E\ i:i;(ii;EEN twees. 45 



Bt'ujaiuin CJ. 8iiiitli tiskod what fertilizers are best to use for 

 evergreens. 



Mv. DaAvsoii replied that any good manure can be used. Cow 

 manure is preferable on high, dry land, — in fact anj^where except 

 on low. wet places. 



Echnund Herse}' regarded the Hemlock as the most hardy and 

 i"eliable, as well as the most beautiful evergreen tree we have. On 

 his land he has no other tree of this family that will endure the 

 extremes of our climate so well. He has them in positions 

 exposed to the ocean blasts and the north and northwest winds, 

 iind they have sustained no injury during the last thirt}^ j^ears, 

 while some of his Eed Cedars, with the same exposure, and even 

 in more sheltered places, have been winter-killed. The hemlock 

 makes one of the most beautiful hedges, and it can be trimmed in 

 a manner to make a thick, close hedge to the ground, leaving no 

 •open space even after a period of thirty years. 



Mr. Dawson said there are no other evergreens in Massa- 

 chusetts — perhaps in the world — so fine as the Hemlock and 

 White Pine. The hemlock loves moisture, as from a brook at its 

 foot, but not to stand in decidedly wet land. It Avill thrive if it 

 has an eastern, northeastern, or even north or northwestern expo- 

 sure, better than with a south or southwestern aspect. He 

 considered both as among our most noble and valuable trees. 



Mr. Manning agreed with Mr. Dawson and Mr. Hersey as to 

 the hardiness of the hemlock. He referred to a certain slope or 

 steep hillside, in the Arnold Arboretum, at West Roxbur}-, Avhich 

 is well covered with a grove of fine specimens ; also to the 

 shore of Lake Kenoza, upon the grounds of the late Dr. James R. 

 Nichols, at Haverhill, and the east shore of Spot Pond in Med- 

 ford and Stoneham. One of the noblest specimens of this tree 

 known to him, is still growing in the west part of Wilmington ; 

 it is five feet in diameter, eighty feet high, and spreads its branches 

 over a diameter of sixty feet. The hemlock prefers a cool, damp 

 soil, but grows well on any deep soil in his own grounds, even 

 where the winds have ample sweep. In transplanting the hemlock 

 or any other species of conifer, drying between the digging up 

 and replanting should not be allowed. According to his knowl- 

 edge and experience the best thirty days in the whole year for 

 moving any conifers, in this latitude, are from April 20 to May 20. 

 He has long l)een known as an "evergreen" man, and has practised 

 close pruning of hedges and single specimens, but he is convinced 



