24 



you prefer and remove the rest. As this retained shoot grows and 

 makes its branches, keep cutting oft the lower ones until the stem 

 is as high as you desire, after which it may be trusted to care for 

 itself. It rarely attains great size but the wood is valuable for tool 

 handles, mallets, etc., where it will undergo hard usage. As a 

 forest tree it is scarcely better than a weed, permitting no other 

 species to get a start beneath its shade. The fruit is a small, red 

 berry maturing in September. The berries may be picked from the 

 tree and macerated until the pulp can be removed from the seeds. 

 Mix these with damp sand and place in well drained ground over 

 winter. Plant early in spring. During summer protect from the 

 hot sun. After two years the plants may be set out, either in the 

 open or under the shade of other trees. 



The alternate-leaved dogwood, having a ^'blue-black" berry, is of 

 little value even as an ornamental tree. 



TUPELO, PEPPERIDGE, BLACK OR SOUR GUM. 



Nyssa sylvatica, Marsh. 



Black gum, in favored localities, often grows to a large size. It 

 prefers damp, rich soils but will grow in dry situations. It may be 

 used for landscape work. The wood is hard to split and is used 

 where such characteristic is needed. The fruit ripens in Septem- 

 ber and may be picked from the tree. Macerate in warm water until 

 the seed or stone is clean. Mix with damp sand and place in ground 

 well protected from moisture. In spring sow about two inches apart 

 in rows. Keep the beds moist. In two years the plants may be 

 moved and should be set two to three feet apart. They are, other- 

 wise, likely to branch. 



LAUREL, MOUNTAIN LAUREL, OALICO-BUSH. 



• Kalmia latifolia, L. 



RHODODENDRON, ROSE-BAY, GREAT LAUREL. 



Rhododendron maximun, L. 



These two shrubs are of little value other than for ornamental 

 use. They are comparatively easy to transplant from the woods. 

 The young plants should be taken up in early spring with consider- 

 able dirt to the roots. After transplanting pack a thick layer of 

 leaves about the foot of the shrub and keep them moist until a good 

 growth is evident. Propagation from seed is said to be difficult and 

 expensive. For planting in open grounds it is best to secure speci- 

 mens which have grovvn in open grounds. 



