150 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Pinus rigida, Pitch Pine, 



" sylvestris, Scotch " 



" Austriaca, Austrian Pine. 



As you perceive, the majority of this list are American trees. 

 I know there are many foreign trees that will do well in New Eng- 

 land, but, without being partial, I must say I believe that with few 

 exceptions America.i trees are tlie best in the American climate, 

 both for use and profit ; and in almost all undertakings in this 

 country the first question is. Does it pa}'? Of course we have 

 those among us who take a special delight in all that is beautiful, 

 and gather together from all parts of the world everything in the 

 plant line that can be grown in our climate. Such tnen are public 

 benefactors, but we have too few of them ; most of those who plant 

 want to reap the benefit, eitiier directly or indirectly, as soon as 

 possible, and to such I say, Let us plant American trees. 



Soil akd Situation. — In selecting a place for the seed beds the 

 soil for all large seeds should, if possible, be a deep, rich, mellow 

 loam, avoiding, if possible, all thin, gravelly soils or heavy clays. The 

 soil should be well manured with good, rotten manure, one 3'ear 

 old, and ploughed or trenched from twelve to fifteen inches deep, 

 and well pulverized with a harrow. All coarse stones, quitch-grass, 

 or other rubbish, should be raked off so as to have the land in the 

 finest condition possible. If the land is full of weeds it would be 

 well to manure heavil}' and plant one 3'ear with crops that would 

 be well cultivated ; or to plough it frequently during one season, so 

 that it may be as clean as possible when the time comes for sow- 

 ing. If there is anything that tries one's patience, it is attempting 

 to grow seedlings in a soil that is already full of weed seed. The 

 land should be well sheltered from the north and west winds, either 

 by a hedge or fence. If it is springy or low it should be well 

 drained. If the seeds are to be sown in beds they should be laid 

 out five feet wide, with an alley or pathway two and a half feet 

 wide ; this will give ample room to work the beds from both sides. 

 The beds should be raked fine, and if to be sown broadcast they 

 will then be ready for the seed. A great many people prefer to 

 sow broadcast ; but I think that method requires more labor and care 

 in weeding. I prefer to sow in rows nine inches apart across the 

 bed, — especially if there are a large number of varieties, or only a 

 limited number of plants are wanted, — or in long nursery rows eigh- 

 teen inches apart if to be worked by hand, or from two and a half 



