Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-01-19
EvERGREENs ron PROJECTION.

Many landowners, who have more distinct
appreciation of dollars and cents than Of the
beauties of nature, cannot see the propriety
of occupying ground and labor in setting out
ornamental trees. To SUCH as well as to all
others, we wish to urge the importance of
planting evergreen trees as a shelter agains
the cold winds of winter. We once knew a
country resident who hanked his house on the
sides of prevailing winds with groups and
Eaasses OF evergreens from the neighborng
forests and borders of sEamps-and drew
upon himself pretty freely the jeers Of his
neighbors, for setting out trees that 'bore
nothing to eat, and were only good to look
at" In the course of years, however, when
these trees had attained heighth Of some
twenty feet, and had afforded ample shelter
from the winds that swept across the bleak
mill occupied by his dwelling, the neighbors
discovered that the place had become decided
ly more comfortable in cold weather also
that many dollars in frewood were annually
saved by the beautiful and efficient protection
afforded. They began to see new charms in
ornamental trees, and were disposed to adopt
what they had once ridculed
Screens placed along straight boundaries
mal be in right lines, like hedges; but shelter
in immediate proximity Of dwellings appears
better ifin scattered trees, groups and irreg-
ular belts. The straight seams may be made
by setting the trees three or four feet apart,
or at greater distance-say eight or tenfeet.
In the lorner case, the screen viii soonest
become dense barrier against the winds, but
win not be SO tall and stout ultimately. One
of the best trees for this purpose is the Nor
way spruce-which, if planted three feet apart
will form good and close shelter in FIVE or
six years, if well cultivated eight or ten feet
high, while the tops of the trees will extend
some feet higher. If not cultivated, but al
lowed to grow up with grass or in hard ground,
ten or twelve years viii be required to attain
the same dimensions. If the trees are placed
six feet apart, they viii in time make an ex-
eellent screen, and cost less at the start.
Many enormously suppose that if they set
out large trees they win obtain given height
the soonest, "a very mistaken opinion) for
large trees receive the greatest check by re-
moyal, and they induce the planter to believe
that he need not give good cultivation to his
plantation. Smaller trees well cultivated will
soon outstrip them, and present at the same
time more handsome and thriving appear
ance. A height.of two or three feet will, in
most instances, prove most profitable. At
the present time-in the depth Of winter
evergreens may often be removed from the
borders of woods and swamps if the earth is
but slightly frozen. The protection which
the trees as well as the coating Of fallen leaves
afford, often nearly prevent the mould which
covers the soil from freezing, especially If
snow has fallen before intensely cold weather
sets in. In such localities, select small trees,
only few feet high; cut circle with spade
about the roots, so as to lift up cake or ball
of soil; place the trees in their natural posi-
ton on a sled, and draw them to the place
where they are to be planted
Trees from the nursery row cannot be re-
moved in winter without great labor, at the
same time that the work may be more readi-
" done in the spring, as they require the re-
moVal of less earth on the roots-they scarce
ly ever fail if the roots are Immediately i'm
mediately immersed in mud as soon as they
are taken up, and before the moisture on the
surface Of the roots has become dry.