St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-03-28
AeritulturaI.
From the Gcncsce Farm
AMERICAN SHADE TREES.

y !
From the Gcnesce Farmer.
AMERICAN SHADE TREES.
1t is difficult to conceive where can
be found landscapes of more beauty
than are exhibited in the rural dis
tricts of New England, among the
farm houses. Here the traveller may
pursue his winding way for half
days ride, where every knoll and
evergrecnwood opening presents some
new type Of cottage devised ingenui-
ty. At one point the native forest
still lifts its lofty and wide spreading
top, as if all were the work of crca-
tion's dawn now and then projecting
cliffs, with here and there dark ravincs
and sparkling cascades. Around the
bend comes to view the New England
mansion of the last century, with its
sides of shcathing, its rusticatcd cor
ncrs, its massive window caps and
corniccs, and its heavy substantial
balustradcs, which is rendered even
more attractive by its trees, shrub
berry and flowers. The roadside lead
ing each way is lined with transplant
ed forest trees of vigorous growth and
rich foliage. The maple, the elm, the
birch, the ash, the linden, the beach,
and the black walnut alternately ming
ling their pendent branches. In pas
sing along through fertile Glades and
well cultivated hills, slopng in every
direction for miles, every house pre-
scnting some popularity of form or
ornament, the traveller may observe
the most simple kind and the slightly
ornamental farm residence, but none
appearing bleak and dcsolatc for the
want of natures garniture far from
it.. The forest and the nursery have
both contributed of their treasures to
bcautify each chosen spot. BY one
may be seen, in near proximity, the
venerable elm, the noble oak, and the
tall pine by another, the balsam,
larch, and the hemlock by another,
balm of gilcad, with its healthful
odors, and the mountain ash, with its .
enduring scarlet berries by another,
the locust, the linden or the willow.
Such development Of rural beauty
and simplicity is surely an evidence
of highly progressive state of agri-
cultural prosperity.
THE MAPLE.
The naples are Of sturdy growth.
fine form and foliage, making them
desirable as ornamental and shade
trees. They delight in an open san
dy loan, and are generally employed
in forming avenues.
Two Of the American naples not
only flower, but mature their seeds, dur
ing the spring months. These arc the
white maple and the rcd-tlowering ma
pie. The latter is the earliest tree,
whose bloom announces the return Of
spring, the beautiful purple blossoms
unfolding more than two weeks before
the leaves But by far the most in
tcrcsting tree of this description is
the sugar maple, by some called rock
or hard maple 1t is one of the finest
shade trees, assuming when standing
alone a regular and beautiful symctri-
cal form. 1t is valuable both for its
product of sugar and for its wood. y
beautiful street and park tree.
TIE LINDEN.
This tree is better known in this
country by the name of Eastwood. 1t
is rapidly growing, handsome, upright
and regular shaped tree, and much
esteemed for planting in avenues and
. straight lines. When planted singly
on lawn or park, and allowed to de-
velop itself fully on every side, the
linden is one of the most beautiful OF
trees. Its head forms a fine pyramid
of vcrdurc, while its lower branches
sweep the ground and curve upward
in the most pleasing form. The pleas
ant odor of its flowers is an addition
al recommendation, as we'll as its free
growth and handsome leaves. The
i flowers are brown, on long stalks, anC
are pcndulous from the branches. Tho
leaves are large and hcart-shapcd
finely cut on the margin, and tcrmin
atcd by point at the extremity.
As an ornamental tree, the Under
is we'll worth cultivating, as it rank:
in the first class in point of magnitude
,c frequently attaining height of cigh
t, ty or ninety feet, and trunk CORES
ponding in circumference to such a
altitude. They thrive in any soil an
are we'll suited for avenues and lawns
TIE LOCUST.
The robinia. or as it is more con
g monty called the pseud-acacia locus
tree, seems happily adapted to orn;
- mental planting. Whether as a sill
gle tree upon the grass, feathering
the ground, or as q standard in til
SIS, shrubbery, towering above monot'
nous mass of small evergreens, I'll
acacia has great charms for us, an
may justly be styled a graceful tree
and although its loose, light and plea
ing foliage admits the light, and seen
. to harmonize SO delightfully."- with
., lawn or highly cultivated shrubbery
a. yet we should like much to see Il
W., acacia tree planted in the woods,
the fields, roadsides, everywhe
81, 81 where timber is an object of atte
. ton. 1t grows very rapidly in 4
early stages of its progress, SO tn
in few years. from seeds, plants
is. eight to ten feet high may be obtaine
1t has the merit also of encouragll
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