The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-12-08
REAuTEul TREES.
Suggestions ON Raising Fruit and Orns
mental Trees of Large Size.

Suggestions on Raising Fruit and Orns-
mental Trees of Large Size.
Trees OF extraordinary size can be
raised on almost any farm by taking
sufficient pains in preparing the ground
where they are to stand, and preparing
IL with suitable fertilizers. A few
trees of very large size will add much
to the value OF place, and be sources
OF great pleasure. The largest trees in
most parts of the country are found in
places where the washings of high
lands are conveyed to them. They are
often at the foot of hills or near the
banks of rivers and large streams.
Sometimes they are on what is called
"made land" that is, soil that has
| been washed down from an elevation.
Such soil is loose and rich. The roots
OF tree can extend into 1t for a long
distance without meeting any obstruc-
tions. They will find in 1t a large
amount of material for the formation
of wood. Every year fertilizing mate
rial will be brought down from the
high land in the vicinity to take the
place of that which has gone to support
the growing tree.
Very large trees are seldom found on
poor and rocky land or in places ex-
posed to high winds. In these locations
there is little plant food and no ad-
ditions are made to it except those that
come from the disintegration OF rocks
and hard clay. Roots push out with
difficulty through the compact subsoil
and are turned out of their course by
rocks. If the trees belong to the class
whose roots do not extend deep into
the ground they are likely to be blown
down and they always suffer for want
of moisture during season of protract.
ed drought.
If their roots are firmly fixed in the
ground their trunks may stand, but
their branches may be broken off.
Sometimes very large pines, oaks, hick-
ories and red cedars are found on high
and rocky places, "where there was
not much earth" But they are al
ways very old trees. Their growth has
extended through centuries. The old
est inhabitant of the regions has not
noticed that they have increased in
height or circumference since he first
saw them. The youngest inhabitant is
reminded that the trees he sets on such
land will be small when he is an old
man.
Sycamore, elm, cottonwood and but
ternut trees "planted by the water
side" may attain a very large size dur
ing the life of the planter. They are
trees that make a very rapid growth
when they stand in suitable soil that is
well supplied with moisture. 1t is
comparatively easy "to make a place"
somewhere on farm for raising trees
of very large size. An unsightly hol-
low, natural or artificial, can be filled
up with well-rotted manure, bones,
ashes, forest leaves, and fine, rich
earth and the tree planted on them,
great pains being taken in its selection
and transplanting. A mulch of coarse
manure will help retain moisture and
prevent the surface of the ground from
being occupied by grass and weeds.
This mulch will gradually decay and
by so doing will supply food for the
growing tree. When it has decayed
another coating of coarse manure can
be applied. The tree will grow in pro-
portion TO the amount of food furnished
it. A cavity can be made in any suita-
BILE spot where a very large tree is
desired and filed in the manner de-
scribed. In this part of the country
the largest growth will be likely to be
attained by elm, cottonwood, and sill.
ver-leaf poplar trees.
In France pear trees of enormous
size have been raised by taking great
pains in preparing the places in which
they are planted. In some instances
large excavations have been made in
poor soil and the space filled with rich
earth. Similar pains were taken in
preparing ground for apple trees in
some of the New England States.
The result was trees of remarkable
size and productiveness. The time of
several men and a team was required
to prepare place for single tree, but
it amply repaid for all this labor. 1t
became source of revenue, a ''thing
of beauty and joy" for many years if
not forever. BY taking the same
course in preparing ground very large
and productive grape vines can be
raised. When they come into bear
ing they will be sources of pleas
ure and profit. The size of orna-
mental vines can be increased in the
same way. By giving chance for
the roots to extend and supplying
suitable food Virginia creepers can be
raised that will cover the entire side
of large building and give it very
beautiful appearance.--Ch Chicago Times.
Fowls in Large Numbers.