The morning call., 1891-11-03
ORNAMENTAL TREES FOR ROAD
WAYS.

The question of good roads is at the pres
ent time occupying considerable of the at
tention of the country press. The subject
Is an important one. The prosperity of
any section depends very largely upon the
condition Of Its avenues of approach. Good
roads are an economic measure, to say moth
ing Of their being of the greatest Importance
from considerations Of comfort.
Now that winter is approaching. when
the necessary work should be DONE we note
with pleasure that some of the interior pa
pers are suggesting the advisability of the
farmers planting roadside trees. In such
suggestion lies great possibility for beautify-
ing the highways of our State. For the
most part all efforts at planting roadside
trees in this State have resulted in the set
ting out Of rows of struggling blue-gums,
dreary expresses or evergreen pines, that
afford grateful shade in summer, but during
the winter months serve to keep the SUI
from the roads, which are in consequence
always wet and unpleasantly muddy
Deciduous trees are what are needed along
our country roads, and by a happy prOvis-
ion of nature nearly all of our nut and fruit
bearing trees are of this class.
In many parts of Europe such trees are
largely made use OF for roadside shade. and
I4t4b III Sd44lbL MIA Ni4cN COuiu NC ul4iiLcu III
manner 10 add greatly to the fame and
beauty of our State.
In this State the law allows man mate
rally to lessen his taxes by planting road
side trees. The work that would set row
of trees along the roadside boundary of or
chard or farm would scarcely be noticed in
most cases. and if these trees were nut-bear-
ing, for instance, they would come in time
to have an actual money value to the farm
er, TO be estimated at anywhere from 81 30
to $40 per tree. and even in old age, when
beyond bearing, would still have a market
value for timber.
There are plenty of available trees, all
desirable, from which the planter may make
his choice. The pecan is a handsome tree,
but not successful bearer in all parts of
the State. Black walnuts are stately and
beautiful, affording a grateful shade, and
are sturdy bearers. The California black
walnut is not so valuable for timber as the
Eastern variety, but it is more beautiful.
The Italian chestnut is magnificent tree,
anywhere, and in some parts of this State
experiments tried with growing the common
Ea stern chestnut are proving successful;
there is the handsome butternut with its
oily, well-named product, and tho tough
hardy shagback hickory, dear 10 every New
Workers. heart. All these are useful orna-
mental and easily cultivated. and besides
these may be counted such frut-trees as at
tain to large growth, the cherry, apple,
pear and some varieties of plums, all OF
which would cast most acceptable shade in
summer, and shedding their leaves in win
ter, would form no barrier against the suns
rays drying the roadway after rain. For
| the footDath way still other trees could be
| used. The writer once, in Southern Cali
fornia, enjoyed delightful stroll along
shady way, one side of which was sheltered
| by double row OF pom egranates and En-
| glish walnuts, while on the other grew
ora nges and pIums. arcbing overhead in a
| canopy Of cool green. the scarlet blossom of
| the pomegranate and the fragrant waxen
| one of the orange appealing to sight and
| smell with delicious combination of SEN
sation scarcely TO be described.
| Aside from the esthetic loneliness, the
| practical value and genuine comfort of fruit
| and nut bearing shsde-trees for our country
roads, there is also the by no means minor
| consideration of the enhanced value of all
| property situated in a section so beautifed
and improved. As it is now, the dusty, un-
shaded unlovelinesS Of CALIFORNIA; public
roads is proverbial, and must remain so
until our farmers and orchardists learn to
utilize the highways as their Eu ropean
brethren have long since done.