The Elbert County tribune., 1912-01-12
THE EVERGREENS
BY r. q. sUckHAM.

To tell something really new about the ever
greens would be a difficult task indeed. since
the reader has doubtless been familiaT with
their principal traits and characteristics since
boyhood. and knows them all. root and branch
But 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 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 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 fall to ap-
preciate it.. today?
The evergreens are all of them hardy, and
easily grown. and adaptable to almost any cl
mate aid condition of soil and surroundings
You will find the spruce growing on the ex-
posed and chilly upper slopes of mountains. and
again equally we'll along the muddy banks of
river, In the depths of wet and gloomy
swampland. 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 propitious with them. They care not
whether times good or bad, or what politi.
cal faction is in the ascendency. They are
ready to launch out with you on a venture In
the lumber business at any time, and they
make pretty good partners to tie up with. too.
The several varieties Of the evergreens have
their peculiarities. traits and habits b. means
of which they can be selected to conform to
ones individual circum stances Thus, the hem
lock and the larch seem to be able to endure
almost any amount Of moisture in the soil,
whereas the pine is best constituted to 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
the snow fingers far into the spring, and the
sun makeHout to shine but little time each
day.
Almost any condition of soil and situation
can be met by these hardy growers. and they
seldom fail to return good profit to the man
who is willing to loan them the use OF his land
II the large leaved trees retained their foliage
throughout the year 1t is difficult to imagine
what havoc wind and sleet and snow would
not occasion amone them; but the foliage OF
the evergreens Is SO shaped that though re-
tained throughout the year, no damage results
in the f1ercest gales. What would be the de.
struction Of other trees, but makes music
among the evergreens. Long may their Tyres
be attuned throughout the hills and valleys of
country