SHADE TREES. 289 



keenest enjoyment amid their expanding foliage ; an.d they 

 become the favorite trysting place when the feelings assume 

 a graver hue, and the sentiments of approaching manhood 

 usurp the place of unthinking frolic. Their memory in 

 after life greets the lonely wanderer amid his trials and vicis- 

 situdes, inciting him to breast adversity till again welcomed 

 to their smiling presence. Their thousand associations 

 repress the unhallowed aspirations of ambition and vice ; 

 and when the last sun of decrepid age is sinking to its rest, 

 these venerable monitors solace the expiring soul with the 

 assurance, that a returning spring shall renew its existence 

 beyond the winter of the tomb. 



Trees ought not to be too near the buildings, but occupy 

 such a position as to give beauty and finish to the landscape. 

 In addition to danger from lightning, blowing down, or the 

 breaking off of heavy branches, there is an excessive damp- 

 ness from their proximity, which produces rapid decay in 

 such as are of wood, besides its frequently affecting to a 

 serious degree the health of the inmates. Low shrubbery 

 that does not cluster too thickly, or immediately around the 

 house, is not objectionable. Trees are ornamental to the 

 streets and highways, but should be at such a distance from 

 the fences, as will prevent injury to the crops and afford a 

 kindly shade to the wayfarer. In certain sections of the 

 middle and southern States, where the soil is parched from 

 the long sultry summers, it has been found that shade trees 

 rather increases than diminishes the forage of the pastures ; 

 but through most of the middle and northern States, they 

 are decidedly disadvantageous, as the feed is found to be 

 sweeter and more abundant beyond their reach. For this 

 reason, such trees as are preserved exclusively for timber, 

 should be kept together in the wood-lots, and even many 

 that are designed for necessary shade or ornament, may be 

 grouped in tasteful copses, with greater economy of ground 

 and manifest improvement to the landscape. In the selec- 

 tion of trees, regard should be had not only to the beauty of 

 the tree and its fitness for shade, but to its ultimate value 

 as timber and fuel. 



In the range of selection, no flora of either hemisphere 

 will compare with the number, variety, and beauty of our 

 North American forest trees. Of the oak, we have 50 

 species, while all Europe has but 30. Europe has 14 species 

 of pines and firs ; Asia, 19 ; Africa, South America, and 

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