Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-12-01
FARM AND GARDEN.
TREES EoR HIGHWAYS.
Apple and Pear Trcos Might BE Planto
to Good Advantage.

to Good Advantage.
The use of fruit trees in highways is
not for shade only, but for the flowers
and the fruit. Can they be preserved
from mutilation by persons climbing
and beating them for fruit? have
been surprised to observe how very
little damage of this sort is done to
apple trees standing along a very
much travelled road When the fruit
ripens in summer it is mostly taken
by tramps and travellers, but the trees
are not injured. / think the fruit is
mostly allowed to fall off. l know
other places where cherry trees are
very freely planted in the highway.
The fruit is frequently taken, but the
trees seem quite as wholesome as those
in the gardens In the south persim-
mons and wild plums grow by the
roadside, and not seldom apricots and
peaches. They are respected about as
much as those inside Enclosures. Lon
don tells us that the cherry is used
very freely in Germany and all over
Europe for avenues. "In some coun-
tries the road passes for miles together
through an avenue of cherry trees. In
Moravia the road from Brunn to
Olmutz passes through such an avenue
extending upwards of sixty miles.
The avenues in Germany are not
only for shading the traveller but
that the poor pedestrian may obtain
refreshment. All persons are allowed
to partel1e of the cherries on condition
of not injuring the trees, but the main
crop of cherries is gathered by the
proprietors of the land on which they
grow. When these are anxious to pre-
serve the fruit of any particular tree,
a wisp of straw is tied in a conspicuous
part. So grapes in France are pro-
tected by sprinlSling plant with lime
water, leaving white blotches on the
leaves. Everyone who has travelled on
the continent in the fruit season must
have observed the respect that is paid
to these appropriating marks" There
seems to be general tendency in
human nature to defy bounds and get
over fences, but to return confidence
for confidence. The original removal
of fences has done nothing to increase
marauding, but has worked to the con-
trary. Butithere should be an element
of positive generosity in such tree
planting. an intention to share to
some extent with hungry travellers.
There are some of our fruit trees pc
culiarly adapted to street planting.
For narrow lane there could be moth
ing better than the Buffam pear
which grows very erect, like Lom-
hardy poplar. In the selection of ap-
pie trees, those that spread low, like
the Greening, are unsuitable; while
the Astrachan and Northern Spy are
peculiarly adapted to such purposes.
There is q sweet apple of delicious
quality called the Rag apple, that has
a most decided upward growth. Among
the plums, Washington and Goes
Golden Drop are good upright grow
ers, while such as Green Gage and
Pond would be too spreading. 1t is
very important to understand these
: points and observe them in any effort
to use fruit trees in the streets. Nut
trees are equally desirable, but not
any better for shade if judgment is
used in the selection of kinds. ] know
most charming avenue of seeding
apple trees. In flower it is sight
worth travelling miles to see. There
are shades from pure white to very
deep red. In fruit, these are apples
only fit for cider, and other sorts quite
acceptable to pedestrians. The ad
vantage of these trees is, they are
very clean and healthy.
A farmer not far from here has care
fully staked trees that came up along
a retired roadway, and grated them
He gathers heavy crops from the
street. but passers-by also help them
selves freely. There are many places
where the street may be thus utilized
/. for profit That our people would re
Q spect the owners MARKS and reserve
r trees for his special use is not likely
We aIe not yet educated to such cour
e tesy. Would not fruit growing in th'
t streets educate us in that line?-E. l.
e Powell, in Prairie Farmer.