Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-04-28
Shade Trees.

forms Of all kinds, and new departures in the
way Of improvement and reformation. The
press is full of exhortation. If 1.-THE of
the gratuitous advice which is in circulation
bears fruit, this will be better world to
live in hereafter Nothing is more popular
than to advise everybody to plant shade
trees. At the West, where the need of trees
is sadly felt there is an organized effort to
supply on large scale the natural want un.
der which they suffer- At the East few
individuals and associations like Banner
Grange of Pomfret, have taken the matter
in hand, and are doing a good work. The
rest is all talk
1t will be observed that the writers upon
the subject, with scarcely an exception, advise
the planting of lines Of trees each side of the
highway, the maple being recommended
more than auy other. And the beauty aud
comfort of such trees, affording close and
continuous shade in hot weather, are set
forth in glowing terms
The planting of shade trees, about the
buildings, by the road sides and in pastures
is to be commended. Not word should be
said to discourage it or to prevent farmers
from arousing from the apathy which pre-
walls. In planting trees about the dwelling
it is of vital Importance that the light of
the sun should not be excluded. Better not
have tree than that. The bald appearance
Of treeless hill is preferable, on the ground
Of health. The trees should be so grouped
that the sun may take good long look into
various windows at some hour Of tho day.
No trees should stand in very close proxim-
ity to the house and very few within thirty
feet. A variety is exceedingly desirable,
and is more attractive than a grove all
naples, fne as they are. The majestic elm
with its graceful, swaying branches, the red
oak, emblem of strength, with its rich dark
green foliage, the beech, the birch, $50 neces-
sary to every well regulated young family
aud the poplar or American linden, and many
others, together with variety of evorgreens,
may all find place where land is so plentyful
as with farmers.
Trees should be planted in groups or
singly, instead of straight rows. We
would not advise to go to the extreme in.
dulgcd by farmer IN Springfield, who to
avoid putting nature into corsets and to
have his orchard look easy and natural
planted his rows of apple trees so crooked
that he could not drive his team through.
Men will, in building city, follow the COW
paths with their streets and build them 80
narrow that millions Of dollars worth of
property must be sacrificed, ultimately to
widen and straighten them, but if they plant
few shade trees for ornament, will set them
in rows so straight and stiff that it is a won.
der that they feel at liberty to grow.
A close row Of low branching naples on
each side Of a road the soil Of which is clay OF
retentive of water, will give a muddy road
a light shower every day or two, or a good
rain once a week, will keep such a road in a
continuous and exasperating condition o.
muddiness. Such road should have tree,
so scattered that the sun may shine in anC
J dry up the mud or they should be il
, groups; or if they must be in rows let then
} alternate from one side to the other once in
say ten or twenty rods. On a very lgh t
porous soil the exclusion of the direct ray
of the sun from the road bed is not so OBJ
5 jectionable, but is not by any means advisa
bic. One tree well planted is worth dozel
stuck into holes in the ground.
; A story is told of farmer who man!
) years ago, going away to be absent day o
or two set his English laborer to transplant
, ing apple trees. On his return he was sur
4 prised to learn that Johnny had finished onl
! three. lie made a large excavation an
= filled it with chip manure old bits of bon
! leather and rubbish, a little manure an
5 topped with good soil. The tree being Sc
j in with great care and the fine mold site
0 in among the roots. That way of doin
), business did not suit. The next day th
] farmer lent hand and they put in fifty {
soventy.fve. Soventy.fve years after, ii
# three first planted were of gigantic size an
}, vigor, bearing bountiiulIy, while not even
i stump of the rest was left to mark the plac,
i where they died Now this may be fabl
n but it is a fair illustration Of the truth tht
a underlies the principle of transplantng tree
'e Go plant trees. Do it thoroughly at
intelligently, and you will have your rewar
For the VERMONT FARMER