THE national NTTtlSERTMAN 
439 
WHAT A NURSERYMAN SEES IN HIS TRAVELS 
The visitor to Washington, D, C., cannot help but he 
impressed by the good judgment which has been shown 
in the selection of trees used in planting the streets and 
avenues of the National Capitol. 
They form an object lesson to nurserymen and those 
interested. Of course there are streets where trees are 
no better than the average seen in other citic^s, but those 
in the newer sections, (mainly the suburbs) arc well 
spaced, have been properly planted and cared for and are 
now beginning to show the value of proper selection, 
management and control. 
The Pin Oak, Quercus paliistris, especially shows up 
well. There is something about this tree as seen on the 
avenues and streets in Washington, that is exquisitely 
beautiful. May be it is the combination of qualities. 
The shapely iiyramidal form blends with the lines of ar¬ 
chitecture of the buildings. The branching habit and 
foliage give plenty of shade, yet allow free circulation of 
light and air. The color is good, especially during the 
fall when the autumn tints make the country side so 
beautiful. 
In some sections the American Linden, Tilia Ameri- 
cana, has been used. What a contrast with the Pin Oak! 
when the writer saw them in early October. Their 
leaves were falling fast, a dull dirty brown, making 
everything look forlorn and untidy, while the Pin Oaks 
were just at their prime. It would have been Interesting 
to have seen the Crimean Linden, Tilia dasystila, under 
the same conditions. Undoubtedly it would have made a 
better showing. Or even the European Linden, Tilia 
Europeaus. 
Another tree that stood out showing exceptional excel¬ 
lence is the Ginkgo, Salisburia adiantifolia. These have 
been planted very freely and in time will be a feature 
which will add a distinctiveness to Washington. The type 
seems to be generally pyramidal rather than spreading. 
The rich, olive green of this tree is much emphasized 
when all others are taking on their fall colors, as it 
does not turn yellow until very late and then sheds its 
leaves all at once. 
The Elms of different species did not look particularly 
attractive, like the Lindens they were shedding their 
leaves of an unattractive brown color. 
Sugar and Norway Maples looked well but one sees 
so many it is only a very fine row that will attract the 
eye and even then they are not quite in the same class as 
a good avenue of Scarlet Oaks, Quercus coccinea, or Red 
Oak, Quercus ruhra. i- 
After all in planting trees it is often a (luestion ol 
time and money. 
Silver Maple, Norway Maple, American Elm, Ameri¬ 
can Linden, Carolina Poplar, are grown quicker and 
cheaper than Scarlet, Pin and Red Oaks, Sugar Maples, 
Ginkgos, but unquestionably the latter are worth waiting 
for and going to a little more trouble and expense to get 
them established. 
It is true that every city is not the seat of the national 
Government, nor laid out with so much consideration for 
the beautiful, but we can all do our best, and in the long 
run it will make quite a difference if the nurseryman 
will grow and push the sale of the high quality tree ad¬ 
apted to his particular neighborhood. 
Great expectations are not always realized and nur¬ 
serymen, who form ideas of what they expect to see in 
Washington in the way of horticultural ornamentation 
at the Rotanic Gardens and around the capitol buildings, 
are sure to be disappointed. 
Here is to be s(‘en the best the nation jiroduces in ar¬ 
chitectural art and builders skill, and the (ivident lavish 
expenditure of money worthy of the capitol of a great na¬ 
tion. 
We can all take our hats off to the man or men who 
laid out the city with its wide avenues, paiks and mag¬ 
nificent proportions, but what a sense of disappointment 
to the true plantsman to lind so little insiiiration at the 
home of our Department of Agrieulture. 
Instead he sees a display of ignorance or at least 
amateurish effort which is so far behind the arts, that it 
is supposed to supplement, that he feels ashamed. 
Undoubtedly there are efficient men in the Department 
of Agriculture but the man in power with a vision is ab¬ 
sent, or at least has not made his imprint on the grounds. 
The man with power and a vision, and the wherewithal 
to carry it out is needed. 
If the first is available surely the second should be. 
Ruildings costing millions in settings of the crudest 
workmanship. Not that the landscape design is not 
worthy. Of that there are better judges than I, but the 
furnishings of the landscape designs are not a credit to 
headquarters of our profession. 
Trees that are crifiples without a future, shrubs 
butebered beyond recovery to their characteristic habit, 
evergreens showing indifference to their reiiuirements 
and all surrounded by the most lavish expenditure in the 
way of improvements. Surely we should expect more 
from the division of our government that is teaching the 
nation. 
Perhaps the old saying of the cobbler and his children 
applies or may be the implication that theoretical men are 
not practical. 
Springfield, N. J., November 23, 1914. 
Editor “National Nurseryman”:— 
In reply to the article “Our Plain Duty,” of the Novem¬ 
ber issue would like to say that we heartily endorse the 
sentiments expressed in it. In our business we have con¬ 
tinued our annual inqirovements; hired our usual fall la¬ 
bor force; and made our regular fall purchases. In addi¬ 
tion to this our planting list is nearly half as large again 
as last year. 
We anticijiate good business for spring, and trust we 
shall not be disapi)oinlcd. The number of small orders 
ilhis fall has been less than jirevious years, but we have 
had a number of “Rig Ones,” that have taken care of this 
deficiency. Wishing all a good spring business and a 
happy New Year we remain. 
Yours truly, 
F. & F. Nuuseiues, 
Per Wm. Flemer, Jr. 
