I89I. 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



135 



honorable act by the plea that he had not prom- 

 Iged not to do it. Our package manufactur- 

 ers come in for a share of the blame, as they 

 have to a certain extent added in the deception 

 by manufacturing the "snide" package. They 

 will say that they can not control the jieople's 

 wishes in the matter, and they are in the busi- 

 ness to make anything the people want. Thi.s is 

 to a certain e.xtent true, but the best in formation 

 we can get is to the effect that nearly every 

 change in the size or style of package is first 

 made by the manufacturer, and offered for our 

 adoption, even without a demand, and we all 

 know they are constantly making changes in the 

 style and form of packages; and one idea seems 

 to run through all the work, and that is to make 

 them a little scant measure, and the majority of 

 our farmers seem to think that a barrel isa bar- 

 rel, even if it is not more than two-thirds grown, 

 and the same with a quart box. 



Appeals have been made time and again to 

 the honesty and good sense of our growers to 

 discontinue the use of such packages, and the 

 practice of "stuffing," or dishonest packing, but 

 so far it has accomplished out little. It pays to 

 be honest in fruitgrowing and packing, for the 

 slightest trickery is detected instantly by the 

 shrewd buyer, and he promptly knocks off 

 enough from the price to protect himself, and 

 the grower has to stand it. 



Every man at all familiar with the fruit trade 

 in Chicago, must know something of the dis- 

 trust and disgust which consumers have for 

 fruit from certain localities, on account of the 

 frauds practiced in packages and packing. If 

 that element of uncertainty can be replaced by 

 the confidence and certainty of absolute munici- 

 pal control of the business, the sale of our fruits 

 would be far more satisfactory and would rapid- 

 ly increase, the trash would be left at home 

 where it belongs, prices would be far better, the 

 percentage of expenses would be less, and the 

 trade much more satisfactory all around. 



Hardy Evergreens in Massachusetts 



{Extract o.t paper by ifm. C. Strong, before the Massa- 

 chufetts Horticultural Society.) 



Our native White Spruce {Ahics iilba) of- 

 ten called Blue Spruce, is one of the hardi- 

 est and most pleasing of conifers. Its coni- 

 cal, thick-set .shape and light, more or less 

 glaucous, foliage renders it alvcays a favor- 

 ite. Though not so long lived or so valu- 

 able for timber as its nearly related variety, 

 the Black Spruce (Ahics nirir<t), it is far 

 more desirable for ornamental purposes, 

 and should be in every coUection. Individ- 

 ual seedlings can often be found which are 

 quite distinct in form and color. Maxwell's 

 Golden being a good example. 



The Norway Spruce (Abkfy exc€lsa) though a 

 foreigner, is yet perfectly at home with us. 

 However common and perhaps formal and mon- 

 otonous when repeated in numbers, it is yet so 

 hardy and vigorous In nearly all soils; so fine in 

 single specimens, with graceful pendulous 

 branches sweeping to the^round; so well adapt- 

 ed to hedge rows or shelter belts; in short, it has 

 80 many good qualities that it is not outranked 

 by any other conifer for landscape work. It 

 varies considerably in habit, and we have these 

 sports perpetuated in such distinct forms as A . 

 inverta and A . penduia, or in grotesque habit 

 like ^. m()?is(n>8a, or as dwaifs like A. Claiihra- 

 siliaiia. A. Uiegoriana, 01 A. pyym<va. 



Our White Fine iPinus strobiin} is probably the 

 most profitable of all trees for timber in our light 

 soils. It does not thrive in a wet soil. But we 

 have thousands of acres of comparatively waste 

 land which should be planted with this species- 

 and it would be a wise economy to give Govern- 

 ment encouragement to this industry. For dec- 

 orative purposes the White Pine is also valuable, 

 its soft, silvery green foliage furnishing a pleas- 

 ing contrast with the more rugged and darker 

 growth of other varieties. 



The lihotan Pine (Pitms excelsa) has longer, 

 more graceful and drooping leaves than the 

 White Pine, but it is liable to blasting in its lead- 

 er and its branches. In other respects it is vig- 

 orous and hardy, and its superior beauty entitles 

 it to trial in overcoming this difficulty. 



The Austrian and Scotch Pines and the Cem- 

 bran or Swiss Stone Pine are all deserving the 

 general use which they receive. They will not 

 vie with the White Pine for timber use though 

 in conditions where the older growth continues 

 healthy they will have value in this respect. 



