there was little or no damage done in the vicinity. The 

 next two blocks have each a house in the native groves and are all 

 right. Next on the west we come to what was the brick residence 

 of James Bucklin. Here there were no trees for many miles west 

 up the Cascade valley, and his house was a total wreck. Adjoining 

 is the residence of W. E. Kennedy, which is well supplied with 

 trees, his house sustained but little or no damage. Then we cross 

 the Cascade Creek and soon strike the land of Hon. 0. P. Whit- 

 comb, who was never known to turn the cold shoulder on an hon- 

 est tree grower. He owns most of the land up to the railroad, and 

 has it well lined with that noble tree known as Ash Leaved Maple. 

 Am sorry to say that many of these valuable trees went down 

 owing to the fact that there was no protection on the west of them. 

 With the exception of Rev. Geo. Ainsle's residence,which was nicely 

 embowered in trees, and sustained but slight injuries, the balance of 



