36 HARDINESS OF THE TREE, 



How often men say of a newly planted orchard: 

 u My trees got awful weedy in the forepart of the 

 summer, then it got so dry I didn't dare disturb 

 the ground for fear of drying them out too much." 

 Or, ' 'I thought it better to leave the weeds and grass 

 to shade the ground ,and keep it moist. ' ' 



In place of this desired effect, exactly the oppo- 

 site one is compelled. The weeds pump all the 

 water from the soil, and the tree is stunted and 

 cannot fortify itself to the best advantage, conse- 

 quently will be liable to injury or death, that 

 with proper cultivation would have been avoided. 

 This most importart truth has been stated 

 several times, and may be repeated hereafter. It 

 cannot be too strongly impressed. We plant the 

 trees for a purpose, and as we expect them to fill 

 that purpose there is every reason why we should 

 give them such care and attention as will enable 

 them to do the best they can for themselves, but if 

 we fail in these simple plain matters, which are 

 so necessary, and the trees do not succeed we should 

 blame ourselves, and not the trees nor the country. 



While it is true that the condition of a tree at 

 the close of active growth in the fall is a potent 

 factor in determining that which we call hardiness, 

 it is also true that there are a number of certain 

 varieties that have such inherent qualities as 

 enable them to fortify themselves under unfavorable 

 circumstances to resist the attack of the elements, 

 and come through with a bright clean "bill of 

 health. " These we make a list of and call "hardy." 



