The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-05-27

We have said considerable in the Press this
spring to encourage amongs. the farmers and
landholders of Maine the care and culture OF
our forests. In the present article we wish to
call attention to street trees. These are useful
not only for ornament but for refreshing shade
and to give healthful character to the atmos-
phere The leaves of a tree, which are its
lungs. inhale, SO to speak, the foul air which is
near them, and consequently keep it sweet
and pure. Every body knows that the atmos-
phere of a forest is more grateful and healthy
than that of city or village. 1t is compare
lively so in cities whose streets are well lined
with shade trees. To say nothing of the beau
ty of "a branching tree, or of the music of birds
which occupy them; dwelers in q house which
is surrounded by cleanly trees will breathe
freer air and enjoy better. health than one
that livesin brick walls unshaded from burn
ing sun. s. sti III L.A4to 1lAG H4 r..
Portland is called the Forest City, from
its numerous shade trees These have given it
a wide reputation for beauty. We hope meas
ures have been taken this spring to plant two
new ones for every old one that'was destroyed
by the great fire of last year. A few years
will give them respectable growth. All our
cities and villages, indeed, should be embosom-
ed in trees. e I H7fd 'f i7gi.
) The following on the proper care of shade
trees we find in an old number of the "Coun-
try Gentleman" The suggestions in it are
worthy of attentions: 0a.4uG5si1H adt -..
There is nothing that relieves the dullness of
a formal row OF houses, SO well as a line of fine
green, luAuriant shade trees; and nothing
gives more beautiful and refreshing appear.
ance to any town or village, than the slnp,e
and cheap adornment OF foliage. Those cities
in our country, which are famed for their beau
ty. owe more than nine-tenths OF this beauty
to their elms, naples, and other shade trees
Remove all hese nom such city as New
Haven, for example, and it would become bald
meagre, and spiritless. fs.i.....
A great many street trees are planted, which
perish by midsummer. There is special
cause for this, besides the ordinary causes OF
bad transplanting and the want oil cultivation
and mulching, 50 common to all newly-moyed
trees. This cause Is the rubbing of cattle and
occasionally their assaults by browsing Cat
tie should never run in the streets, as thew do
much more damage than the value of their
pasture; but there we find them, and we must
guard our trees accordingly. There is not
probably one tree in twenty tnat will survive
The effects OF constant rubbing, even if such
trees have been set out in the best manner SO
we'll as to te certain OF all living if no cattle APP
preached them. .''e-47s.h Ath3 I" a-nai -
Those, therefore, who have set out street trees
the present. year, who have done the work well,
have witnessed the good progress SO far, and
WHO Halter themselves that they will endure
The infections of cattle without any protection
about them, should at once, discard the err
roneous notion, and provide Immediately a
structure to shield them After trying several
modes, we find none equal to that well known
to some of our readers, and which consists,
hrst, OF two stout pieces of board, about five
inches wide, and eight or nine feet long which
are inserted with the lower ends a foot and a
half into the earth and nearly upright or a lit
tie inclined towards the Tree ON each side
These are connected by four cross-boards nail
ed on horizontally, and the intermediate space
has strips OF common lath nailed on at inter
walls OF thu ee or fonr inches. These strips par
allel with each other, but not quite horizontal;
and being placed at opposite inclinations on
the opposite sides Of the structure, give neat
lattice-hke appearance. The long upright
pieces will be strong enough if of stout fence
boards; but would be more secure if inch-and-
a-half plank. They are most easily set before
the hole is filled; but may be easily inserted af
terwards by partially hewing them sharp, and
driving them into crowbar holes. If there is
any danger from sheep, the lath may be nailed
on the whole space, SO as to enclose the tree
from the bottom. .e.f sara- ~. 5..
Street trees cannot be easily cultivated, and
must therefore be carefully, widely and Copi-
ously mulched. The soil Is liable to become
:,
grass and weeds. Either will he very detri-
mental to the success and growth of the tree
A good mulching will keep the grass and
weeds down, and prevent the surface from be-
coming dry and hard. As usually performed,
little eonieal pile is placed around the foot OF
the trunk, and does not cover twentieth part
of the surface required. 1t is true, the roots
may have heen cut very short in digging up
the tree, so that q hole two feet in diameter
will receive them all; but it must be remem-
bered that if the trees grow as they should, the
roots will soon extend two feet more on each
side, making the circle sir feet-add to this,
that weeds and grass generally have roots at
least two feet long, ,chich run in toacdrds the
! tree, it viii be perceived that the mulched
ring to have its full effect, should not be less
than about ten feet IN diameter, before the
close of the first seasons growth. 1t is usual.
ly made but a foot or two, the young roots
shooting out far beyond its outer border, and
the muching is therefore about as useful as il
would be to pour pail of water on the tail OF
| thirsty horse in order to give him drink.