440 
THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA 
his subordinates ; to see that his chief assistants are doing 
the work for which they were employed and not work 
whicli could be more economically and perhaps better 
done by clerks. He also appreciates the value of centrali- 
zation and does not allow the duplication of effort which 
is found in many park departments. To accomplish 
this, he insists on his chief subordinates reporting daily, 
weekly or monthly on all the phases of their work. These 
reports are submitted in summary form and include com- 
parisons with previous periods. As examples of the re- 
ports which a park superintendent should require those 
of refectory managers to the refectory supervisor and the 
supervisor to the superintendent are described. 
The manager's dailv report should show the force at 
work, the sales bv departments compared with the same 
day of the preceding week, supplies needed, and under 
comments any unusual happenings and reasons for in- 
crease or decrease in business. At stated periods he 
should rate the efficiency of his employees. The super- 
visor should consolidate the manager's reports as to force 
and sales and should give his own explanation of increase 
or decrease in business. He should include under his 
comments any information which might be of use to other 
operating divisions. His monthly reports should sum- 
marize the daily reports. 
Other heads of divisions should make similar reports 
at such intervals as the activity of their divisions makes 
necessary. All these reports should be periodical. The 
superintendent's desk will serve as the clearing house. 
Reports requiring no action will be filed and matters need- 
ing attention the superintendent will take up during the 
daily conference with the head of the division affected. 
On the basis of the efficiency ratings of the foremen 
or managers, efficiency records should be kept for all em- 
ployees. Employees who claim unfair treatment should 
have the privilege of appeal to the superintendents. Effi- 
ciency records plus seniority should be the basis for pro- 
motions or reduction of force. 
A new venture in park activities is the employment of 
a publicity man who stimulates interest in the parks and 
their activities. He continually forces on the public the 
fact that it is not making full use of its property. Catchy- 
slogans, timely news items and attractive posters are the 
means of increasing patronage which in turn creates 
boosters for park activities who stand behind the board 
when appropriations for park activities are under con- 
sideration. 
In so short a time you realize it is only possible to 
scratch the surface of the daily worries which confront 
every park superintendent. 
The essential elements in the successful administration 
of parks are first, an organization with the lines of au- 
thority clearly drawn and responsibility definitely fixed, 
second, freedom for employees in executive positions to 
use their own judgment within the lines drawn, and third, 
a modern accounting system to enable the superintendent 
and the board to exercise constant control over all park 
activities. The board and park officials must not forget 
that they are the trustees of the public. 
^Address delivered before the convention of the American Association of 
Park Superintendents at New Orleans. 
PRUNING EVERGREENS 
"F) O not prune evergreens," is pretty safe advice to 
give but there are times and conditions which 
sometimes make it advisable, writes Ernest Hemming in 
The National Nurseryman. Most evergreens have a 
very symmetrical habit of growth, and, if allowed to grow 
unrestricted in any way, will usually form a tree that can- 
not be improved upon, as far as symmetry and beauty 
are concerned. 
Pruning is more likely to mar this beauty than enhance 
it. Very young plants in the nursery do require a little 
clipping to get them well forced and trained in the way 
they should go, but even this is better done with pruning 
knife rather than shears. 
Evergreens of the Retinispora type often make three 
or four leaders ; if left to themselves one will eventually 
become the main leader, but the secondary ones will make 
such a strong growth that it forms a cleavage in the 
branches of the tree that is a weakness in the trees in 
snows and storms. This should be corrected in the young 
tree by pruning. 
In trees of Spruce and Fir type no pruning at all is 
necessary, unless it be to repair an accident, such as the 
breaking of the leader by a bird alighting on it while it 
is still very young, when they are very tender. 
In such an event the tree will likely form two or more 
shoots to take the place of the broken one. In this event 
cut back all but the strongest and best-placed shoot, which 
will form the new leader or main stem of the tree. 
Sometimes trees of this type are thin and not well fur- 
nished. If it be desired to thicken them up, it can be 
done by pinching back the new growth while it is young 
and lender. It should be done while the shoots are still 
so young that they can be pinched off by the thumb and 
finger. 
The same remarks are equally applicable to the Pine 
trees, which are identical in growth to the Firs and 
Spruces. 
When evergreens are planted for hedge purposes the 
situation is entirely altered, as the natural habit of the 
plant is entirely suppressed. Under such conditions it 
is well to thoroughly understand what might be termed 
their adaptability to pruning. 
For convenience, they may be divided into two groups : 
Group No. 1, such as Pines, Spruces, Firs and Hem- 
locks, cannot be depended upon to break from the old 
wood to any very great extent, and it naturally follows 
that if they are cut back very hard they will be bare 
stumps for a long time, if they ever recover. All the 
pruning or clipping that should be done consists of short- 
ening back the new growth just about as it is completed 
in May or June. It can be readily seen that hedges 
should be formed of young plants that will grow to- 
gether and be gradually formed by the annual clipping. 
Group No. 2, such as Yews, Hollies, Box Arborvitaes, 
Portugal and English Laurels, Osmanthns, Retinisporas, 
break rather freely from the old wood, and may be cut 
back more severely with good prospects of their clothing 
themselves with new foliage. They, of course, make 
closer and more compact hedges. Larger plants — accord- 
ing to their kind — may be used, although if you want a 
perfect hedge without gaps and holes, well furnished 
right to the ground, you must start with rather small 
plants, say, not much higher than eight feet. 
The clipping should be done about May and June, as 
with Group No. 1. 
It is sometimes advisable, for the purpose of getting 
the very best color effects, to prune Retinisporas and 
evergreens used for this particular purpose. Practically 
all of them show their best color on the young wood. To 
get this young wood and to keep an abundance of it, it is 
advisable to prune after the plant has made about half 
its growth. This, as already noted, gives best color effect 
and also keeps the plant compact. This pruning, how- 
ever, should be very carefully done, so that the general 
character of the plant is not destroyed. Pinching back, 
as already described in this article, is perhaps the best 
method. 
