The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-05-18
A Plea for Evergreens.


these matter-of-fact days, especially with
that large class whom we address
from week TO week in these columns, the
farmers of the Northwest Perhaps they
are prone to hold themselves too rigidlv
to the principle of utility in all they do
and undertake. There is certain glory
in that, we know; there is great glory in
making country rich, in developing it's
entire resources and capabilities; that is a
fact. There is a glory in having good
houses and good barns, and good horses
and cattle and sheep and pigs; good furni-
ture and pictures and musical instru-
ments; and, above all, we may glory in a
good education and in the practical adj
vantages it affords us. But after all this
there comes the glory of making our
homes beautiful places. While we have
rich farms and extensive manufactures,
we Want pleasant homes. We may we'll
heed the earnest injunction of the patri-
arch: " Let us have the field and the cave
which is therein, and all the trees that
are in the field, and that are in
the borders round about; and let them
be made sure for a possession unto u.s."
Happily our subject unites the twofold
character of use and beauty, Of fitness and
propriety, as well as refinement and taste;
and while we plead for the planting OF
evergreens as ornaments for the home
steads of our people, we may also urge
their uses as shelters against cold winds
and storms, and as protectors of the more
tender fruits and shrubbery.
But what are we about, excusing our
selves for urging the use Of evergreens as
ornaments? U, this cannot be necessary.
Is there not enough of the love of home
in the hearts Of the people, not enough Of
taste, of culture and of the spirit of con-
sideration akin to that which filled the
soul of Solomon when he undertook to
establish on earth sacred place where
the Lord might meet with his chosen peo-
pie! Who wants his home bare, naked
and dreary as Sahara" u place wherein
only to eat, sleep and crawl when it rains?
There are few places in every town,
handsome naturally, but totally neglected
by their owners, where shade tree is not
to be seen. We cannot believe that such
persons are wholly insensible to the
charms Of fine landscape; that they see
no beauty in the grand trees of our forests
They are simply all given up to making
money. We are glad that they are not
the representative men of the country; on
the contrary, it is a great pleasure to note
the growing interest all over the North
west in planting trees. The Centennial
tree-planting" has added a new interest,
and aroused a goodly number of the old
dormants whom nothing could bring to
their senses but an earthquake or a cen
tennial epoch. Once in hundred years
they move, but that is better than an
eternity of unbrOken slumber. We have
got the spirit of planting trees awakened
and now let us 60 on. We have planted
thousands of deciduous forest trees, now
let US put hand to the evergreens. What
shall we plant?
Hemlock, Norway spruce, pine, balsam
fir and arbor vitae, these are preferable in
the order named for general planting. If
one wishes to give distinct character to
place or to. add to natural features he
will change this order perhaps.
Many are deferred from planting ever
greens because they think it is hard to
make them live; but this is a mistaken
notion altogether. They are as easily
transplanted as any forest tree, if properly
handled. If tree is just stuck into the
ground as you would stick q fence-post
into an auger hole, its fate is pretty sure.
A great many trees are planted in that
way, and great many hopes are laid low
in consequence. 1t speaks we'll for the
trees that they do give up the ghost and
leave the realms of such dolts as would
put them into the ground in such an
ignorant manner. 1t is a good principle
to show contempt for such kinds of
planting. as
An evergreen tree must have roots, they
are not worth trying to save if they have
not good roots; and when ordering from
any nursery this should be impressed on
the mind of the nurseryman. Then it is
indispensable to success that the roots be
kept moist from the very instant they are
taken out of the ground till they are
planted. They must not Get dry for a
moment, nor be exposed to sun and wind.
If these rules are attended to, not one in a
hundred will be lost. A rainy day is the
best time to move evergreens from the
forest; and when taken from q nursery
the roots must be instantly immersed in a
puddle Of clay and water, which may be
soaked loose when transplanted.
After evergreens are planted the ground
must be kept wet and cool by mulching
with chip-dirt, or some such substance
The best time to transplant evergreens
is just after the buds have begun to swell,
and are ready to burst the leaves and
until the trees have made an inch or so
of new growth. This period varies from
the first of May to the middle, and on
into June, Large trees are successfully