The Red Pine (Pimis resinosa), often, but in- 

 correctly, called Norway Pine, is a very hardy 

 native tree, which flourishes in a dry, sandy soil 

 from the Middle States into Canada. It abounds 

 in resin, is of value for timber, and deserves a 

 place in a collection as an ornamental tree. 



Our Pitch Pine {Pimis rialila), though very 

 hardy, scarcely deserves a place in cultivation in 

 comparison with better species. 



Our native Hemlock {Abies Canadensis), when 

 planted iu exposed situations, is very apt to 

 suffer from the winter winds. If it were a re- 

 cently introduced novelty, it would be pro- 

 nounced one of the most graceful and beautiful 

 of conifers, but too tender tor ordinary posi- 

 tions. Yet it is in fact one of the commonest 

 timber trees of New England and Canada This 

 shows to what a degree hardiness depends upon 

 proper conditions, and how careful we should be 

 to make sure that these conditions are complied 

 with before we pronounce judgment upon the 

 question of hardiness. 



Of the Silver Fir tribe, the Balsam Fir is the 

 only variety which may be said to be common in 

 New England. Young specimens are very beau- 

 tiful, especially in the northern sections of its 

 growth. But it is subject to diseases in this vi- 

 cinity, and is short-lived, and must give place to 

 much more desirable varieties of this class of 

 Silves Firs of recent introduction. A dwarf 

 Silver Fir, named Hitdminica by Dr. Engelmann, 

 is in the White Mountain regions and in Maine, 

 which is quite prostrate in growth, and roots 

 from its branches like the prostrate Juniper. 



The various forms of Arbor Vita? {Tfivja occi- 

 d4:ntalis) are in frequent use and are essential in 

 all collections. The so-called Siberian variety 

 differs mainly in hardmcss and compactness of 

 growth, qualities which make it very desirable 

 for many purposes. 



The Savin (J«?iip€r«s Virginiana), varying 

 much in form, color and habit of growth in diff- 

 erent seedlings, and often very attractive, will 

 complete the list of coniferip in common use up 

 to a comparatively recent date. 



The following are some of the more desirable 

 additions which have been made within the past 

 few years: 



The European Silver Fir (Abies pectinata) is 

 scarcely hardy with us, except in protected 

 places, but the closely allied A. Nordmanniana 

 is quite hardy and thrives well, with the single 

 fault of liability to lose its leader. Its stately 

 babit and dark, rich glossy foliage render it one 

 of the handsomest of conifers. 



Abies coneolor is a more recently introduced 

 Fir from Colorado, its type in the Sierras of Cali- 

 fornia being known under the names of lasio- 

 cajpa and Parsi:)nH. The name ccmcotor implies 

 the same silvery color on the upper and under 

 sides of the leaf. It is one of the stateliest trees 

 of the Rocky Mountains and retains its beautiful 

 color in old age. As the type from Colorado 

 seems to be quite hardy and to be suited to our 

 climate, it bids fair to become one of the most 

 useful and desirable of the recent introductions. 



The Japanese Silver Fir, brachyphytln, is one 

 of the hardiest and handsomest of Firs, its two 

 under silver lines being quite conspicuous. 



^fties Ciiicica is reported as not accommodat- 

 ing itself to the climate of England. It has, 

 however, done well in this country. 



Of the class known as Picea or Spruce Firs, 

 decidedly the most promising recent introduc- 

 tions is Ptcca (-4 Lies) jJunflCHs. It has also been 

 known as A. Enyelmonni and A. Parryana, its 

 Colorado type being found to be perfectly hardy 

 and suited to our climate. Its growth is stiff, 

 very thickly covered with rigid, very sharp 

 pointed leaves, from which it derives its name. 

 It varies considerably in color from deep green 

 to steel blue or Ughtest silver. Its remarkable 

 color and regular outline reuder it one of the 

 best conifers for the lawn. 



Menzies' Spruce (/I. Meiiiicsii) is a somewhat 

 similar tree to the last, though less iu degree of 

 characteristics. It deserves a place in every 

 collection. 



The Oriental Spruce of the Caucasian region is 

 quite hardy with us, its foliage being of a bright 

 glossy green, with slender branchlets, giving it a 

 distinct pointed outline. 



Of the Pine family, the Corean Pine (Piims 

 Koraicnsis) is specially useful for decoration. 

 It has long, glossy green foliage, silver within; 

 its habit is compact dividing into numerous 

 branches, when about twelve or fifteen feet In 

 height, rendering it more suitable for a position 

 where taller Pines would be undesirable. 



