45 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
as a dire necessity. We were compelled to do this 
at first, for some things, and were moderately suc- 
cessful with American sycamores, elms, scarlet ma- 
ples and tulip trees. It is my deliberate opinion 
that in the interest of economy it is better to get 
nursery-grown trees. Every city, village or sub- 
urban town ambitious for distinction for being well 
planted with trees, should have a nursery of its 
own, where healthy trees can be reared. Get clean 
seedlings from some reliable source, cultivate, prune 
and train them in the way they should grow, in the 
best ground attainable. This last suggestion is of 
great importance. Trees from a poor, thin, grav- 
elly soil, or from a wet, sour, undrained one, are 
worthless. 
“The ash leaved maple (Acer negundo), a her- 
ald of spring, with its beautiful green foliage, and 
its rapid growth, would be an excellent street tree 
were it not for the bag-worm and web-caterpillar 
being so fond of it. It should be skillfully pruned 
to keep it in good health. With the sycamore ma- 
ple we have had only moderate success. It soon 
gets covered with seeds, indicating its arrival at 
maturity, a desirable condition in a fruit, but not 
in a street tree. Some fine specimens of Acer cam- 
pcstre planted on the Capitol grounds have been 
tomahawked lately, agreeable to an uninstructed, 
semi-popular request. A variety of this English 
maple grows more freely and is altogether a larger, 
different appearing tree, and may, when more abun- 
dant, make a street tree. 
“The tulip tree is not, in my opinion, a good 
curb tree, although the park way is planted with it. 
If the trees are well cared for it will make the hand- 
somest avenue in Washington. Permit me to in- 
troduce one which I think is among the best as a 
curb tree, the Gingko, or maiden hair tree. Two of 
these interesting trees have flourished in Washing- 
ton for sixty years or more. Several streets are now 
planted with them, where they are very fine, and 
fruit freely. I have never seen an insect near 
them. 
“The Western Rock Elm (Ulmus racemosa), is 
a tree worthy of more attention. A dozen or more 
as curb trees mixed with other elms are not attacked 
by an insect as far as my observation goes. It is a 
good street tree. The Wha-hoo’ (Ulmus alata). is 
another not attacked by insects. It is worthy of 
trial in the North. I have only to mention the 
majestic American elm and say, give it room, it 
must have room. To say more in New England 
would be supererogation. Another remark we 
might make — it bears the knife when young, but 
not the saw. In after-time only dire necessity should 
be the excuse. 
“Permit me here to name a few probationers for 
the office of street decoration, and as sanitary cool - 
ing agents: Phellodendrons amurensis I think would 
fill both offices; Zelkova orinate, and Z. acuminata, 
Celtis occidentalis (American nettle tree) and C. 
crassifolia (hackberry) we would call necessary 
trees. Birds get the fruit in hard weather, and for 
this reason we recommend them to be planted in 
parks and other places. The Japanese CataJpa is 
of more upright habit than the American species, and 
is, I think, a probable street tree in some sections. 
Ostrya Virglnica (Hop Hornbeam) would make 
a nice, small, but rather slow-growing street tree. 
Kolreuteria paniculata would be a doubtful candi- 
date for street decoration. I make bold to recom- 
mend that much abused tree, Ailanthus glandulosa, 
for certain streets. The objection to this tree is its 
odor when in flower, which can be overcome by 
cutting it back every two or three years. The mem- 
bers of the Willow family aflect damp, swampy, 
ague-breeding places, and in various ways are candi- 
dates for the high honors of quinine, as a cure for 
intermittent fever. 
“I have never been in favor of spending large 
sums of money for moving trees, even to satisfy 
public demand. I have looked in vain for perma- 
nent success in this matter. It usually takes a 
young, healthy tree about the same time to grow 
up as it does a large one to die, after being removed. 
Much more might be said on this subject, but it is 
enough if I show you that it is better to observe 
and think before spending money on transplanting 
large trees. 
“By cutting back severely, careful watering 
when necessary, and cultivating with the assiduity 
of a good farmer towards his corn crop, we reached 
a phenomenal success in the early days of tree plant- 
ing in Washington. Another suggestion: do not 
let dudeism drive the white-washer from your street 
trees. If he uses lime, blue or other colored clay, 
sulphur, lampblack, salt, or other material, he will 
greatly improve your trees and add to the health of 
the neighborhood, perhaps killing the much dreaded 
microbes of diseases as well as scale insects and fun- 
goids. It will not stop horses from nibbing at the 
bark; woven wire must be used for that. For bad 
boys who injure trees and for gas leaks it is difficult 
to suggest remedies. I can only say, mend the latter 
and try to improve the former. Arbor Day and 
memorial tree planting should go hand in hand, 
creating a sentiment of love and veneration for trees. ” 
The month of roses is close at hand, and some 
of the parks and cemeteries having especially good 
selections of the beautiful plant, will be at their 
best. The Wooded Island, Jackson Park, Chicago, 
is noted for its rose display. 
