42 WOKCESTEK COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1880. 



as a shade tree. The whole family are long li\^ed ; but the Ameri- 

 can Elm may justly be termed the king of the family. The 

 Slippery, English and Scotch, all of them thrive here and make 

 line trees for streets ; I mean those streets of sufficient width for 

 their development ; also for large grounds where room enough 

 can be had for the full development of its graceful form and 

 sturdy trunk. 



The Oak (Querciis)^ abundant in the pastures and forests, 

 sometimes, but too rarely, adorns private and ornamental grounds. 

 There are, however, a few exceptions where the Oak is prominent, 

 holding sovereign sway ; and few trees are more stately or pro- 

 duce better ornamental efi'ect. The indigenous sorts are White, 

 Yellow, Swamp, Red, Chestnut, &c. ; all very ornamental. 



The English Oak, of several sorts, is found to thrive here, with 

 good care, even better than the natives. As an ornamental tree, 

 it must be ever prominent as a distinctive feature in the landscape, 

 either on elevated or undulating grounds. Where single speci- 

 mens are given time for maturity no other tree is to be compared 

 with it, in its great variety of beauty, changing with the seasons 

 from the delicate bronze of the opening leaf, to the deep and 

 glossy green of summer, and the gorgeous colored tints of the 

 autumn. The foliage remaining on during the winter adds 

 picturesqueness to the variety of beauty of the winter scene. 

 The seeds of the Oak, well known as acorns, are in some va- 

 rieties very ornamental, and germinate and grow readily when 

 planted. 



The Ash (Fraxinus)^ is indigenous hereabout ; but the White 

 is most prominent. It produces a fine effect in streets ; and on 

 extensive grounds, in groups, when viewed from distant points, 

 it has an upright gracefulness, and produces fine effects, in con- 

 trast with other trees. The leaf comes out late in the spring but 

 turns in early autumn to a soft purple tint, remaining for some 

 weeks in fine contrast with the green of other leaves. The White 

 Ash is especially valuable for its wood, and transplants readily. 



The Walnut (Juglans). There are several sorts prominent as 

 ornamental trees. The Hickory, the Black Walnut, English Wal- 

 nut, and Butternut. The Hickory, although difficult to transplant, 

 unless often moved when young, when well grown makes an elegant 

 and stately tree. The Shellbark, in its luxuriant leaves and shaggy 

 bark, has a distinct type and holds a place in fine harmony with 

 other trees. Its fruit is abundant, very sweet and of delicate 

 flavor ; it is ever the favorite tree of the boys,* when the fruit is 

 ripe. 



* Girls also (?) E. W. L. 



