Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-06-21
For the Green Mountain Freeman.
WHITE TREES.

In many parts of the village of Montpelier
notice that both fruit and shade trees have
been smearcd with whitewash. Now want to
protest against this, in the name both of common
sense and of good taste. do not doubt that
when trees are infected with insects, it may be
less evil to apply coating of lime for little
distance from the ground than to allow these
mauraders to puncturc their bark and leaves.
To old trees, the removal Of the exterior dead
bark, and the application at the same time of a
suitable wash, arc doubtless beneficial !; but
whether this should be solution of lime, or of
any substance which becomes solid after appli-
cation, is greatly 10 be doubted. If trees be-
come bark-bound, too, some such treatment,
together with the use of the knife, is far from
useless But to treat healthy treea in this way
is simply barbarous. Let us reason about it
What specific effect is the lime going to have
upon either the bark or the wood of the tree
Most certainly the tree does not obtain the nu-
triment it derives from the atmosphere through
the bark, but through the leaves. When trees
are boxed for the sake of protection, every one
knows that the boxes should be thoroughly ven
tilated-that both air and light ought to have
free access to every part of the plant-that to
exclude these has nearly the same, effect upon
che tree that IL has urons tho assEAsi. This
coating of lime, supposing it to have been thor
oughly applied, and not soon removed by some
kindly shower, rapidly absorbs carbonic acid
from the air, and is changed back to the original
carbonate of lime, or limestone. Now no one
can imagine it beneficial to encase tree in solid
rock, however thin that casing may bc--to close
up with stone the countless breathing holes
about the stock-to shut off the influence of the
warm rains from the bark.
Another consideration is the great change of
color. l do uot believe that man can improve
upon nature in the coloring of the stock of the
tree, any more than in that of the leaf or the
flower. The dull color of the bark must be ex-
actly fitted to absorb precisely the proper amount
of light and heat for the growth of the tree. If
it were black, il would absorb too much of both
if white too little. The rays of both light and
heat will be reflected, instead of taken up by it,
and the tree will be in the condition of the ami
NAL shut up in cold and partial darkness. The
necessity of light to both animal and vegetable
life, every one knows rs general rule; but its
absolute necessity in order to the chem ical
changes constantly going on in the vegetable or
ganism, may not be so generally understood.
Had each individual of the vegetable world
needed casing Of limestone or iron it ,couM be
there, and would keep off sun, air and moisture
more effectually than whtewash. Those unsat-
isfed with natures mode of feeding and train
ing the plant or the animal, ought to get them
world Of their own in which they can try thei r
experiments They may be assured that, if they
, were to carry them thoroughly into effect, both
nlapts and animals would soon cease to exist.
. All experience says, let well enough alone. You
cannot hope to introduce any very valuable i'm
: provement into any of the complicated opera
IS tions of nature. They are too nicely adjusted
o to admit of your bungling idsesheddling.-
d I" God never made his work for man to mend"
0 But it may be said that trees grow finely un-
der this trea,mcnt-Experience has fully proved
k the benefit of it, | would ask, How do you
c know that the lime is the cause of their vigor-
ous growth Would it not be as wise to attrib-
d te it to the suitabeness of the soil, the supply
+ of proper fertilizers or to favorable seasons
is We cannot draw conclusions upon such matters
d with TOO much care One experiment. in such
cases cannot establish principle, nor can fifty
ID if conducted in the ordinary way. l would
y as soon say that they aourished in spite of the
rs lime--because but portion Of the tree was Gov
Or cred by it--and that portion but imperfectly
covered and 50 the genial influences of sun and
rs rain had their proper effect, though diminished
l. indeed by the supposed helps. If insects are tc
10 be warded of, there are other simple, and a
Or least equally electual, means If alkalies, thu
applied, could be proved to be beneficial, there
are Others, quicker iu their action--as easay t,
a. be obtained and applied, and not petrifying i'm
II mediately after use-and, above all, not causing
1t the tree to present such an uusightly appear
VI ance. And this suggests the great reason why
IS in place like this, where trees are cultivate,
for shade and ornament, rather than for timbe
10 or fruit, they should be allowed to grow as ma
a. ture intended What hideous sight whit
IN forest would be! Tue white boles would ris
IN like specters from the ground, and the branche
rs would be ghostly arms raised frantically to til