72 EXPEUBIENT STATION. [Jan. 



SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE GROWTH OF 

 ELM TREES. 



G. E. STONE. 



Trees like most plants, make different growths in soils of 

 different natures, and many of them respond noticeably to 

 cultivation. While no extensive experiments have been made 

 to determine the effects of specific fertilizers on shade trees, it 

 is well known that many varieties respond to such treatment. 

 The elm is especially susceptible to variations in soil texture, 

 requiring certain conditions for its best development. Dry, 

 gravelly soil causes a spindling growth, and it is very often 

 difficult to make young trees live in soils of this nature. ]\Iow- 

 ings are not at all favorable locations for elm trees, as the grass 

 robs them of considerable moisture ; and here young trees often 

 succumb in the struggle for existence. 



There are many elm trees on the college grounds which have 

 been for the most part set out by the different classes, and in 

 this immediate vicinity we have for some years had opportunity 

 to carefully observe the growth these elms have made. For 

 some time we have been making series of measurements at 

 frecpient intervals to determine the rate of growth under various 

 conditions, and the results of some of these observations are 

 presented here. 



In two rows of elm trees running north and south and grow- 

 ing in soils of similar texture we find quite marked differences 

 in the rate of growth. On one side of the road the trees have 

 been in mowing land ever since they were set out, about 

 thirty-two years ago, and on the other side they have been 

 growing in lawn conditions for the same length of time. As 

 the road was not very wide the roots of both rows of trees ex- 

 tended into the roadway, giving some of the roots similar con- 

 ditions. 



