SHADE TREES. 35 



desirable, but as they must be grafted the price in the nursery is 

 higher than of those which can be raised directly from seed. 



Mr. Hovey next spoke of the oak, remarking that it is a mis- 

 take to think they do not grow as fast as other trees, and referred 

 to a plantation which in ten years grew twice as large as some 

 elms or rock maples in the same time, and although they trans- 

 plant poorl}^ in five years the rows were all full. He spoke also 

 of a fastigiate variety of the oak, which, however, is diflicult to be 

 had. The oak is a grand tree, but the tulip tree or horse chest- 

 nut is preferable in narrow streets. 



Mr. Cruickshanks said, in reference to Mr. Hovey's statement 

 that other plants would thrive under elm trees, that he would like 

 to have him dig under an elm tree and see if the ground was not 

 full of roots. 



Mr. Hovey admitted that elm trees filled the ground beneath 

 them with roots, but mentioned having tried to dig up some plants 

 of Liliuin superhum which grew under an elm tree in Plymouth 

 county, and though the ground was so full of roots that he could 

 not get the lilies up, they still grew vigorously there. 



Rev. A. B. Muzzey said that if we go on discussing particular 

 trees we shall certainly disagree. There is a lamentable want of 

 shade trees in the streets of our towns and cities, and a surprising 

 indiff'erence to this want among gentlemen of cultivated taste. 

 From the action of our city governments one would think that they 

 had reversed the advice which the Scotch laird gave his son, and 

 desired to be always pulling up a tree. Mr. Muzzey believed that 

 this society might make its influence felt in producing a bettor 

 state of things. We should be very guarded in our action, but we 

 should see if we cannot do something to encourage the planting of 

 trees. He suggested that a premium should be offered for the best 

 essay on shade trees. In Cambridge, where Mr. Muzzey resides, 

 the sentiment is the same as in Boston, and large trees have been 

 destroyed because they slightly obstructed the sidewalk, but Mr. 

 Muzzey asked whether the shade, the healthiness, and the beauty 

 of the trees were not to be considered, as well as the trouble of 

 taking a step aside. We do not live in this world for utility alone, 

 — beauty is utility. He resided for eight years in Newburyport, 

 and was proud of the trees in that city, the beauty of which was 

 owing in a great measure to a bequest for promoting the produc- 

 tion of trees and the improvement of sidewalks. 



