neighbor just reaching its twenties. 
Both are growing in an open area on 
heavy clay soil that is inclined to 
waterlog. 
Looking at these trees, they would 
seem somewhat alike, but not when you 
compare their development by counting 
the growth rings. By means of a spe- 
cial probe, small cores were taken 
from the trunks. These indicated that 
in eatly development the two trees 
grew at about the same rate. But, as 
shown by the borings reproduced 
below, it is evident that in 1940 the 
younger tree began to grow at twice 
the rate of the older one. 
How come? Well it happened that 
home building took place in this 
section and a well cared for lawn was 
established under the younger elm in the 
fall of 1939. Because the owner liked 
the out-of-doors, this lawn was main- 
tained at a high level of fertility. The 
ground under the tree received four 
feedings a year with TURF BUILDER. 
Obviously the tree has benefited 
greatly from the surface applications 
of lawn food as well as the grass. Thus 
the extra lawn feedings that cost less 
than a dime per 100 square feet is 
paying off many times over in the 
development of the tree that couldn’t 
be replaced for hundreds of dollars. 
Changed Advice — From this and 
other observations, it is now certain 
that the previously suggested method of 
feeding trees by drilling or punching 
holes into the ground is more laborious 
than necessary. This spoils the appear- 
ance of the lawn at the time and may 
mar its beauty the next year. The con- 
centrated feeding in isolated spots is 
apt to mark the lawn with patches of 
grass of irregular growth. 
Soil Improved — A_ comprehensive 
analysis of soil taken from under the 
two trees indicates that where the 
regular lawn feeding had been in 
practice, the amount of nitrogen and 
organic matter in the soil was apprect- 
ably better. This would seem to indi- 
cate that the 50% greater tree growth 
was not at the expense of the soil or 
turf, but was a bonus — an extra from 
the lawn feeding. 
So if you want your trees to grow 
more vigorously, apply TURF BUILDER 
to the lawn more often. The total avail- 
able nutrients will provide nourishment 
for the tree roots as well as the grass 
roots. Extra heavy single feeding is 
not the answer. Instead the frequency 
should be stepped up from once or 
twice to three or four times annually. 
So when you're feeding old Rover, 
Junior's goldfish or planning to refuel 
yourself, remember your lawn has a 
tree-friend outside who is looking for 
a handout... . time to get out the 
Spreader. 
: : . 
Magnified view of growth rings 
