Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-31
OUR SHADE TREES.
How 10 II Proposed TO Protect then
from the Kavagcs of Insects

How 10 II Proposed 10 Protect them
from the Havaxcs OF Insects.
A NEW JERSEY PLAN THAT WILL NOT sa ADOPTED
PARIS GREEN RFYncTIvR But OBJECTIONABLE
ADVANTAGES or wHrEwAsn-NEw TREES 10 BE
INTRODUCED.
STAR reporter visited Mr.. Saunders, OF the
Agricultural Department one Of the parking CON-
mission OF the DISTRICT and showed him an article
nom the Orange On. J.) Chronicle, stating that
throughout that section Of country men may be
seen boring holes in the trunks OF trees. 1t then
explains that this work is being done TO protect
the Trees nom the ravages OF insects in pursuance
feed upon the foliage. The plan being followed
was TO bore onefnch holes in the body or the tree
eight or ten inches from the ground, nve or six
inches In depth; fill with powdered sulphur,
leaving only room enough for q plug one
sulphur from falling or washing out The rising
sap II was claimed would carry the sulphur with IL
IN II, such quantities as would guard any tree from
IN the least, and In thrifty tree one season is
enough TO close the holes, for new bark will grow
o.er tnem Inc remedy, 1t was said, Is just as
euectlve with fruit trees as with shade trees.
Mr. SAUNDERS VIEWS
After glancing at the article Mr.. saunders, with
q contemptuous ''humph,' said: "Well whatever
we may decide TO do for our trees it viii be nothing
you might as well bore holes in the foundation OF
tnat building and Ill them with sulphur TO pro-
tect the trees out there In the grounds II a tree
served that way should be cut down years hence,
the sulphur would be found just where it was
originally placed. 1t would not dissolve, nor would
it De taken up by the tree. 1t is from the roots
that trees take up sustenance, not from the
trunk, and TO place sulphur about the roots would
90 no possible good and might do HARM"
what plan win you adopt to protect the trees
nom fnsects?" asked THE STAR reporter
"To GET RID OF THE CATERPnLARs
we shall probably cut of the part affected. We
may use Paris green, though / don't much like to
40 It. Paris green, however. effectually destroys
the caterpillars. ] had it tested. We made a So
luton and sprayed it over the trees but the very
idea OF spr1nkling poison about in that way is OBJ
Jectionable. AS watched the proceeding some OF
the spray would fall back into my face. and chill
dren passing along would look up and get some OF
IL II Old no harm, so far as l know, but unless
destroy scale insects, lice &C., by the use OF CON-
mon whitewaSh. Several years ago the trees on
Sd street were full of these scale insects ordered
the tops taken of and whitewash applied literally
That was done, and now there are no prettier rows
CT trees in the city. whitewash also keeps horses
from biting the trees. Some time ago we were
criticised for sn alleged endeavor to XIII caterpl-
lars with whitewaSh. We were simply preparing
10 protect the trees from the teeth or horses
WIRE SCREENS.
Have You noticed any OF the wire screens on the
trees? I tell they are much better in every way
than the old wooden boxes. The latter furnished
harbor for the insects In those that we re-
moved we killed thousands Of caterpillars. The
eggs were deposited around the bottom of the
WOODWORK. We have now 5000 trees protected
with these wire screens, but cannot get any more
until another appropriation is made. We hope to
extend the use OF them through the city, as they
not only improve the appearance OF the trees but
are superior In other respects to the old wooden
"Win you introduce any new variety Of trees
soon?" Quered the reporter
mo; not specially. There are no better trees
than we have. It is our intention to plant a line
frsaryn ID II and 81
win make beautiful row. The impression that
the oak Is slow growing in not correct. planted
and Is aSoas the ana
naples"
"Do the English sparrows protect the trees from
fnsectS?'
."No," replied Mr.. Saunders with marked en-
phas1S.
SUPERINTENDENT SMITH,
OF the Botanical Garden, another member of the
parking commission, when questioned by The
STAR reporter said that he and Mr. Saunders nvari-
ably agreed as to the method OF handling trees.
MIR. smith, however, differed with Mr.. Saunders as
to the value OF the English sparrow. He thinks
that during winter months, when the sparrow
cannot get better food that it destroys the insect
Larvae. Mr. Smith was disposed TO ridicule sug-
ache bushes, as he termed them, be planted in
the city for trees. "Why." he remarked, they
don't grow above 10 feet high. They might do for
sign Tor dentist shop but not for shade puT-
poses. The yew tree, he said, had also been recon-
mended, atree that does not grow higher than
twelve or fifteen feet. He said that some of this
variety in England that have stood for over a
thousand years are not above twelve feet In height.
Mr.. Smith spoke OF these trees TO show the absurd
character OF advice that is often given about the
trees by people who, as he said, 'know nothing at
all about trees"
He added that the commission has a new variety
OF shade tree, which will be planted this spring.
It comes from Turkistan, and is variety OF poplar
known as the "populu5 Doleana." Rows OF them
are to be planted on Portner street, a new street
named for the brewer AS the street is not wide
as many others here Mr.. Smith thinks the new
tree, which has white leaves Will make beautiful
show.