Center Point, Iowa 
19 
Evergreens 
The following species are the best kind of evergreens to plant in this state for 
shelter belts and ornaments. There is nothing which will add more to the value of 
a farm or more comfort to its occupants than a well arranged plantation of ever- 
greens. Their shade is cool and refreshing iu summer, and a belt of them is the 
greatest barrier against winter blasts that can be provided. 
Our evergreens have been two or three times transplanted; are heavily rooted, 
stocky and thrifty plants. Failure with evergreens is usually due to careless hand- 
ling, planting or cultivation. Any soil that will grow corn or garden vegetables is 
suitable for evergreens. 
DIRECTIONS FOR PLANTING AND CARING FOR EVERGREENS. 
Handling. Evergreen roots must always be very craefully protected from the sun 
and dry air If they ever become thoroughly dried, the tree, unlike other trees, can 
never be revived. The roots should be dipped in a paste of mud before placing in 
the hole. 
■ ■!->•■« iik • Dig holes large, so that the trees are not crowded, using the top soil in 
the bottom of the hole, and arranging the roots carefully, working the fine soil around 
and among them with your hand and shaking the tree occasionally as the filling is 
going on to settle the soil. When the roots are well covered, hold the tree upright, 
treading 'the soil very firmly around and over them with the feet. When this is done 
vou have a basin or a hole around the tree that will hold half a pail of water; fill this 
basin with water and in half an hour or so, after the water has soaked away, fill the 
basin with good, mellow soil without much tramping. 
Wnterlng. The month of August is the critical period for newly planted ever- 
greens for during this month, unlike deciduous trees evergreens make a new root 
erowth which requires moisture. If the rains have not been plentiful the trees should 
be watered Make a basin around each tree by pulling away the soil with a hoe and 
water as above. If the season is very hot and dry, this watering should be commenced 
the latter part of July and continued through the period of drouth. 
Cultivation. Thorough cultiva- 
tion is very essential to the growth 
of vegetation of all kinds and noth- 
ing appreciates it more than ever- 
greens. They should be cultivated 
at least once a week up to August 
1, when a good mulching of partial- 
ly rotted hay or straw may be 
given. Care should be taken not to 
use green manure as it is detri- 
mental. 
Seedlings. The largest sizes of 
seedlings may be planted and treat- 
ed as above; smaller sizes should be 
planted in well prepared beds with 
a dibble and shaded the first season. 
Windbreaks. Plant spruces, firs 
and arborvitaes in single rows, four 
to six feet apart; double rows, ten 
feet apart; Scotch and bull pines, 
single row. eight feet and double 
row ten to twelve feet; white pine, 
single row. eight feet double row, 
twelve to fourteen feet. 
Hedges. Arborvitae. ten to eight- 
een inches, fifteen inches apart; 
eighteen to twenty-four inches, 
eighteen inches apart; two feet and 
larger, two feet apart. Spruce and 
cedar, two to four feet apart, ac- 
cording to size. 
PINES 
White Pine (Pinous strobus) — One 
of the best, largest and longest 
li^ed Evergreens. The foliage is 
warm light green, often with a 
bluish tinge. The leaves are in 
fives', three to four inches long, 
very soft and delicately fragrant. 
After getting well started it is 
the most rapid grower of all 
