The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1912-01-12
THE EVERGREENS
BY r. 3. BUCkHAM.

To tell something really new about the ever
greens would be difficult task indeed. since
the reader has doubtless been familiar with
their principal traits and characteristics since
boyhood, and knows them all, root and branch
But a few facts relative to them may never
theless prove convenient for reference, and In
teresting and suggestive
First of all. then. they are distinctly desira-
BILE as shade and ornamental trees though
many fail to recognize their value as SUCH In
time. however, they will surely come to receive
the place as such which is due them
No tree can add more to the landscape than
one of these, and especially in the winter sea
son. when many others are leafess and for.
lorn. The wonder Is that we do not see more
Of the evergreens in the streets of cities and
about fine country places.
Again, they are of prime value as timber.
The price of soft wood lumber is steadily in
creasing. yearly. When this country was first
discovered. and grants Of land were given by
the king, in most cases great care was taken
to reserve the pine thereon to the crown. Its
value was recognized then. Shall we fail to ap
preciate it. today?
The evergreens are all of them hardy anS
easily grown, and adaptable to almost any eli.
mate aid condition of soil and surroundings.
You will find the spruce growing on the ex
posed and chilly upper slopes of mountains. and
rives, or In the depths Of wet and gloomy
swampaand, or out upon the sandy plain. Only
give them fair chance and the evergreens will
look out for themselves. There is no portion of
our nation In which they cannot be grown with
success and to advantage. The present is al
ways proTitious with them. They care not
whether times are good or bad, or what politi-
cal faction is In the ascendency. They are
ready to launch out with you on a venture 10
the lumber business at any time, and they
make pretty good partners to tie up with, too
The several varieties of dhe evergreens heve
their peculiarities. traits ap5 habits, means
of which they can be selecNsd to conform tc
ones individual circum stances. Thus, the hem
lock and the larch seem to b. able to endure
almost any amount Of moisture in the soil.
whereas the pine is best constituted t., thrive
in the most barren sands, and to endure long
continued droughts. The spruce is the most
successful OF them all in doing without sun.
shine. surviving dense shade, and making itself
at home on northern mountain slopes. where
the snow fingers far into the spring. and the
sun makes out to shine but little dime each
day.
Almost any condition of soil and situation
can be met by these hardy growers, and they
seldom fail to return a good profit to the mar
who is willing to loan them the use of his land
h the large leaved trees retained Their foliage
throughout the year st. is difficult to Imagine
what havoc wind and sleet and snow woulc
not occasion amons them; but the foliage OF
the eversreens is so shaped that though re-
tanned throughout the year, no damage rasults
in the fercest gales. What would be tie ID
struction of other trees but makes rnusin
among the evergreens. Long may their lyre,
be attuned throughout the hills and valleys of
our country!