The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-09-07
AVENUES OF WASHINGTON.
Tree Planting In the Capital Methods
ana Grand Result

Tree Planting In the Capital Methods
ana Grand Result
The trees first planted were procured
from the nurseries, but it was soon found
that on account of the immense number
required. and the difficulty of getting the
kinds desired, 1t was necessary to raise the
most OF the trees; SO that nursery was
begun, and the greater number of the
trees now shading the streets of Washing
ton were grown from seed sown since
1879. The grand results from the work
of Mess-S. Smith and Saunders are mostly
due to tie great care taken in every part
Of the work. The trees of all the kinds
used were young their height, according
to kind. when planted, ranging from
eight to twelve feet, and having u diam
eter Of about one and Il half inches. The
average distance apart is twenty-five feet
the height of stem allowed before branch.
ing, from six to eight feet.
In planting, the greatest care is exer-
cised; when the soil is not naturally
good, holes are dug two feet deep and
nine feet in diameter. and filed in with,
good rich loan. The trees are lifted
from the nursery with the greatest care,
to preserve as far as possible the roots,
and in transit to prevent them from dry
ing or freezing. In planting, the soil is
packed closely around the roots, and one
copious watering Is given. A tr pro-
tector is at once placed around them, for
the purpose Of preventing them from be-
ing shaken by the winds or gnawcd by
horses, and perhaps what is most inn
portant Of all, to shade the stems of the
trees until their own foliage. is sufficient
to do Sc. For the Last reason, the best
and cheapest tree protector yet used is
one made Of wooden strips placed three
inches apart, and bound with iron hoops;
Shis gives the necessary shade to the
stem, and at the same time allows free
circulation of air. The best height for
the tree box is six feet.
The shading referred to is all i.npor-
tant. When the trees are growing in
forests or in the nursery, they shade one
another, and 1T must be evident, If set
out without any protection from the
blazing sun in the streets of city, they
must suffer. Many thousands of decidu-
Gus trees, both fruit and ornamental,
perish annually the first year of planting
through this cause. When taken from
the closely planted nursery rows and ex-
posed to the full sun and air, the change
Is too great, and unless the season is es-
pecially favorable, however carefully the
planting may have been done, large
losses must ensue unless tho stems
are shaded. Trees in orchards and
other Enclosures can be shaded by
wrapping tho stems up to the lower
branches with straw or anything that
will shade the trunk from the sun; but
for trees in streets or elsewhere, exposed
to injury, the Slated box is the best
method Of shading. The grand success
In planting the avenues in Washington
is no doubt due largely to the persistent
use OF this precaution, for it is never
omitted, and the results attest its value.
all trees for two years after planting are
cultivated, just as il they were crop Of
corn or potatoes, by the soil being stirred
by a pronged hoe for four or five feet
from the stem in al directions.
The planting of street trees has been
largely experimental. and has resulted
thus far in showing that the following
Are the best suited, and hence are used
IN the greatest numbers; 81 miles are
planted with white naples, 16 miles with
Carolina poplar, 10 miles with ash leaved
maple, G miles with Norway naples
In all, 81 miles. The other species, num-
bering about 81 kinds, aggregating TO-
600 trees, fill the remaining 80 miles 81
streets. -Harper's Magazine.