Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-05-15
SHADE TREES.
A. & NJ. Co. - Bulletin Discusses the
Subject SensibIy and Fully.

MESILLA PARK, May ia bull
1etin is soon to be published which
treats of shade trees, ev%ergreens,
shrubs and perennial vines that have
been tried at the experiment station.
Most of the trees, eyergreens, ETC.,
tried have done well, but there are a
few, however, that have proven to be
OF no value for planting here.
In this connection, it may be in
place to call attention to the need OF
planting more shade trees and other
ornamentals in the home grounds and
along drives. Generally speaking
there seems to be only a little inter-
est taken in this important branch OF
horticulture. 1t is true that often
times the conditions for the growing
OF Ornamentals are not at all favor
able on account of the lack OF water
for irrigation or poor soil conditions.
Sometimes the selections Of unsuited
E-
kinds Is the cause Of failure. BY the
proper selection of kinds adapted to
our conditions and q constant care in
establishing the specimens planted,
the home grounds a be made more
attractive. There are a number OF
trees, shrubs, ETC., that are perfectly
hardy and with proper care will grow
well. It is better to plant a tree that
is known to be adapted to a given
climate, although defective in some
respects, than to try to grow one that
is not adapted to the region, no mat
ter how well it may succeed In other
sections. Then plant specimens Of
those species that are now known to
do well in New Mexico.
The need Of information on the
above subject has been constantly
realized in tn past, but it is hoped
that the bulletin in question, while
not complete, will be OF some value
TO the person intending to plant his
home grounds with ornamentals. The
list Of trees, shrubs, etc., while not
large as compared with the number
that may be adapted to this section,
may be helpful in the selection of
kinds. OF the different kinds tried,
the following, in the order named, are
among the best for general purpose
trees, especially if water for irrigation
is scarce:
Black Locust, Russian Mulberry,
B%oxelder, China berry tree, Elm, Ash.
The common pear and apricot seed
lings make very good shade trees.
Both of these trees are very hardy
and long lived in this locality. The
pear tree leafs out in the spring be-
fore the other trees, about two weeks
in advance Of the Black Locust and
Mulberry. For large and quick growth
where an abundance Of water for irri-
cation can be had or where the wa
ter is only a few feet from the surface
the cotton-woods and poplars are good
trees to plant.
1t has been found that among the
larger growing evergreens tried the
Red Cedar (J%uniperus Virginiana)
and Cedrus Deodora (Himalaya Ce-
dar) are well adapted to this section
and are most desirable for planting.
Of the Arborvitae. which are medium
sized evergreens, the Golden and
Pyramidalis are among the best test
ed. The Eunonymus, which is a slow
or growing evergreen, is well adapted
to this climate and is decidedly a
most ornamental hedge plant as well
as desirable for planting in groups.
Only a few of the shrubs can be
toned here. The Spiera (var. Van
Houttei) takes the lead, as it is a
profuse and early bloomer. The AL
thae is a good towering shrub, but
must be kept moist or we'll irrigated
to do well. The Lemon Verbena,
Grape Myrtle, Bush Ho~neysuckle and
Caragana grandefiora have given sat
isfactory results. A number of vines
are enumerated in the bulletin, but
the H~oneysuckle, Virginia Creeper,
Wisteria and Silver Vine are among
the most hardy.
Aside from the discussion of these
ornamentals, the bulletin contains
hints about the planting and are Of
trees, which may be found helpful in
the planting and care of them.
FABIAN GARCIA.