The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-05-02
Tree Planting.
COUNTRY HOME, ONO Co., w. Va, /
2 s." sf4 T" April %, 1875. !

COUNTRY HoME, OHIO Co., w. VA, /
'a,a sf4 % April 20, 1875.
Editor Of the Register: = sf.'
Having read your remarks of the 24tt
inst, entitled centennial Trees" I an
induced to send this communication, and
inform you and the many readers of your
paper, that especial pains have been Ia.
ken at my country home to memorabilia
this Centennial season in the manner to
which you refer. I ia. .r -dg
The profusion of eyers reeRs and cult
waited varieties of shade and other beau
tifying trees with which my grounds
have been heretofore adorned, led to the
selection, at this particular juncLure, of a
forest specimen, and an American Elm,
Ulm Amerieana), was therefore chosen,
thinking that in Its present size and flu
ture growth there might be symbolical
reference, and that its cspsbility of en-
during tor centuries might express my
fervent wish for the long lived proeperi-
ty and glory of my adopted country.
And as the colonies whence we as
nation sprang, were Is, and neither Of
them, pigmJ, dwarf or withered speci
men, so on the 18th of this month, ten
men transferred the comparative giant,
from its wild and lowly place among its
fellows, to be peer among the foreign
and domesticated varieties of trees and
shrubs which crown and skirt the home
intended mound.
Even as our revolutionary fathers
stood, SO it stands; strong in resistance.
ready to shelter, and in its first indepen-
dent existence casting no mean shade,
succor and protection amid the like
claims of its cotempararies.
This tree is what 1 consider beauti-
full one, slightly weeping in character,
branching regularly and with an upward
inclination, in size about as follows:
circumference at base. IL
Distance rom ground to first branch. lilo
Dis tance from ground TO top Of tree ...... $50
Diameter Of hole In which 1t was
Depth Of hole in which it was planted SO
The earth was removed from the place
selected for the tree, and the hole was
retilled with good garden soil at the time
Of planting.
Ten men and span of horses were
engaged III the transfer, and our labors
and remarks to one another during the
taking up, transfer and planting made
for US a moderate feast, if not a modest
celebration.
No booming cannon, martial music or
set speeches attended our ceremonies,
yet the joyous shouts and hearty remarks
of the men when they saw the tree SAFELY
and firmly set in its new home; the sat
isiaction OF the soul, or music in the
heart which thrilled each one when the
work was completed, will fully harmot-
ize with these Almost innumerable stralr
which 90 heavenward from ali parts of
our beloved land throughout this jubiant
year.
AS the tone of your article is IN accord
with the sentiments expressed by many
of your editorial brethren, and as the adj
vice therein given will bear repetition,
il not many rehersals, trust you may
induce every man, woman and child
In our county and State to
plant, or have planted, something
Of which none need be ashamed.
Then, If death or misfortune deprives the
planter from an enjoyment OF the bene-
fits which naturally accrue; the heir, the
sympathetic friend, or even the enjoying
stranger may bless and revere the MEM
DRY of the one whose hand has provided
the shade or beauty which is not only
admired but highly priced.
Yours, truly,
THOMAS HoRNBRo.K.