New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-07

however. were made to 1t to do all sorts OF work
connected with arboriculture that new plan OF
operation was agreed on. and now all members
are entitled to the privilege Of placing their trees
under the societys care. Under this arrange
ment IL Is the duty Of the society to exercise
special care over such trees to inform the owners
when they need special attention, explain the
nature Of the ailment, and II the owner wishes
the society to do so II will furnish the skilled
labor to do whatever is necessary. and render a
bill for amount sufficient to cover the ex-
penses Members wishing trees removed or new
trees planted at liberty to place the work
in the hands Of the society. which furnishes
competent to do the work, and makes no
charge therefor beyond the actual cost.
The society employs no agents. and any one
soliciting work In its behalf may be set down
impostor. Our employees are forbidden
to give any estimates as to the cost OF any pro-
posed work. all inquirers being referred TO the
office for information. AS a rule, 1t Is dlf1cult
to estimate the cost of piece of work. but the
society charges when the work Is completed
1ust enough TO cover the actual expense. All
our business is done strictly business basis.
I recall one case In which rough estimate was
given that the proper treatment or TWO trees
would not exceed 81. When IT was done bill
was rendered for So 30 In such case we al
WAYS try to give the outside figure In advance.
In another case certain job was agreed 10 be
done for not more than 50; the actual bill rem
dered was - cents.
"Nfuch of the work Of the society Is In the
form Of published matter Frequent addresses
to the people Of Brooklyn in regard to destroy
kinds to plant in our streets. and so forth, are
circulated through the local press. and there Is
a great demand for the annual reports, bulletins;
etc, of the society. These are widely Circulated
and we have reason to believe that they 90
much good One Of our bulletins deals at length
with the important question of pruning trees, as
to which great ignorance prevails. Not much
had been published on this subject, ana we con-
sidered II of importance to put the best lnforna-
ton on II within reach Of the people of our city
We have given special attention to the tussock
roth the ravages of which may be witnessed
every day on many OF our streets, ana we
are always ready to instruct people regarding
Insecticides and the best methods Of using
them
FOUNTAINS FOR BIRDS TO BATTLE IN.
In answer to a question as to what the society
did to warrant the second adjective In Its title
Mr.. Collins said that not much had been done
in the matter Of fountains. except In the case
OF bird fountains of which several had been set
up on private grounds In his own garden MT
Collins has one. the design OF which was mace
by Mr. Low the president OF the society IL
consists Of basin about four feet in diameter
in the centre of which is spray FOUNTAIN In
the basin birds have an opportunity 10 drink
and battle and a circular ring Is PROVIDED LOT
them TO rest on. The fountain Is placed on
iron supports about seven feet hlgh so tnat the
birds will be out Of the reach Of their traditional
eremy. the cat. Around the supp orfs plants are
grown. the whole presenting a most attractive
brick and stone and connections have 10 be
made Of course, with the pipe that supplies the
house with water and also with the sewer Sit
ting on his piazza. Professor Collins, by
tuning a stopcock close at hand. may shut the
water off or give 1t greater force.
Such fountain would he ornamental In any
city backyard" 10 say nothing OF Its utility
Stree his was erected. Mr.. Collins SAYS that ne
has seen some Of our native birds enjoying
bath In IT, whereas he had seen only the
ubiquitous sparrows in the city for years and
he believes that general use Of these fountains
would lead to return OF native song birds to
their old time haunts in the city.