22 Tree Culture. 



should not be wholly robbed of its leave-buds. Blossom-buds, on the con- 

 trary, it is well to remove. The act of flowering always makes a severe 

 draft upon a tree's vitality. If the roots are shortened, the branches 

 should be served likewise, in order that the tree may be well-balanced. 

 But the less of curtailment there is at either extremity, especially at the 

 roots, the better. 



A tree should have food. It cannot grow in earth where red-sorrel 

 would die of starvation. Therefore dig a deep, wide hole for the recep- 

 tion of the tree you are planting. Fill it with mellow and nutrieious soil. 

 The best manure for this purpose is decayed vegetable matter, which may 

 be procured in abundance from the woods. Its fertilizing and stimulating 

 qualities are improved by mixing it wifh lime or ashes. 



Ordinarily, a tree is without weapons of defence. Therefore, drive 

 stakes about it. Protect it from the force of winds, the pressure of snow- 

 drifts, and the vandalism of cattle. 



A tree is a drinking animal — a Maine law toper. Therefore give it 

 plenty of water. If the water is foul and soapy, so much the more ac- 

 ceptable. Deluge your trees, now and then, from top to base with an 

 artificial shower, and they will smile you their thanks from winking leaves 

 and glistening bark. Watch them before the coming of hot weather by 

 placing straw or chip manure about their roots. Thus you will save the 

 soil from baking, and losiiig its nourishment by evaporation. If after aU 

 this attention, they should refuse to live, you can suiTer their loss witli a 

 clear conscience. You have done what you could. 



There is no denying, that to plant trees in this way, demands in the 

 outset, much time, and trouble and expense. But in the long run, it will 

 effect a saving of all three. What is once well done, seldom needs to be 

 repeated. What is only ill performed needs to be done over and over 

 ac^ain, endlessly, yet without reaching any satisfactory result. 



In conclusion, I can express no kindlier wish for my dearest friend, 

 than that he may live to a green old age, at peace with man and his ma- 

 ker, and pass it amid vines and peach trees, amid plum and pear trees, 

 amid apple and cherry trees, with here and there a thrifty elm or maple, 

 linden or oak, which his own hands have planted and watered, pruned 

 and mulched, manured and defended in his and their early years, with 

 none to disturb him by a note protested, or to make him afraid by a 

 threatened law suit. All this I wish most heartily, for each and every 

 reader of the Horticultural Review. 



