Sometimes people put a $10 plant in a $1 hole. What we say out here is you should put a $1 plant in a $10 hole. You need to create a hole; it needs to be much wider than the root ball.

It's sometimes good to enrich the soil. Whenever you plant a tree, or any plant, you're damaging some of its roots, and you're going to have to give it a little TLC. You want to have a healthy root system that will expand. You want to provide some kind of inducement so that it will expand. Roots are stupid, they're lazy, they'll take the path of least resistance. So if you have a tiny little hole, what are they going to do? They aren't going to try to push through hard dirt. They're just going to travel around and around, and around—until they stop working.

If a plant is in a stress situation, it can take nutrients from its old growth and bring them to the new part. So if there's a nutrient deficiency, where you'll see it is in the older leaves, because the plant is kind of feeding on itself. If you see new green growth and old yellow growth, it's more than likely due to a nutrient deficiency.

There are also a host of minor nutrients. If you're in a place that has high rainfall, molybdenum and sulphur can become deficient—they literally get washed out of the soil. Molybdenum is necessary for plants to be able to use nitrogen. Places in the Southeast often have a molybdinum deficiency. You can replace nitrogen, but if you don't replace the micronutrients, you're not going to get full use of the fertilizer.

Ninety five percent or more of the problems you have in your landscape are going to be cultural. If you have good cultural practices you're not going to have these problems.

Trees: Never be afraid to reject trees that come in. If you order them, you're the customer and you don't have to accept them. They grow a lot of junk out there.

If the tree has a stake next to the trunk, get it off immediately. It's bad for the tree; it's tree abuse.

Cutting off branches: Unfortunately, in years past, we told people to cut them off against the trunk and we did it so well that now we're having a problem trying to let people know that we told you wrong. So don't cut a limb flush. And don't paint the spot afterward, because then you seal in moisture and you can get rot.

Pruning pines: I know it's really hard, especially where you have a lot of mowing, but trees are big shrubs until they become mature. And so often when you buy plants from nurseries, they're what we call "lollipops" a shape that will cause problems in the future.

You need the limb structure to be all the way down the trunk. If you trim the branches all the way up to make it look like what we think a tree should look like, then it becomes a sail—it catches the wind and doesn't distribute it all the way through—and then you have a problem.

This article compiled from an address presented by the authors at the 2006 ICFA Annual Convention

Of all the work pertaining to horticulture there is none so difficult to write about as the planting and pruning of trees and it is almost impossible for one to learn how to do the work by reading for the fact that no two trees are alike.

Whoever studies the varied beauties of trees will find that they possess almost a human interest, and their features will reveal varieties of expression, and charms of character, that dull observers cannot imagine.

No tree has the highest beauty of its type without the appearance, in its whole bearing, of robust vigor. There may be peculiar charms in the decay of an old trunk, or the eccentric habit of some stunted specimen which ministers to the love of the picturesque; but tree beauty and health are as inseparable in trees as in humanity. Luxuriant vigor is, then, the essential condition of all beautiful trees but thriftiness cannot make an elm look like an oak, but rather brings into higher relief the distinguishing marks of each, making the elm more graceful and the oak more majestic.

It is always profitable to give time to intelligent preparation of the soil to receive the trees and to be sure that the roots are kept in a moist condition until established in the new ground, Excavate the soil from a space wide and deep enough to provide for the root growth, throw back the soil so that your trees when planted in the middle of the prepared space will have a deep, mellow bed in which to extend their roots.

In planting, the tree should be set in the ground no deeper than it grew in the nursery, which depth may be determined by discoloration of the bark at the base. More trees die from this one cause than from any other. Any broken or injured roots should be pruned so that the ends be smooth.

It transplanting trees I would advise liberal doses of old manure or wood ashes. It is surprising how the roots revel in ground containing such ingredients. Another important factor for quick and luxurious growth is to form basins around the trees in order to catch the water. It is, besides that, a safeguard against the lawn mower. Never allow any grass to grow near your young trees; keep the basins always free of weeds and have the soil stirred up two or three times during the summer and in winter put some short manure on to keep out the cold, and also to serve as a mulch. Be sure to have the basins large enough, never less than one foot in diameter; two feet is much better.

