PARK AND CEMETERY. 
Destroying the Mole. 
A subscriber inquires if the mole is 
strictly carnivorous, and also how to des- 
troy them. 
It IS customary to consider them 
carnivorous, though as recorded in a pre- 
vious volume, they have been known to 
live eni irely on vegetable food from necess- 
ity. Just like human beings, they have a 
preference, and in all probability roots 
are seldom touched for food. Ground mice 
, are very destructive, and should be blamed 
for much that is now laid at the door of 
the mole. 
From various reports, it is evident that 
the same method of destro) ing moles will 
not always answer. Some people have 
success with traps consisting of steel 
prongs set to spring downward when the 
mole passes beneath them, the trap being 
placed over a recent run. A Kentucky 
correspondent claims to have caught five 
and six a day with such traps. Others 
recommend poisoning meat and placing 
It in their runs. Bisulphide of carbon is 
also recommended. It is poured into a run, 
the entrance being immediately covered, 
while the fumes extend for a considerable 
distance, killing the animals it may- 
reach. 
The greatest success of others is to take 
notice of the time when the moles usually 
work, set a boy with a spade to watch the 
ground and dig up where any disturbance 
of the soil occurs. This is a sure way, and 
not so expensive and tedious as it may 
seem without trial. — Meehans' Mo?ithly 
for May. 
» * * 
Evergreen Trees. 
Evergreen trees are valuable for screens, 
for wind breaks, for a background against 
which to group trees with highly colored 
leaves or branches, and for winter decora- 
tion. Too many should not be used to- 
gether near the buildings, as they give a 
dark effect and often present an unhealthy 
appearance. 
The best time to plant evergreen trees 
is in the spring, during April or May, just 
when the buds are ready to push; or if fall 
planting is preferred, it should be done in 
October or November. Great care must 
be taken that the rootsdo not become dry 
by exposure to sun and wind. It is best to 
select, for their removal, a moist or rainy 
day. 
Austrian pine ( Pinus Austriaca ) is of 
a compact growth; it is cone shaped, with 
a broad base. The leaves are dark green 
and nearly six inches long. The branches 
are equal around the tree, and well distii- 
buted. They need plenty of room for good 
development. Thistreecan be mostsifely 
removed when not more than three feet 
high. 
Red cedar ( Juniperus Virginiana) is 
one of the hardiest and most easily grown 
evergreens; but the principal objection to 
this tree, is that it is often badly attacked 
by the fungus ( gym nosporangium Macro- 
pus ), which spoils much of its attractions. 
Scotch pine ( Pynus sylvestris) is of 
more open spreading growth than the 
Austrian pine. The branches and foliage 
are not so heavy, and the leaves are of a 
lighter green. The Scotch pine grows 
quite rapidly, and if carefully handled can 
be reared with very good success. 
Dwarf pine ( Pinus Montana ). This 
tree forms a low, broad, dense, growth. 
The trunk is divided at the base into 
several ascending, smooth branches. The 
leaves are dark green. This tree grows 
quite readily when transplanted, and it is 
considered one of the best for hot and dry 
locations. — Neiv En^hxfid Florist. 
% ^ 
Palmetto Blooms. 
The cabbage, saw and blue palmetto 
are now in bloom in South Florida. The 
orange, lemon and peach trees are in 
bloom and so are the wild lupines. The 
air is laden with the wonderful fragrance 
of these beautiful flowers, that are to be 
seen everywhere. Bees are darting hither 
and yon, loading themselves with honey 
for their hive ho.Ties. One would think 
that where it is almost perpetual summer 
the honey bee would not be as industrious 
as in the colder climates, but this little 
worker is as active here as if he were com- 
pelled to make provision for a long, 
dreary and cold winter, just now the bee 
IS taking advantage of the palmetto bloom 
and storing much of the very best of honey 
from those flowers. 
The cabbage palmetto is a tall tree^ 
perhaps standing fifty feet high. The 
great bunch of flowers hangs from the ex- 
treme top and is several feet long. A sweet, 
nectar-like fluid, almost pure honey, is 
dripping from the flowers, This fluid cer- 
tainly is a nectar, a drink fit for the gods. 
The saw palmetto, the most common, 
is everywhere present. Its stalk of flowers 
is about two feet long and wonderfully 
sweet and fragrant. The saw palmetto is 
69 
so calleil because of the saw-like edges of 
ils leaf stems. 
The blue palmetto, growing by the side 
of the saw, has not sharp, prickly, but 
smooth stems. Its bloom is as grand and 
fragrant as either of the other kinds. 
The palmetto is a member of the palm 
family. It is thought that there are at least 
1. 000 species of palms and palmcttoes 
scattcied over the world. At least 600 are 
definitely knownand classiFnd. Humboldt 
computed the number of flowers upon a 
single plant at about 600 000. Upon an 
acre there are often a hundred palmettoes 
growing. A moment's calculation will 
show that when the p.ilmetto IS in bloom 
there are thousands of flowers everywhere 
.ind the air must be laden with healthful 
fragi nnce. 
I believe our Northern friends could 
procure the seed and have palmettoes 
growing in boxes about their houses It is 
doubtful if they would bloom in the north- 
ern climate, but the plant is ornamental 
wherever grown —PeJer Prindle, in 
Southern Fbrist. 
* 
Notes on Hardy Plants. 
The majority of hardy perennial plants 
and shrubs should be set out in the spring, 
although many are strong enough to with- 
stand the winter, if planted in the fall. 
Good protection, however, should be given 
if planted then. 
The perennial phlox is a great acquisi- 
tion to our hardy, summer blooming plants, 
being fine as individual specimens, with 
their large bunches of finely colored 
flowers, or as a background to smaller 
plants. They begin blossoming in July 
and last until late in the fall. 
Hardy herbaceous plants should be 
cultivated, that is hoed, watered, mulched 
and trained. Just as much as any of the 
more tender plants. Thisadvice may seem 
unnecessary to many, yet some flower 
growers never so much as hoe these plants 
after they are once set out. To be sure, 
they do care for themselves, in a great 
measure, but, at the same time, are very 
grateful for any care that may be given 
them. 
A hardy perennial that can never be 
over praised is the grand new plant 
Rudbeckia Golden Glow. This is one of 
the most decorative of oursummer bloom- 
ing plants. It grows to a gieat height 
and nearly all summer is covered with its 
double, golden yellow flowers, very much 
like chrysanthemums. These are borne 
on long, wiry stems, thus making them 
fine for cutting. The plant delights in a 
sunny, open situation, and will absorb a 
great amount of water. — From Vicks 
Magazine. 
