The Osceola times., 1886-07-17
IRE S GROUPS.



Dsment Farms to the Best Advantage.
Many farmers seem to think that they
have ornamented their places by the
use of trees when they have planted q
row of some one kind along the side of
the road in front, and another row near
the fence that divides their land from
that of their nearest neighbor. 1t may
be true that these straight rows of trees
do something toward ornamenting the
place, but il is certain that they do not
beautify il to the extent variety Of
trees planted in groups would. There
is an unnatural appearance about a long
row of trees of the same kind. of near
~ the same size, planted at uniform
distance from each other. Especially
is this the case VIII en- the trees are of
variety that are not found in the groves
and forests in the vicinity. In coun-
try thlckly or sparseIY wooded we never
find trees growing in rows. Observa-
ton shows that we can not find three
stars in an exact lne, and in forest it
is difficult to discover three trees in a
straight line or an equal distance apart.
This variety of species, size, position
and distance is what gives the chief
beauty to a natural forest. The nearer
we approach nature in the selection and
disposition of trees planted for the pur-
pose of ornamcnting a country place
the more pleasing viii be the effect pro-
duced. An avenue in Toronto, Cana
da, is so ornamented by trees that
person riding on il would think the
road was cut through natural forest,
great care having been taken to pre-
served all trees exactly as they stood.
Professional landscape gardeners have
given very beautiful appearance to
many public and private parks by fol-
lowing the copies set by nature in tho
selection and arrangement of trees.
They have studied some beautiful piece
of woodland as painters do, and have
reproduced it as nearly as it was possi-
Bile TO do so on land that was originally
entirely destitute of trees
Groups of trees, scattered about
farm, are much more ornamental than
uniform rows. Ii is much easier to set
them out and to protect them when
they are in clusters than when they are
single tree, and will generally de-
stroy or greatly iniure it unless
a protection is placed around
it. The wind will also have full sweep
against it, and will often blow it over II
it is not made secure in its position by
means of proper supports. Observation
shows that few isolated trees are not
likely to make a vigorous and healthy
growth unless great pains be taken with
them, Especially is this true with
eyergrcens of all kinds. 1t is hard TO
raise an Isolated pine, hemlock or fir
tree. Its sap thickens, its branches be-
come broken by the winds, and its
trunk is injured in various ways.
Evergreens of all kinds. as well as most
deCiduous trees, do best when planted
in groups or clusters. They afford mu-
tual protection. The more hardy ones
afford shade and shelter to those that are
weaker. 1t is much easier and cheaper
to protect given number of trees in a
group than in a long row. In the latter
case there must be posts and stakes TO
which boards or wires are attached for
every tree, while four stakes or posts
ground. on which from six to twelve
trees can be planted. In most cases
the fence will not require renewal, as it
will last till the time the trees are of a
size TO require protection. To furnish
variety, group of trees may OCCASION
ally be planted in circular form, and
a fence of stakes and wire thrown
around to protect them. A consider
able number of trees of various kinds
can be planted to excellent advantage
in each corner of a prairie pasture.
When this is done, new fence win be
required on only two sides of the ground
attached to the trees.
A group Of trees will produce the best
effect and present the finest appearance
from distance if specimens of some
stately variety be planted near the CEN
ter, and those that do not reach a great
height be-arranged near the outside.
Very tall tress, devoid of branches for q
considerable distance above the ground,
do not look well on the outside of a
grove or a small cluster of trees. They
present a good appearance from dis
lance. but one who is near them has TO
~. The common white wax and syca-
more are desirable trees to plant near
The ccRter of group. Around them
may be planted larches, ash, beach,
maple and catalla trees, while near the
edges dogwoods, elders aud sumachs
can be arranged. In arranging groups
of trees for ornament, care should be
taken not to make no two of them alike
in size, form or kinds of trees. Ii is
easy in most parts of the West to pro-
cure oak trees of three varieties. Those
planted near together show well both
by combination and to contrast. Groups
Of non-producing trees of different va
rieties look well from a distance, though
it requires many years to raise the trees
to a large size. a very beautiful
grouping is made of spruce, Eastwood
aud white birch trees. The white birch
shows splendidly among frs and Au-
stralian pines A group Of ornamental
trees surrounded by hedge of arbor-
vitae, priyet or barberry presents a very
fine appearance. But Il is not ncces-
sary 10 obtain expensive trees in order
to ornament farm. and there is no oc-
casion to employ landscape gardener
to direct the planting. Every one sees
groups of trees that nature has planted
as beautiful as those ever arranged by
the most skillful artist. These can
serve as copies for the tree-planter who
lives on farm Chicago Times.