70 BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. 



side and shade trees, but the lack is in the public sentiment 

 to enforce it. 



These matters are of interest to the roadside tree planter, 

 for the condition of the roads, the shrubs at their margins, 

 and the neatness of the walls and fences, all contribute to 

 the general effect, and must receive the attention they 

 deserve, if we are to take the trouble to plant trees at all, or 

 desire to make our country-side what it should be. 



There is no royal road to success in tree planting, and the 

 ultimate accomplishment of good results must often l)e 

 reached through many disappointments and discouragements. 

 The trees are frequently attacked by mysterious fungi on 

 their leaves and at their roots and insect enemies innumer- 

 able arc to be encountered, to a far greater extent in orna- 

 mental i}lantations than in the thicker growth of the forest. 

 Every locality has its peculiar surroundings, — currents of 

 wind, conditions and quality of the soil, and, in ornamental 

 plantations, associated scenery and buildings. These must 

 all be carefully considered before accepting the advice of the 

 essayist, who can only lay down general • rules and give 

 general lists of trees from which the planter must make 

 selection for special cases. 



A great mistake is often made, in attempting to get quick 

 results, by phmting trees of too great size. Smaller nursery- 

 grown trees, if well chosen and properly planted, will always 

 prove the best and soon outstrip the larger ones set out at 

 the same time. It is well in tree planting to " make haste 

 slowly." 



The observation of Arbor Day, w'hich originated in 

 Nebraska in 1874, has gradually extended to other States, 

 until it has now l)ecome a generally established institution. 

 To be sure, the lists of exercises which arc pul)lished for use 

 on the occasions of its celebration are poetic and sentimental 

 rather than i)ractical, yet if, as suggested in the last rei)ort 

 of the United States Forestry Bureau, Arbor Day and its 

 observation really offers a means " for getting the facts 

 relating to tree growth and the practical uses of trees before 

 the minds of the old and young alike, and for creating and 

 diffusing throughout the community a sentiment which 



