PLANTING OF STREETS AND WAYSIDES. 115 



lar planting, conforming, in general, to the surrounding scenery, 

 would be in better harmony. In places an accentuation of existing 

 groups of trees may be all that is necessary, or simply a thinning 

 out of over-crowding trees or of poor trees that are damaging more 

 valuable ones; for, let it be an axiom with the tree planter who is 

 planting for ornamental effect, never to permit the growth of one 

 tree to injure that of another. 



An important matter also in the care of trees is the pruning of 

 all broken or diseased limbs or branches, by cutting the limbs off 

 closely at the bole of the tree, leaving no stumps projecting, which 

 the bark cannot grow over, to carry rot into the tree; cut off smooth 

 and paint over the wound with coal tar. 



These notes are written in the hope that they may help to intensify 

 the interest now awakening in the planting and protection of public 

 trees. The subject is of such importance as to merit the earnest 

 attention of all. 



The insect question I have not touched upon. This, however, 

 is so exhaustively covered by our entomologists that no one need 

 work in the dark for want of knowledge of how to exterminate 

 insect pests or, at least, to hold them in check. 



Discussion. 



Wilfrid Wheeler inquired as to what trees were best to plant in 

 places where they come into contact with electric wures. He had 

 noticed that young maples grew well until they touched these wires 

 and then they stopped further development. 



Mr. Pettigrew replied that no tree does well under the influence 

 of an electric current. Trees should be kept away from the wires 

 or protected from them by a wooden shield. It is seldom that a 

 current would run down a tree but if the tree was wet such a current 

 might be formed. 



William H. Spooner called attention to the lack of proper care of 

 our city trees. He had had some experience in the careless pruning 

 of some of his old elms by the public service men and he thought 

 there should be some competent authority to take charge of this 

 matter. 



