EIGHTH MEETING, MARCH 18th, P. M. 

 Ex-President Wm. T. Mekrifield in the chair. 



SiJBjECT : Tkees and Shrubs for Ornamental Purposes. 

 By Obadiah B. Hadwen. 



Thirty-seven years ago I purchased some land, the major por- 

 tion of which had, for many years, been used for pasture. 



I found thereon trees growing from nature's planting ; there 

 was tlie Elm, the Oak, the Hickory, the Ash, Chestnut, Birch, 

 Bass, Pines and Spruce, with trees and bushes of smaller growth 

 indigenous to the soil and climate. 



Among them were some trees that had undoubtedly been 

 growing for nearly, if not quite, a century, and even now remain 

 unscathed. They have attained diameter of trunk and upright 

 spreading tops, casting shadows for long distances ; and are ac- 

 customed landmarks. During the intervening time I planted 

 seven sorts of Oak, eight of Maple, five of Elm, three of Chest- 

 nut, four of Walnut, four of Ash, three of Linden, three of Horse 

 Chestnut, three of Beecli, three of Larch, five of Pine, eight 

 of Spruce, six of Arbor- Vitse, four of Magnolia, four of Birch, 

 and one or more of many other sorts. 



Upon my open farm lot, unadorned by tree or shrub, save a 

 few hardbacks which, nestling close to the fence, had escaped the 

 annual clipping of the scythe, I built a small farmhouse and 

 planted about it trees and shrubs, some indigenous, others liaving 

 their origin in foreign lands. I have passed many pleasant hours 

 in watching their annual growth, each differing from the other in 

 form, habit, leaf and bloom ; some of them are already grown to 

 be shapely and stately trees. They shelter the habitation from 

 fierce winds, also afford a sheltering belt to the northward and 

 westward fields ; adding rural aptitude to the surroundings, and 

 charms to the farm landscape, strewing the roads and walks with 

 shade, which will endure for generations after the hand that 

 planted them has ceased to labor. May the habit of finding en- 

 joyment in trees and flowers thrill others with enthusiasm, and 

 encourao^e the thousrht to cultivate them ! 



Among these belts and groups of trees squirrels breed, living in 

 hollow boughs, gathering their sustenance from the nut and seed- 



