The Thibodaux sentinel. (Thibodaux, La.) 1905-1912, 1912-01-13
THE EVERGREENS
BY r. B. BUckHAM.

To tell something really new about the ever
greens would be a 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 SO many others are leafless and for
iorn. The wonder Is that We do not see more
of-the eyensreens ii the streets OF citfes, 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. It's
value was recognized then Shall we fail to ap
preciate 1t. today?
The evergreens are all of them hardy. and
easily grown. and adaptable to almost any cli-
mate and condition of soil and surroundings
You will md the spruce growing on the ex-
posed and chilly upper slopes of mountains, and
again equally well along the muddy banks Of q
river, or 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 proritious 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 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 peculiarties, 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
at home on northern mountain slopes, where
the snow fingers far into the spring and the
sun makes out to shine but a 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 lie so shaped that though re-
tanned throughout the year, no damage result.
IN the hercest gales. What would be the de-
structfon OF other trees but makes music
among the evergreens. Long may their lvres
be attuned throughout the hills and valleys Of
our country!