10 THE NtJT CtTLTUEIST. 



in all seriousness, if it is not about time that our farmers 

 and rural population generally began to count their 

 worthless and unproductive possessions, in the form of 

 roadside and other shade trees — which have probably 

 cost fully as much to secure, plant and care for during 

 the few or many years since they were set out, as would 

 have been expended upon the most beautiful and valu- 

 able nut-bearing kinds. If our ancestors were at fault 

 in the selection of trees for planting, we need not expect 

 that posterity will excuse us for continuing and repeat- 

 ing their folly, especially when our dear-bought experi- 

 ence should teach us better. 



At the present time there might be some diflSculty 

 in procuring, at the nurseries, a choice selection of nut 

 trees in any considerable quantity, suited to roadside 

 planting, because heretofore there has been little de- 

 mand for such stock ; and nurserymen are only human, 

 and conduct their establishments on business principles, 

 propagating the kind of trees in greatest demand, regard- 

 less of their intrinsic or future value to purchasers. 

 They will also continue producing such stock just so 

 long as the demand will warrant it, and further, it is 

 but natural that they should sometimes recommend and 

 advise their customers to purchase worthless, and even 

 pestiferous kinds, such as the ailanthus and white pop- 

 lar, because the profits in raising these trees are large 

 and there is little danger of loss in transplanting. But 

 if purchasers will insist on having better kinds and re- 

 fuse to accept any other, they will soon be accommo- 

 dated ; and if not, then let everyone who owns a plot of 

 ground become his own propagator of trees. It is not 

 beyond the ability of any moderately intelligent man (or 

 woman, for that matter) to raise nut trees, and as readily 

 as one could potatoes or corn. 



Where farmers want a row of trees along the road- 

 side, to be utilized for line fence posts, they cannot pos- 



