NURSERY PRACTICE. 123 



thoroughly, for one tree well planted is better than a 

 dozen poorly set out. 



Kinds of Trees. The best trees for street planting 

 in this country are the White Elm, Hackberry, Green 

 Ash, Basswood, Box-elder, Norway Maple, and Soft 

 Maple. All of these trees do well in good soil, and with 

 the exception of the Soft Maple they all do well in rather 

 inferior land. Evergreens, especially the White Pine, 

 may sometimes be used to advantage along narrow drives, 

 but they are seldom desirable as street trees. The trees 

 planted should be about two to four inches in diameter 

 near the ground, eight or ten feet high, and of thrifty 

 growth. Much larger trees are sometimes set out, but 

 it is not advisable, as a rule, to plant those that are over 

 four inches in diameter. Smaller trees are often planted 

 and do well if properly cared for, but need more atten- 

 tion directing their growth than those that are larger. 

 But small, thrifty trees are much better for street plant- 

 ing than large stunted trees. In all cases it is more im- 

 portant to have plenty of good roots than a large top, 

 as a top can soon be developed if the roots are good. 



Distance Apart. The distance between trees depends 

 on the kind planted and the quality of the land. On 

 rich land the trees named should be put forty feet apart, 

 in fairly good soil about thirty feet, and in poor soil twenty 

 feet apart. This gives sufficient room for good develop- 

 ment, but where a quick effect is wanted, it is a good 

 plan to set the permanent trees forty feet apart and use 

 Cottonwood, Willow, or similar fast-growing trees to 

 alternate with one of the kinds named as desirable, with 

 the expectation of cutting out the less valuable when 

 it shall have commenced to crowd the more desirable 

 kinds. 



Planting. Provided the soil is in the proper condition, 

 the next consideration is the proper planting of the tree. 



