FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 37 1 



political influences, and would be more apt to have the long tenure of office necessary 

 to the proper management of the work. The planting and care of street trees belongs 

 to the city government as much as street paving. Under the stimulus of local 

 improvement societies enthusiastic individuals plant trees; but when they sell their 

 property or move away, the trees are apt to be neglected. Moreover, it is impossible 

 without municipal control to secure the concerted action necessary for planting a 

 street its entire length with uniform and properly selected species. 



Then again, under the management of a special city department, properly supplied 

 with funds, the spraying of trees and suppression of insect pests can be successfully 

 accomplished; but it is doubtful if our trees can be preserved from this evil through 

 the partial and disconnected efforts of individuals. 



As in Washington and Paris, every city should establish nurseries supported by 

 municipal appropriations, in which the various species best adapted to street planting 

 can be propagated and grown with special reference to such use. 



People who question the advisability of planting shade trees in cities, rehearse the 

 old story about the injurious effects of smoke, dust and pavements, and then point to 

 the sickly, deformed specimens in proof of their argument. But these unfortunate trees 

 are the result of poor selection, bad planting, and neglect ; and the blame should not 

 be laid elsewhere. Asphalt pavement, though impervious to rain, will not prevent 

 trees from obtaining moisture. On the other hand it prevents evaporation; the 

 earth beneath it is always damp, for there is still a supply of water from adjoining 

 areas and small underground courses. For years the street trees of Washington and 

 Paris have grown and flourished on the asphalt pavement of those cities. 



Let every citizen who finds enjoyment in well shaded streets make an- effort to 



procure the passage of a city ordinance placing the entire control of the trees of his 



town in the hands of the park department or some special commission, and use his 



influence, also, to see that ample funds are annually appropriated to carry on the 



good work. 



" Wide let its hollow bed be made! 

 There gently lay the roots, and there 

 Sift the dark mould with kindly care, 



And press it o'er them tenderly 

 As, round the sleeping infant's feet, 

 We softly fold the cradle-sheet, 



So plant each shrub and tree." 