You ask--When is the best time to plant trees and my answer is: plant whenever the weather conditions are favorable. There are so many conditions that may work out all right for the grower in a certain locality, but would be the wrong procedure in another locality. And again, one season may call for a slight modification of the work done the previous year. Thus you can easily see that it is impossible for anyone to lay down a fixed set of rules and follow them, in reference to each particular case. All well regulated cemeteries should have their own nursery so you could plant just whenever you have a favorable day. I have planted trees from our own nursery row as late as the third week in May, out in full leaf and without a single loss. This, of course, would be impossible if you had to buy your trees at some distance from home; hence the double advantage.

It is common to note how little attention most people pay to the trees after they are once planted. Is it any wonder one sees so few really beautiful specimens? This is apparently due to the fact that they do not require his constant care, and usually seem to thrive without his aid; yet what a vast difference between a well trained, properly cared for tree and the one that has to take care of itself. A tree demands very little care and attention if it be done annually, but that it must have to develop properly.

How to save our trees? That is the problem; to prevent them from dying; to keep them in good health, strong and beautiful; to keep them with us. Surely these are admirable endeavors and worthy of much thought and attention.

I cannot emphasize enough the necessity of removing the old bark of the trees once every two years just before spring opens. This should be gathered carefully and burned. It is not only of the greatest benefit to the growth and appearance of the tree, but it also destroys thousands of insects, larva and pupa in them, which have their winter quarters under the loose pieces of bark, just getting ready for their destructive work as soon as spring opens. "One ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure" and the removal of the old bark is just such an ounce of prevention against the ravages of caterpillars and scale in summer.

PRUNING

I was taught some years ago by our local nurserymen, to do all tree pruning when the trees were dormant, or when the sap was down; but from my own experience, and observation of late years, I do all my pruning when the sap is up and I recommend same to all my friends. In our own locality, the center of Ohio, I find the month of June and usually the first two weeks of July (if the weather conditions are right) is the best season of year to do this work.

One should always use a sharp, fine-tooth saw, and as soon as the trees are pruned paint the cuts with one coat of thin paint. Never leave any stubs when pruning, but cut always just as close as possible to the trunk of the tree, so that the cambium gets a chance to close the wound, and the sap must be up in the tree in order to promote this growth. Cambium is the white and softer part of wood between the inner bark and the wood. It is popularly called the sap-wood. This is annually acquiring firmness and thus becoming hard wood.

If a limb is cut when the sap is down, and has to stand several months, before the sap rises up again this cut becomes hard and dry, and in most cases the cambium never starts to grow and in a few years the cut is rotten and makes a home for insects and we all know that where we have insects we cannot have a healthy tree.

I think the secret of fine exterior foliage is mostly due to a good, clear, healthy interior, entirely free from suckers, dead wood and all small branches that do not help to make up a pleasing exterior.

The sunlight and air should reach every part of the tree.

Do not prune simply because you see your neighbor pruning, but start about your work with the aim of accomplishing a certain fixed purpose, and never cut a branch from your tree unless you have a reason for so doing.

The tree may be spread, or it may be contracted, by cutting to a bud that point outward for the former or to a bud that inclines inward for the later. If this be done intelligently it will prove of great value in the training of your trees. As a rule, the weaker the growth the harder it should be pruned back. This will encourage a heavier wood growth the following season.

By this article it can be seen that growing fine trees is not a sinecure, but still it is a glorious work, demanding a man's whole energy and unfailing love for Nature, and one of her most beautiful creations--the tree.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Convention
Held at New York City, NY
September 14, 15 and 16, 1909

The laying out of the grounds in a modern cemetery is quite a serious problem to secure the best landscape effects, after the monumental work has been erected. A beautiful section of newly developed land present's quite a changed appearance after the different monumental workers have erected various designs in marble and granite, oftentimes destroying some landscape effect which may have been in the mind of the cemetery superintendent when arranging his grading and planting.

To secure satisfactory results it is often necessary to change the original scheme of planting and the planting areas are quite often restricted to small spaces. In such places as these many times the desired results may be obtained by using the dwarfer growing evergreens and ornamental grasses.

The evergreens give a pleasing winter effect as well as summer; and as many of them can be pruned and confined to small size, their usefulness may be readily realized.

The ornamental grasses can be planted even in the narrow spaces around lots or between headstones as they are a perennial, coming into form early in the season and lasting well info the winter. As they die back to the ground each year and can easily be subdivided, they never need become objectionable to the lot owners and yet we are able to hide many undesirable features by their use.

