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Linn County Nursery, Center Point, Iowa 
Ornamental Department 
SELECT EVERGREENS 
The following are the best sorts of Evergreens to plant in this part of the state 
for shelter belts and ornament. There is nothing which will add more to the value of 
a farm or more comfort to the home than a well-arranged plantation of Evergreens. 
Their shade is cool and refreshing in summer, and a belt of them is the greatest 
barrier against winter blasts which can be provided. Our Evergreens have been two 
and three times transplanted, are heavy-rooted and stocky, thrifty plants. 
How to Plant and Care for Evergreens 
Soil. Any soil that will grow corn and 
garden vegetables is suitable for Ever- 
greens. 
Planting. Dig holes large, so that 
roots are not crowded, using top soil in 
bottom of hole and also arranging the 
roots carefully, working the fine soil 
around and among the roots with your 
hand. Shake the tree occasionally as 
the filling is going on, to settle the soil, 
at the same time raising the tree to the 
desired depth. 
When the roots are well covered, 
hold the tree upright and firm while you 
tread the soil very firmly around the tree 
with the feet. 
When this is done you have a basin or 
hole around the tree that will hold one- 
half to a pail full of water, according to 
size of tree. Fill this basin with water, 
after it is all soaked away — say in half an 
hour — fill the the basin with good mellow 
soil which must be left loose and not 
tramped. Take your tree to place of plant- 
ing well covered with wet moss and 
blankets, dipping each root in a barrel 
or bucket of water just before placing 
in hole. 
Watering. The month of August is the most critical time for newly planted Ever- 
greens, for during this month, unlike deciduous trees. Evergreens make a new root 
growth, therefore require moisture. If rains have not been plenty the trees should be 
watered. Make a basin around each tree by pulling away the soil with a hoe and water 
exactly as described above. If the season is hot and dry, this watering should be com- 
menced the latter part of July and repeated at intervals of two weeks during the entire 
period of drought. 
Cultivation. Good cultivation is very essential to the growth of vegetation of 
all kinds and nothing appreciates this good cultivation better than trees. They should 
be cultivated by hoe or horse cultivator, twice a week up to August i, when a good 
mulch of partly rotted hay or straw should be given; but care should be taken that 
green manure is not used as a mulch, as this is detrimental to their best growth. 
Seedlings. The largest sizes of Seedling Evergreens should be planted and treated 
as above; small sizes should be planted in well-prepared beds with dibble, and shaded 
the first season. 
Windbreaks. Distance apart for windbreaks. Spruce, Firs and Arborvitses: 
Single row, 4 to 6 feet; double row, 10 feet. Scotch and Austrian Pines: Single row, 
8 feet; double row, 10 to 12 feet. White pine: Single row, 8 feet; double row, 12 to 14 
feet. 
Hedges. Evergreen hedge, American Arborvitae, sizes from 10 to 18 inches, 15 
inches apart; 18 to 24 inches, 18 inches apart; 2 to 3 feet and larger, 2 feet apart. Spruce, 
2 to 4 feet apart, according to size. 
COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE (see page 24) 
