The advocate., 1897-03-03
A Noble Evergreen Grove Seven Years
After Planting.
BY o. W. RICH, ATLANTIC, IOWA.


[The following paper was read at the South.
western LOVE- LOVE hoIMCSdGurS hoSaT ~ % IsSs ana ia
published Ia the Rural West, with the discus
sion that followed the reading OF this paper
for the benefit Of those who desire to plant
evergreen groves.
Three and One-half miles southwest OF
Atlantic is the best evergreen grove in
Cass county. 1t is easily seen from the
Lewis road, and is admired by everyone
travelling near it.
Five hundred Scotch pines, ranging
from eight to fourteen feet in height,
running in five rows, twelve feet apart
north and south, eight feet apart east
and west, stretching out eight hundred
feet one way and nearly fifty feet the
other. You look at it from afar and it
speaks in no uncertain language; you
feel thrill Of pleasure, q longing to be
nearer. AS you approach, you have
kinder feelings towards everybody and
wish you owned such grove, that you
might be near it always You forget for
q time the bitter strife Of politics, the
struggle for wealth and honor, the cruel
laws Of commerce, the hard times, and
give yourself to enjoying one OF Gods
temples-similRr in some respects to the
ancient temples used by GreCian
philosophers.
Three years ago, when the present
owner purchased the farm containing
this grove, he said he would dig up every
evergreen tree; the other day as we
walked through the grove he said he
would not take $1,000 for it. Why this
change Of mind? The evergreens had
won his heart. He spoke Of their great
protection from north wind and snow;
ito usefulness to young stock in chilly
spring, and many other money-saving
uses; but the main thing was Is beauty
and it's pleasure. giving qualities, He
liked it, everybody spoke It's praise and
all envied it; it was growing better every
year. Soon the table could be set under
It's shade, the young folks could hold
parties, picnics or celebrations in it, and
every hot Sunday friends could gather
for q cool and social time,
Who would say that such grove is
not worth $1,000 to any farmH Has not
the past few hard years taught US that
the value Of contentment cannot be
measured by dollars and CentsS
In the spring of 1890 the writer planted
this grove of 500 Scotch pines, two feet
high, for III. j. Hayward, who then
owned the farm. The contract called for
the planting, caring for and the replRc-
ing OF them for three years, for the SUM
OF 800. Was it a good investment
Should the State or society encourage
the planting OF such groves by remission
of taxes or by giving premiumsH
Who could estimate the increased
value of Iowa real estate il every quarter
section contained an evergreen grove!
But greater yet, and Of far more value
would be the contentment andennoblinG
qualities it would bring to the rural
homes--a happiness Of 80 high value
that it cannot be measured by silver and
gold.
DISCUSSION.
nc. Raymond: One thought came
to my mind while the paper was being
read, that is, that the sight of fine
evergreen grove produces kindlier feel.
inRs toward our fellow men, Many
people come to see my white pine grove,
which is very beautiful, and they say
"Oh, how beautifuln and then some say,
"WhRt waste OF groundp planted
my evergreen grove for myself, for my
own qualification, and / derive pleasure
from IL. It is beautiful TO look upon and
affords proteetlon from the Winds. The