The Umbrella Pine of Japan, as it is commonly 



known, the Sciadiipitys ivrticillata. is the most 

 distinct of all the additions to our list of hardy 

 conifers. It is remarkable not less inform and 

 habit than in the length and color of its leaves, 

 which spread out like the ribs f)f a parasol. It 

 has gained in reputation for hardiness, especially 

 if somewhat sheltered, and since its effect is so 

 distinct and excellent, it will doubtless become 

 very poi)ulai'. To the Japanese we are also in- 

 debted tor the introduction of the Hetinospnrns. 

 This has now come to be a numerous and impor- 

 tant class, owing to the many garden sports from 

 the two original Japanese forms, obtiisa and 

 Itisifeni. Most of these are quite hardy in a 

 moist or not too exposed situation. With the 

 exception of obtnsa and pittifera, they are of 

 moderate size or low growing, and since they 

 give great variety in color and form, they are 

 much in use for garden work. We have the 

 graceful, pendulous growth of filifera, the soft, 

 silvery dew of squarrosa, the rich green of plu- 

 mosa, and the bright golden colors of obtiisa and 

 pisifera aurea. For decorative purposes they 

 are important acquisitions. 



From the same prolific source, the islands of 

 Japan, we have received the Thujopsis Dola- 

 Ifrata, resembling the Thujas, as its name im- 

 plies, with short, thick, imbricated leaves, dark 

 green above and glaucous beneath. It forms a 

 conical tree, forty or fifty feet high, with ex- 

 tending, pendulous branches sweeping to the 

 ground. Though not generally distributed, it 

 has proved hardy in several exposures, and will 

 deserve extended trial. 



Of the Junipers, Cracnvia is a desirable hardy, 

 erect, robust variety, and Virginiana glauca is 

 specially fine in color and form. 



Planting Evergreens, The impression pre- 

 vails that there is more risk with them than with 

 deciduous trees, and this is undoubtedly true 

 when trees of a considerable size are taken. It 

 is essential that there should be immediate root 

 action to supply the immediate draft upon the 

 resources of the tree. It is thus evident that 

 fall is not a favorable time for planting. Un- 

 doubtedly there are many instances where trees 

 with more or less earth have been removed late 

 in the fall which have lived Hut in our climate 

 there is little or no root action from November 

 until May. and hence the tax upon the tree late 

 planted and exposed to the drying winds of win- 

 ter and early spring is great and frequently fatal. 



There is a very general agreement among 

 planters that early springisalso an objectionable 

 time. The ground in March or April is usually 

 wet and the root action must necessarily be very 

 sluggish, and unable to supply ihe increasing de- 

 mand from evaporation. But in the month of 

 May the ground has become warmer and all the 

 organs of the tree are excited into activity. It 

 has been found by uniform experience that a 

 most suitable time for removal is just as the 

 buds begin to swell and indications of returning 

 life appear. There is sap enough stored in the 

 tree to sustain it until the speedy action of the 

 roots will continue the supply. Consequently 

 the great bulk of this work is done in our lati- 

 tude in the month of May. The month of Aug- 

 ust, however, has been found as a most suitable 

 time, and an extensive experience has confirmed 

 the truth of this. 



Requisites for Market-Gardening. 



.Extract oj Lectureby Prof . L.H. Bailey, before class 

 in Horticulture at Cornell University, N. Y.) 



Market-gardening is now of greater im- 

 portance than heretofore; it is more inten- 

 sive: more vegetables are eaten per capita; 

 modern transportation brings in more re- 

 mote areas, thus giving a wider range of 

 climate and soil and a consequent increase 

 in number of varieties, their quality, and 

 the length erf the marketing season. 



Success hinges upon the man and his surround- 

 ings; brains are most important here as else- 

 where. No tilling of the soil requires greater 

 care than gardening. Investigate; pass by no in- 

 formation as trivial until you have studied it. 

 Look after the business yourself; do so hopeful- 

 ly, ambitiously, and be [uepared to meet difflcul- 

 ties, but .stick to it; grow better crops than any 

 one else; find the best market, and you will 

 succeed. 



Locate accessibly to a good market. Get com- 

 jietition freight rates, on land and water if pos- 

 sible; so hesitate to locate where there is but one 

 railroad, or where the station is far away, or 

 where you cannot have several possible mai'kets. 

 Try and have good highways 30 that visitors will 



