Instead of endeavoring to secure a full-grown plantation all 
at once, is it not far more interesting to make a planting of small 
well-shaped individuals, cultivating them carefully, studying 
their infinite variety, becoming familiar with their personalities, 
regarding them indeed as plants in a flower garden, a green 
garden, but so placing them that after enjoying their young 
beauty for fifteen years, the result is a Pinetum of specimen 
trees. 
The constantly stiff south-west wind of this region, the very 
"breeze" which makes this section of Long Island an ideal 
summer retreat is one of the enemies of the Evergreen; another 
is the ice-storm, but even this latter can be borne in a still air 
in which the branches with their heavy white load are not swayed 
to and fro, it is evident again that protection by the wind-break 
is the most important factor. During the severe winter of 1912 
none of the large specimens in. my protected Pinetum were 
injured in the least, while many native red Cedars growing wild 
outside in an unprotected position were killed. 
While Evergreens may be set out in the spring, just before 
the leaf buds begin to swell, they may also be successfully 
planted in late August or September, especially if the summer 
has been wet so that they may have stored up a goodly supply 
of sap for the coming winter. If, however, the autumn shall 
prove a dry one much watering will be needed to start the trees 
well and send them through the winter in good condition. 
My trees have almost all been set out in September. I have 
chosen small specimens, 18 inches to 2 feet tall, and if the 
weather happened to be dry when they were dug, I have puddled 
them, planting them almost in mud. While most Evergreens 
will endure drought, they must not be allowed to dry out while 
being moved. It is well to keep them moist from the time they 
are dug until reset, hence the advisability of securing trees from 
a nearby nursery if possible and with a good sized ball of earth, 
giving them a good sprinkling when first received. 
Most of my trees have come from Hicks at Westbury, L. I., 
or from the Oak Park Nurseries at Patchogue. But let me urge 
you to obtain your stock from your nearest fine Nursery. 
The rose-bug in bad seasons may seriously injure young 
Evergreens by gnawing the tender new growths causing them 
to fall over and die. When the leader is thus attacked the 
symmetrical development of the tree may be permanently ruined. 
It is well to caution the man who runs the lawnmower not 
to thrust the machine into the trees in his effort to cut the grass 
close to it ; the lower branches should be allowed to extend to 
their full length that they may lie upon the sod and preserve 
the full conical outlines of the perfect tree. 
W. E. Wheelock. 
East Hampton, Long Island. 
138 
