INTRODUCTION. 5 



be that its worthlessness for other purposes made it all 

 the more acceptable for streets and roadsides, the better 

 kinds being reserved for firewood, fencing, furniture, 

 and the manufacture of agricultural and other imple- 

 ments. But whatever the cause or object, the elm be- 

 came the one tree generally selected for planting in 

 parks, villages, cities, and along roadsides in the coun- 

 try, not only in the older but in many of the newer 

 States. From present indications, however, the glory 

 of this much over -praised tree is on the wane, for the 

 imported elm-leaf beetle (Galeruca calmariensis) is 

 slowly but surely spreading over the country, defoliating 

 the elms of all species and varieties, and it is a question 

 whether we should bless this insect for the work it is 

 doing or look upon it as a pest. Perhaps future genera- 

 tions will sing paeons in its praise, and they certainly 

 will have reasons for rejoicing if better and more useful 

 kinds are planted in the places now occupied by the 

 worthless elms. 



In other localities some pioneer or leader in road- 

 side ornamentation selected or recommended some spe- 

 cies of maple, linden, catalpa, poplar or willow, but it 

 made little or no difference as to kind, because, as a rule, 

 all his neighbors followed without a thought or question 

 in regard to adaptation to soil, climate, or fitness in the 

 local or surrounding scenery, or of its future economic 

 value. The result of this want of taste and forethought 

 may be seen in whatever direction one travels through- 

 out the older and more thickly settled portions of this 

 country. 



Had the early settlers of the New England States 

 planted shellbark hickories, or even the native chestnut, 

 in place of the American elm, they would not only have 

 had equally as beautiful trees for shade and ornament, 

 but the nutritious nuts would scarcely have failed to bring 

 bright cheer to many a household and money to fill oft- 



