1862. 



THE rLLi:NOIS FAEMEE. 



163 



them with the axe, to be replaced with a 

 more comly style. We do not claim to be 

 perfect, but do claim that we are not like a 

 mule, always of the same stubborn way, but 

 susceptable of yet learning something to our 

 advantage. 



For a yonng orchard, we claim to have a 

 pretty good one, at least it pleases us at 

 this time, as it is set well in fruit, and gives 

 promise of substantial returns ; but had we 

 planted low headed trees at the same time 

 it would have been worth more than double 

 its present value. "We have no doubt of 

 complete! success in orcharding on the prai- 

 ries with the use of our timber belts. With 

 Cottonwood, Tree Willow and Silver Leaf 

 Maple, we can, in a few years make an ef- 

 fective screen for orchard and farm crops 



Evergreen Trees. 



Mr. Editor : — It has often been remarked in 

 my hearing that even a few evergreen trees 

 planted on a pleasure ground or front lawn, im- 

 part a greater degree of successful improvement 

 than treble the quantity of deciduous traes. I 

 suppose the reason arises from the circumstance 

 that we have very few native evergreen forests ; 

 consequently the presence of them indicates that 

 they have been selected, and placed there from 

 design, and not sprung up naturally. Few per- 

 Bons are aware of the warmth and shelter given 

 by a good evergreen tree, and a thickly planted 

 mass will very materially change the climate, if 

 they are placed on the most exposed >and bleak 

 quarters. 



There is a prevailing opinion that evergreens 

 are more difficult to cultivate than deciduous 

 trees : there is no reason for this opinion that I 

 am aware uf, unless it may arise from dieap- 

 pointments in transplanting at improper seasons, 

 and setting out large trees that have had their 

 roots mutilated and dried up before planting. — 

 The only hope for the life of a tree, when treated 

 in that manner, is to prune the branches very 

 eeverely, I have seen them pruned so close 

 that they resembled fishing poles, and, after two 

 years, make thick-set, fine umbrageous trees. — 

 The spring is by far the best time to plant them, 

 and if it can be so regulated, the most certain of 

 all times is just ab they commence to push into 

 growth ; moved with even ordinary care, few 

 will fail to grow, and, if pruned according to the 

 quantity of roots left on them, failures need not 

 occur. No rule can be given in. pruning, as 

 each tree may be differently circumstanced in 

 this respect ; but it is safe to err on the side of 

 reducing the branches well at removal. 



Eversreeus are most abundant in moist cli- 

 mates, and many kinds that are perectly hardy 



in more Northern latitudes in the old world will 

 not stand our clear, dry spring weather. Wo 

 have a great variety, however, that have proved 

 able to withstand the climate here — a few of 

 which I will mention : 



1. HEMiocK Speucb. — I place this first on the 

 Tst, because I think it the most beautiful of all 

 evergreen trees. There is a peculiar graceful- 

 ness in its wavy branches that commands atten- 

 tion ; and, as it suffers no injury from clipping 

 or pruning, it may be kept down to any size or 

 shape, and is thus also admirably adapted to or- 

 namental hedges, and is often used for snch 

 with the best results. Notwithstanding its be- 

 ing a native here, and even farther North, it 

 likes shelter as well as shade; the harsh March 

 and April winds are apt to scorch the hemlock 

 trees when they are fully exposed. It is well, 

 therefore, to place them in the front of groupea 

 of more robust evergreens ; and their grace and 

 beauty peculiarly adapt them for finishing plan- 

 tations, or forming evergreen masses of shrub- 

 bery, or sheltering thickets. 



(Oa the prairie we have been unable to grow 

 the hemlock, unless shaded and protected by 

 other trees, it is therefore scarcely worth the 

 trouble to plant it in this part of the state. 



Ed. Ills. Fabmbe. 



2. Norway Fib. — This is, without any if or 

 but, the most useful evergreen we possess. It is 

 perfectly reliable in all locations, and will exist 

 in all locations, and in almost any kind 

 of soil, but luxuriates, like most of its class, 

 in a rich, c'ayey loam. Hedges of (he Norway 

 are now very common, and no kind of hedge can 

 compare with it in beauty or efficiency. Single 

 specimens in good soil speedily attain a good 

 size, grow ng about three feet annually. Many 

 of them have a drooping habit ; th s habit, how- 

 ever does not obtain until the tree is twenty-five 

 or thirty feet high, and is not observed when the 

 tree is small. After severe frosty winds in 

 March, the Norway will sometimes indicate that 

 it has suffered, by a premature falling of the 

 foliage, but it is not only on the most bleak ex- 

 poseures that such injury will be experienced. — 

 It is one of the easiest trees to remove, and will 

 exist under treatment that might well be consid- 

 ered barbarous. 



3. White Pine. — This a noble, and one of the 

 tallest of American trees. (Of course, the great 

 Washingtonia is not included in this compari- 

 son.) Its admission in pleasure grounds mus be 

 duly considered, as it is too large, and its 

 branches too wide spreading, for small grounds, 

 or placing very near buildings In large laws it 

 forms a fine feature, and can be rendered of 

 great utility by an inteligent planter, Its sil- 

 very, delicate foliage forms a pleasing variety 

 with the more sombre Norway Fir, and other 

 Pines, It suffers more from transplanting than 

 the Norway Fir, and should be well pruned back 

 when removed. I have seen trees of this speciee 

 trimmed to a bare pole, become handsome plants 

 in a few years. On dry gravelly banks the 

 White Pine progresses slowly, although they can 

 be made to grow even on a shallow soil by an 

 annual top-dressing of manure over the roots. 



