The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-01-10
RvNH 10 ~ AIZZy>

usage cannot be traced back farther than the six
teenth century. 1t then existed only in the Rhine
valley. to which narrow limits II was restricted
for more than 200 years. At the opening OF the
nineteenth century it spread to the rest OF Ger
many. and fifty years later had reached Bohemia
Hungary, Paris and England German immigrants
had already brought the custom to our own coun
try and hereIt has become popular that the
supply OF trees In the city markets is never equal
to the demand 49, tt
Linking the present with the dim past OF un
numbered centuries. there will this Christmas be
displayed in American homes 100000 evergreen
trees. There about 10000, 600 families In the
United States. and one in Tour OF these will make
the Christmas tree part OF the celebration that
is at hand This does not mean that only these
will participate In the festivities OF the season
for there is still the stocking method of dispens.
ing gifts But In this great number OF homes II
has become the custom to use the trees In ac-
cordance with the old-fashioned custom OF sturdy.
rural Germany.
New York. the metropolis OF the nation
far more Christmas trees than any other city In
the world Yet the city Is so admirably located
from the standpoint OF available forests that the
supply Is always abundant and prices low.
quarter OF million Christmas trees each year
brought to New York and all OF them are sold
during the week before Christmas. Over on
Riverside Drive. where are the homes OF the
wealthy. expensive trees are sold. These are
deliberately prepared often being specially grown
TOT PURPOSE anu DTinH prices hs uiBu ho |OVs
Yet the East Side gets its due proportion. and
abundant is the supply that good shrubs may be
had for 25 cents and so cents. The little trees
grow quickly and the farmers are often glad to
have them cleared OF their land AS a result the
people who count the pennies closely find the
Christmas green's within their reach.
Father Knickerbocker lives right In the midst
OF the most productive Christmas tree section
The state OF New York yields them abundantly
Straight down from the Adirondacks they come
In trainlosd lots. Northern Pennsylvania also
produces them without stint and 30 are all the
nearby cities guaranteed an abundance All
through New England there Is general use OF
the Christmas tree
For month past there have been hundreds or
men preparing the Christmas tree harvest for
the Youngsters who dwell In the towns and cities
In the smaller communities provided the region
produces the right sort OF trees, the farmer him.
self cuts them down and brings them to market
He sells these trees to market men, to grocers.
TO florists and decorators. They are bought from
him by the wagonoad and cost little Then they
properly prepared and set upon the sidewalk.
But preparation for the larger markets are dIfs
ferentY In the hills around the greater cities
making ready for Chriatmas is begun two months
+, before the arrival OF the day to be- celebrated
In Maine. for instance the men go out In gangs
of four. They know their business. for they have
gathered this selfsame harvest for a generation
They, have bought the trees they stand In tho
field paying the farmer FIVE cents each for them
painted over IN order that the sap may be re-