Among the most useful evergreens for use in our locality the following varieties have proved the most hardy: Colorado blue Fir, common and golden varieties of the prostrate Juniper, Irish Juniper, Swedish Juniper, Norway white and blue Spruce, Mountain Pine, White Pine, if kept nipped back closely, Retinosporas, filifera and plumosa, American Arbor Vitae in varieties such as George Peabody, Hoveyii, globosa and pyramidalis, the Siberian Arbor Vitae, Hemlock, Taxus Canadensis and cuspidata, Rhododendrons in variety, Andromeda floribunda and arborescence, Mahonia aquifolia, Kalmia and Euonymus radicans and radicans variegata.

These varieties would vary in hardiness according to location, but are quite satisfactory around Boston. Many more varieties can be used a little farther south, and probably many of the above named would not live if exposed to the cold winds only a short distance north.

Among the most satisfactory ornamental grasses are the Eulalias in variety, Gracillima univitata, Japonica, Japonica variegata, Japonica zebrina, the striped ribbon grass, Phalaris arundinacea variegata, the hardy and some of the half hardy Bamboos.

These grasses make graceful, pleasing effects which can be taken advantage of in many crowded sections and have the further recommendation of standing transplanting at almost any season should they be located where a stone is to be placed or an interment made.
The above-named evergreens and grasses are probably only a few of the many varieties that can be used to advantage, but those which I have mentioned have proved very satisfactory in our own grounds. 

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 22nd Annual Convention
Held at Kansas City, MO
August 11, 12 and 13, 1908

The cemeteries I have the honor to represent are situated on the northeast coast of England in close proximity to the North Sea, where the climate is very unfavorable to gardening, especially in a severe winter. We have in Sunderland three large cemeteries, 115 acres in all, under the control of the Sunderland county borough council and are laid out in a way as to make them appear more like parks than cemeteries. In each cemetery we plant annually quite four hundred thousand flowering plants for spring and summer bloom. The spring flowers chiefly consist of early flowering Dutch bulbs, tulips, hyacinths and narcissus forming the greater part, large quantities of dark red wall flowers (about fifty thousand), together with primroses, myosokis, aubrietia, arabis Alpina compacta forming large masses by the long avenues. In addition to this my committee undertake on behalf of the relatives of deceased persons the care of grave lots and plant suitable flowering plants together with flowering shrubs twice during each year, by the way I may mention that I notice in the states that many burial authorities receive grants of money for the perpetual care of grave lots, which I fully approve of and hope that the authorities of our cemeteries in Great Britain will soon follow your example.

In the year 1875 when I first took over the care of one of our large cemeteries there were no flowers cultivated and remember asking the consent of my board to purchase four dozen geraniums to form a flower bed which was very conspicuous, being the only one in 24 acres of land; as time went on the number of flower plots increased also did the grave planting and now the fees from this source is one of the best sources of revenue, averaging near £1,000 per year. When the spring bloom is over the flower beds and borders are cleared and replanted with their summer occupants, such as geraniums, calceolarias, violas, echeveria, lobelia, begonias, East Lowthian stocks, the various kinds of asters and numerous kinds of annuals worked in large quantities, the demand for grave planting in our cemeteries has necessitated the erection of a large number of greenhouses which not only supply the graves but furnish a large number of plants for the general decoration of the vast grounds of our cemeteries.

I notice that the question of erecting glass houses in the cemeteries in the states has been much questioned as to whether they were profitable or otherwise here we find they are profitable but apart from this they enable us to do something to brighten the surroundings in our cemeteries where thousands of our people gather in large numbers. Since the introduction of floral decorations in our cemeteries it is not an unusual sight to see 5,000 people walking through the avenues, especially on a Sunday evening. This I think is sufficient evidence that a good floral display in a cemetery is a fit and proper thing to do. This may give rise to much discussion at the convention but this is my opinion founded on 31 years of practical experience.

Flowering shrubs also form a great part in our floral display, rhododendron, "Cunningham White" being especially useful. Olearia Hastu should always be in evidence with its large clusters of hawthorne like blossoms. This shrub is particularly hardy by the coast, makes a perfect bush and easy of cultivation. I have seen many changes and much progress in gardening, especially in floriculture, which has for its object the production of subjects of taste and curiosity.

For early spring bloom and making a brilliant display I strongly advocate "violas." No one need be afraid of being amply repaid for their labors if they try the following varieties. I grow annually about 20,000 plants.

"Viola cornuta papilio" a beautiful violet shade of blue is most profuse and makes a complete sheet of bloom, a good bed of this is not to be equaled by any, other variety so far as I know. "Viola cornuta rosea," is a new type very distinct and a color much needed. These I consider would give full satisfaction to any who do spring bedding.

