42 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1893. 



have trees that have beeu planted forty years that are more than sixty 

 feet high, with a corresponding diameter of trunk. 



The Nordmann Spruce is of more recent introduction, and is 

 becoming very popular. It is very well furnished with limbs that 

 extend from the trunk in a horizontal position, with large green leaves 

 that are white underneath. It is always pleasing by contrast with the 

 other Evergreens. 



Then we have another from Colorado, the Picea Pungens, that is 

 likely to prove a great favorite. I have two some fifteen feet in 

 height, with dense growth and pyramidal form, the foliage a rich blue 

 or sage color, — a most cnarming and interesting Evergreen. It needs 

 liberal treatment to bring out the deepest color of the foliage. 



The Concolor is quite rare, large specimens not often seen. They 

 are of slow growth, with long foliage of very light color, — a remark- 

 ably beautiful tree. A fine one is to be seen on the grounds of H. H. 

 Hunnewell, in Wellesley. 



The Larch, Larix, although deciduous, are cone-bearing trees, and 

 we have both the native, usually called Hackmatac, found growing in 

 swamps in this county. It makes a tall but not a shapely tree, as do 

 the European Larch, which are of vigorous, shapely growth, are well 

 adapted for shelter, and charming in the landscape. They make fine 

 timber, as the stem holds its size well towards the top. 



The Japan Larch, or the Larix Leptolepis, is the most beautiful of 

 the family, with long green foliage, and well and evenly furnished 

 with limbs. There are but few of this sort about Worcester, but 

 they are very marked trees. The Larch also bear seed, which grow 

 in sheltered places, and in good ground are of very rapid growth. 



It is especially the province of Agricultural and Horticultural Socie- 

 ties to encourage ornamental tree planting, as well as fruit tree plant- 

 ing ; they both contribute to an effective landscape. A man may very 

 properly have a belt of trees, at the northward portion of the farm, 

 to shelter the orchard as well as all crops. At the same time a shelter 

 along the roadside will be found by practical farmers in nowise to 

 conflict with the economies of agriculture, but largely contribute to 

 true taste and the higher and better course of husbandry, in which 

 every land-owner should take personal pride and ambition to contrib- 

 ute his just share to himself and to posterity. 



Now, Mr. Chairman, I have spent the major portion of my life in 

 rural pursuits. Within the past fifty years I have planted very many 

 trees, both fruit and ornamental, and wherever I see good tree plant- 



