A large sized typical tree of this kind may be seen 

 across the river, about a mile beyond the bridge, at the 

 crossing of the Groveland and Pekin roads. It was very 

 symmetrical and beautiful, but recently a telegraph wire 

 has been passed through the top of it, and some of the 

 limbs, on one side, have been cut off, which, of course, 

 mars its beauty, still by seeing it now one may form an idea 

 of what it was before it was mutilated. 



The White Elm is, perhaps, the most famous of our 

 American shade trees; but, in this dry soil, it will not 

 develope its full proportions, therefore it must take a second 

 place. Its top is apt to become open and unsymmetrical, 

 and it is sometimes seriously injured by bark lice. For a 

 few years after it is set out, it grows slowly but finally 

 improves and grows quite rapidly. It is so well known 

 that it needs no especial description. 



The Soft Maple is a rapid grower, a clean, elegant tree, 

 but is very brittle. The limbs are liable to split from the 

 body and break off. In their native forests they grow close 

 together, tall and slender, and protect each other from the 

 wind; the tops are smaller and the limbs less liable to 

 break. The bark is tender when young, and requires care- 

 ful protection. It is somewhat subject to the inroads of 

 borers. Recently a few trees have been attacked by an 

 enemy that is new to this part of the country, which may 

 prove serious here as it has proved in parts of Missouri. 



For a full description of this insect, and the best method 

 of destroying it, I refer you to Miss Smith's paper. 



The Box Elder is a medium sized tree, having a medium 

 growth, and while young a tender bark, but if protected 

 does well and is quite hardy. Like its relative, the Soft 

 Maple, it is sometimes injured by borers. It bears cultiva- 

 tion well and is a handsome tree anywhere, but in the river 

 bottoms where it luxuriates, it is very beautiful, and makes 

 a rapid growth. On moist, rich prairie land but few trees 

 grow more rapidly or present a finer appearance. 