The many varieties of self colored pansies form a striking contrast for spring bedding and are worthy of your attention, as I have grown large quantities with good effect.

Stocks are indispensible for spring bloom. For over 20 years I grew large quantities of the scarlet and white queen and improved the strain to a considerable degree until an average of 80 percent were doubles. In 1876 I obtained a few plants from a friend in Newcastle which averaged perhaps 10 percent of doubles the first year and improved each year until 80 percent was reached:

"Primroses," of late years I have been much interested in their cultivation.

Auriculas. This class of spring flowering plants is of great interest to those who can spare the time to give them the attention they require. For many years I purchased seed from specialists and had a failure each time, then I purchased strong plants which flowered well and in a hot season produced abundance of seeds which I had sown immediately it was ripe, under this treatment I produced thousands of plants.

Bulbs. As the cultivation of hyacinths, snowdrops, scillas, crocus and similar spring bulbs is so well known I do not propose to offer any remarks on them.

I trust this short paper has interested you as it is my earnest desire to do.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 20th Annual Convention
Held at Detroit, MI
August 21, 22 and 23, 1906

All have not been so situated as to give the gypsy moth much study and for that reason have not given them much thought, but as it has become so serious a matter it seems to be the duty of everyone to give it a thought. For the benefit of those who know little of the insects' habits I would say that for more than 100 years the gypsy moth has made great ravages in the European and Asiatic countries. In the year 1752 gardens, vineyards and forests were stripped of their foliage in Ger¬many. In 1794 much damage was done in different parts of Germany. In 1817, in France, the damage done was immense. In 1837, 1839 and 1842 they completely devastated a region about Toulouse, France, of about 230 square miles. In 1851-53 the zoological gardens at Berlin were completely ruined. In 1878 they so abounded in Zruier, Russia, that in migrating from one forest to another they marched over and literally covered the walls of houses found in their way. Many more instances are recorded of the damage done by them in foreign countries.

In 1868 a French scientist, residing at Medford, MA, imported egg clusters of the gypsy moth to use in experimenting with silk producing insects. The professor afterwards returned to France and the manner in which the moth escaped from his care could not be learned by correspondence. A well known citizen of Cambridge saw the professor at his residence at Mendon, France, a short time before his death and he informed him that he had the caterpillars netted on a shrub in his yard at Medford and that during a gale the netting was torn and the insects scattered. He at once notified the public through the entomological magazine of that time. No notice was taken of it, or at least nothing was done and the insects, becoming established, multiplied with wonderful rapidity. By 1889 they had become so abundant in Medford and Malden that they completely stripped the trees and were forced to swarm out¬ward in all directions in search of food.

On March 14, 1890, the first act authorizing work against the gypsy moth by the Legislature was approved by Governor Brackett, which carried an appropriation of $25,000. A commission was appointed and it was soon learned that the infested territory was much larger than was at first supposed and on June 3, 1890, an additional appropriation of $25,000 was made. Work by different commissioners was vigorously carried on, and in the year 1899 the gypsy moth was completely under control throughout the district. In the year 1900 a special committee was appointed by the Legislature to investigate the work that had been done, and they reported "that further work was unnecessary, as the gypsy moth need not be considered a serious pest. It appears to us that the fears of the farmers throughout the state have been unnecessarily aroused. We do not share these exaggerated fears and the prophecies of devastation and ruin are unwarranted, which are but the fancies of honest enthusiasts." The report of this committee caused the Legis¬lature to make no further appropriation, and the state work was brought to a close. During the years 1900 and 1901 no great damage was caused by the moth, although it was evident to the trained eye that it was rapidly increasing. The years 1902 and 1903 showed that the moth had established itself in alarming numbers; serious colonies had developed in the woods of Arlington, Medford, Saugus and the Lynn woods. In 1904 the insect appeared in alarming numbers in districts that had previ¬ously been cleaned. It is evident now that the moth pest is in the ascendency and can only be controlled by prompt and thorough work.

