Evening star., 1921-09-26

Evergreens are of especial land
scape value because they can be en-
joyed during every season of the
year. No other plants endure SO long.
They are especially adapted to the
climate of Washington, and If care
full selection is made. intelligent
planting done and proper care given,
the result from their use will be
entirely satisfactory. These three
items are equally important.
Selection.
In making a selection, the various
names used are often confusing, but
in speaking of the different varieties
those names may be used which seem
the most common. There are many
different kinds of evergreens and 1T
is deplorable fact that many desire
no further knowledge than to know
that plant is an evergreen. 1t is
perhaps for this reason that one
sees the common spruce being used
in a hit-or-miss fashion. The desire
was for an. evergreen, and the one
most available was used. The spruce
is one of our most beautiful trees,
but it is northern evergreen not
adapted to the heat among buildings
or for crowding with other ever
green's. If an open free growth is
wanted. the hemlock is one of the
best. 1t is very free from the usual
pests. Or 1t an be clipped for formal
effects.
1t is well to select evergreens for
their individual enjoyment, but the
composition as a whole-that is, the
relation of one plant to another and
they with their surroundings-is OF
more Importance. 1t is useless to
attract attention to one individual
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Generally speaking, it is more desir-
able in an evergreen planting to
keep to a few varieties than to have
collection where every type of
evergreen is represented. The plant
ing in such a case does not look
for existence between each individual
plant. Those plants that grow
rapidly will smother out the slow
growing ones.
Selection of varieties of evergreens
is often a matter that depends upon
the effect desired. The native Vir-
ginia cedar is an evergreen that can
be used in a great many ways very
effectively. The different varieties
of arborvitae and retinOspora are
also good evergreens to use. the
latter being somewhat similar to an
arborvitae. but has a number of diff
ferent forms of growth and generally
speaking is more compact. 1t is
certain that the various types of
retinosporas will require less care
than any other evergreen. Ever
green's should always be selected
with exceeding great care. for when
one is planting them they not only
plant for their immediate enjoyment
but for posterity.
Planting.
After selection has been made,
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size of the plants has considerable to
do with the procedure of planting.
Also. the plants should have been Sc
lected well in advance of the planting
season so that there need be no delay
in the operation. An evergreen does
shrubs or trees. SO that plants of rea-
sonable size should be used. For ex-
ample most varieties from two to
four feet in height are best Often
very small plants are used which are
easily injured and need a protection
which is not very slightly. If GER
tain expense is to be adhered to 1t is
better to procure fewer plants and
have them of the proper size. A ball
of earth should always be about the
roots of each plant, and this ball
should be kept in place with burlap
or other suitable material. the wrap
ping being removed just before the
evergreen is finally planted. The
earth about the roots should not be
allowed to dry out, and the ball
should be large enough to contain all
the roots. Care should be taken that
the earth does not break about the
roots, and that the hole which is to
receive the bali is considerably larger
than the ball itself. The planting area
should be properly prepared so that
the plant may grow in good soil. The
use of good judgment is all that is
necessary in this regard. After the
evergreen is planted it should have
adequate watering, a thorough soak
ing being far better than giving II a