PARK AND CEMETERY. 
94 
price, but that he thought them so well 
■adapted to the dry Western climate that 
he refused to ‘send the cream to Eng- 
land and keep the skim milk for us.’ ” 
It is certainly interesting as well as 
pleasant to know that both of these 
vegetable pioneers in civilization 
(which is rather turning the tables) 
are in fine condition today. 
The Franklin Grove tree is forty- 
five feet high “by actual measure- 
ment,” according to Mr. Crawford, 
and fifty-eight inches in circumfer- 
ence one foot above the ground and 
“very handsome,” but it is not a per- 
fect specimen. Some of the lower 
branches have unfortunately been re- 
moved and (judged by its ^’ otograph, 
which the writer has seen) it has not 
been as well grown and is not so 
evenly developed as the second pio- 
neer, seen in our cut. It has, how- 
ever, borne cones twice, a few three 
years ago and four last year, and has 
matured seed. 
The specimen represented "here is 
estimated to be about thirty-five feet 
high, possibly a little more, and has 
never borne cones, but it stands forth 
a perfect exponent of coniferous 
beauty. It shows the marked whorled 
arrangement of branches characteris- 
tic of the type with every one intact 
from the lowest tier, which sweep the 
sward, to the tip of its graceful spire; 
a silvery blue cone of surpassing love- 
liness. 
It is on the home five acres of the 
old Douglas estate at Waukegan, 111., 
thirty-five miles north of Chicago. 
The estate is known as Larchmere 
and has for some twenty years been 
owned and occupied by Mr. Edward 
L. Upton, a Chicago corporation law- 
yer, and his wife, now president of 
the Chicago Woman’s Club. This 
tree has had the inestimable privileges 
of good care and room for develop- 
ment. 
Mrs. Upton, who thoroughly appre- 
ciates her good fortune in coming 
into possession of this and many 
more, rich arboreal treasures, and, 
having had the advantage of training 
in their requirements from Mr. Doug- 
las himself, sees to it that they re- 
ceive proper treatment. 
To the left of the Blue Spruce (as 
you look at the picture) is seen part 
of the “original” Douglas’ Golden At' 
borvitae, the very sport from wbichi 
all those in existence have sprung. It 
is a handsome tree and still shows its- 
distinct golden markings, especially on' 
the young growth. 
The Larchmere spruce has never 
borne cones, and only one of the sev- 
eral others on the place has borne 
any and that only last year, when one 
tree had quite a cluster, though it is 
doubtful if they matured seed as they 
were still quite green when the Frank-- 
lin Grove seed was fully ripe. “Mike.” 
an ancient servitor who worked orf 
the Douglas grounds many years, and 
who comes around to look at his old 
tree friends now and then, discovered 
these cones and in considerable ex-' 
citement informed Mrs. Upton that" 
“them seeds are worth ten dollars a 
pound.” “Very well,” said Mrs. Up- ' 
ton, “you may have them, Mike.” So ' 
it may be that some one sat up with: 
them on chilly nights to make su»e-‘ 
of proper returns. 
Fr.\nces Copley Seavey. 
WORK OF THE NEWARK TREE COMMISSION 
There is probably no city in the 
country that has developed so complete 
and satisfactory a system of caring for 
the park and city trees as Newark, 
N. J., under its Shade Tree Commis- 
sion. By acts of the legislature and 
city ordinances the commission in- 
cludes in its labors the active control 
of the park system, and, moreover, its 
work has already become so effective 
and economical that with the endorse- 
ment of well nigh universal public ap- 
probation the commission’s work is 
broadening out and is attracting atten- 
tion far and wide. In 1907 there were 
planted 3,177 trees covering 25 miles 
of Newark’s streets, which makes from 
the inception of the Commission, in 
1904, a total of 72.91 miles planted with 
8,135 trees. The average assessment 
per tree in 1907 was only $2.49 ; in 
1906 it was $2.92 and in 1905, $4.44; 
which goes to show what experience 
coupled with intelligent business prin- 
ciples may do for the community. The 
above figures cover cost of tree, ex- 
pense of cutting flagging and cement 
where necessary, excavating and sub- 
soiling, and of the guard, collar and 
stake. The Commission’s work is not 
by any means finished when the tree is 
planted, but extends indefinitely to their 
systematic care, and this necessitates 
the employment of skilled labor. In 
1907 many hundreds of trees were set 
out in response to individual requests 
which are not included in the above 
figures. Newark has, approximately, 
275 miles of streets with 80,000 trees 
thereon, making the work of the com- 
mission highy responsible. Spraying 
the trees, wherever and whenever nec- 
essary, to protect them from insect 
and fungus enemies is also an impor- 
tant and at present an indispensable 
department of the tree work, and is 
very carefully attended to. In 1907 a 
city tree nursery was set up and stock- 
ed, by which it is expected to reduce- 
the cost and reap the advantages in 
the choice and culture of the young 
trees, and to minimize the annual loss 
in newly set out stock. To keep an 
accurate record of work done, from 
which are compiled the Commission’s 
reports, pay-rolls, assessments, etc., two 
blank forms are used ; a daily fore- 
man’s report, and a weekly summary of 
foremen’s reports. The daily report 
comprises five columns sub-headed as 
follows from left to right: Place Work, 
Employee, Hours, Rate. The weekly 
summary blank is ruled for Name, fol- 
lowed by columns for days of the week, 
and for Rate, Amount, and Remarks. 
From these two reports lists can be 
prepared showing streets whereon trees 
and their varieties are planted, on which 
trees are sprayed, cocoons are removed; 
trees treated for borers, trees pruned, 
etc., etc. From the same reports state- 
ments can be prepared concerning the 
development of new park spaces, plant- 
ing of shrubs, bulbs and park trees, 
renovations and work in the parks, etc. 
This is a simple but, as experience 
( Continued on p X) 
