INJURIES TO SHADE-TREES 145 



pacted by a calking hammer. Rubber packing is then in- 

 serted into the annular space left after the calking of the lead, 

 and rammed into the joint and held there by means of two 

 malleable iron rings connected by bolts. The pipes are sup- 

 ported near the joints by means of blocks of wood to prevent 

 settling. 



Damages for Trees Killed. The injury to trees from gas 

 has been so conclusively demonstrated, and damages have 

 been so frequently awarded for loss of trees by this means 

 in several States, that companies usually settle with prop- 

 erty-owners out of court. 



In the State of Massachusetts there are a number of 

 cases on record of payments made by gas companies for 

 killing trees by gas. In 1905, the trees along Middlesex 

 Street, Lowell, began to die. Owners obtained investigation 

 by the Park Commission, and the cause was found to be a 

 leaking gas-main. A complaint against the Lowell Gaslight 

 Company was made by the superintendent of parks, and 

 tried in the police court. The company was fined $900, 

 which was paid to the city, and settlements were made with 

 most of the ov/ners. 



In 1907, several cases were entered against the Spring- 

 field Gaslight Company, but they were all settled out of 

 court. In one case twenty-eight trees on one street were 

 damaged by gas, and the company paid the owners an 

 aggregate sum of a little over $2,000, as agreed by a com- 

 mittee. 



In the majority of cases, however, no amount of money 

 can restore the loss of large trees. Continued vigilance is 

 necessary on the part of property-owners and city tree offi- 

 cials to prevent trees from being killed. When there is the 

 slightest suspicion of a gas-leak, tests of the soil should be 



