112 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



large for the streets. Plant well, select good, healthy trees, and 

 success will crown 3'our efforts. 



These brilUant tints are increased b}' the peculiar clearness and 

 brightness of the atmosphere. Again, the trees and shrubs of 

 North America are unquestionably the most splendid and beautiful 

 vegetable productions of the temperate climate ot the globe. With- 

 out the American magnolias, tulip trees, rhododendrons, azaleas, 

 kalmias, vacciniums, andromedas, and other ornamental plants, not 

 to mention numerous other genera, where would be the beauty of 

 European pleasure grounds? North America has indeed supplied 

 more material for ornamental gardening than all the rest of the 

 world put together, and I am glad that we can supply them with 

 these beautiful productions. But will you allow our foreign neighbors 

 to make their homes more beautiful with our productions, than 3'our 

 own? The answer to the question is for you to solve. God bless 

 your homes, and may they all be adorned not only with nature's 

 beautiful productions, but by His abiding presence, and may they 

 all be the happiest of homes. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Knowlton. I would like to ask a question of Mr. Barker. 

 In setting out trees with reference to the treatment which he gives 

 them ; in the matter of pruning, it is the custom in many parts of 

 our State in setting elms and maples to cut off the top. I do not 

 believe in the practice, 



Mr. Barker. I think the Secretary is right in his opinion ; when 

 we set out a tree of that nature, like an elm or maple we never prune 

 it, except to prune out the dead wood and some of the short shoots ;. 

 but we take a great deal of care to prepare the hole thoroughly for 

 the reception and plant it as carefull}' as we can, never allow it out 

 of the ground but a short time. Mr. Dale of Boston says if you 

 want to spoil a young tree, cut it to pieces when you set it out. 



Mr. Knowlton. Regarding maples, especiall}^ the sugar maple, 

 there is a point further which I have observed. The maple does 

 not readily heal over when limbs are cut off, for this reason it is 

 important to have the branches set at a height that will be satisfac- 

 tory after the tree is grown. Cut out the small limbs as soon as 

 one appears where you will not want it to grow when the tree 

 becomes large. In this way 3'ou begin to shape the tree when it is 

 set, and all the strength and growth of the tree are directed where 

 they will the most rapidly develop a beautiful tree. 