It is now plain that the honest enthusiasts knew what they were talk¬ing about and that a few more dollars spent in 1900 and 1901 would have saved the expenditure of many thousands of dollars that must be spent at the present time. No more foliage will be destroyed by them this year, as they are rapidly passing to the pupa state and miller stage of their existence. The millers eat nothing. The female cannot fly, which is very fortunate. She is now depositing her eggs in countless numbers. They can be found in every conceivable place, nicely covered with a yellowish wooly substance, and each patch or cluster contains from 400 to 500 little eggs resembling mustard seed. As soon as the female lays her eggs her mission in life is ended and she dies. The eggs will hatch about the first of next May and then the work of devastation will commence. The tiny worms at first soon develop into worms from two to two and a half inches in length. To identify them look for a row of blue spots on the back, followed by a double row of crimson spots--ten blue spots and twelve crimson. The spots are not noticeable till the worm is two¬-thirds grown. They are ravenous feeders and will continue their work of destruction to the last of July and the first of August. The female caterpillar, pupa and miller are all larger than the male.

No more damage will be done till the eggs hatch next May and we have till then to destroy them, by saturating them with creosote. Do not scrape them off, as they will be lost in the ground and will hatch there. The eggs are not only deposited on the trunks and branches of the trees, but in stone walls; under plank walks and holes in the ground, requiring a sharp and careful eye to find them. The object of putting the burlap around the trees in the spring is to furnish the worm with a hiding place which they seem to like, and there is no use in doing this if they are not collected and destroyed every day. They travel and feed in the night, and in ascending and descending a tree they take refuge under the burlap and stay there, and as they like each others company, many will linger near the burlap, where they can be easily found• and destroyed. From thirty-five to forty bushels have been collected and destroyed in this way in, Pine Grove Cemetery during the present sum¬mer, and with all this labor there are hundreds of clusters of eggs that will receive careful attention and be destroyed.

If one who has not given the matter much thought will ride over the Lynnfield road and through the Lynn Woods, he will have an idea what the result will be if the pest is not conquered. The evergreen trees or conifers, which embrace the pine, spruce, hemlock and others, to be defoliated once is almost certain death. The deciduous trees or those that shed their foliage every year will survive defoliation two or at the most three times. The street trees throughout our City bear evidence of being carefully looked after by Superintendent Doak of the highway department. It is the duty of every citizen to encourage the authorities by words or money, if necessary, to annihilate this pest. Our beautiful trees that give us so much pleasure during the summer months should not be ruined if human labor can prevent it. It is sad to see a grove of trees entirely defoliated, and be obliged to say what a pity. The countless thousands of brown-tail millers that hovered around our arc lights and covered the sides of the buildings in the business section of our city last summer will not' be seen to any great extent this summer, and those who suffered last season with the itch, caused by them, will have nothing to fear this summer, as they have almost entirely disappeared, but the gypsy moth is on the increase.
There is a beautiful woods near us called "Lynn Wood" in which they have been fighting these pests. The authorities have stopped driving through them and closed up the roads, because the caterpillars would get on to the vehicles as they drove through and the branches swept the carriages and would be thus carried to other locations. 'When the caterpillars were traveling through the wood the road was literally covered with them, the commissioner of highways sprayed the roadway and destroyed millions. There was a group of large white pine in Lynn Wood. A man could have saved this group of trees by the use of the burlaps, but now the trees are almost entirely destroyed.

The superintendent of streets sprayed the trees along the streets with a pump run by a gasoline engine and he has kept the street trees very clean.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 20th Annual Convention
Held at Detroit, MI
August 21, 22 and 23, 1906

Among the various subjects for our consideration at this time, is that of "Trees, Shrubs and Plants for the Adornment of the Cemetery." The subject is vast and unbounded. Our country extends from the Arctic to the Torrid Zone. It may be said of it, it is the glory of all lands; and within its bounds are twenty-four (24) botanical classes of plants, with no less a multitude than thirty thousand species, and an endless variety in the species. From this vast array of beauties, each superintendent will have to select for himself that which will flourish in his particular location.

Let us not forget that every plant, from the lichen that clings to the rocks, to the majestic redwood Sequoia Gigantica which adorns the hills of California, is an expression of our beneficent Creator's good will to men. It was a paradise we lost; we are to regain a paradise. When earth and all which it contains shall have passed away within the precincts of a future world, the family of man shall partake of joys depicted under the alluring imagery of a garden, a pure crystal stream, refreshing bowers and luxuriant verdure. It is meet that we should beautify the resting place of our dead, relieve the gloom of death and make the cemetery a pleasing retreat for reverent contemplation.

Whatever planting is done in the lots should be done under the direction of the superintendent. If flowers are desired by the lot holder, they should be planted in beds, circles or crescents, so that they will not interfere with the cutting of the grass. Flowering shrubs are more becoming than tender flowers; a clump of hardy ever blooming roses, White Musk Cluster, Red Rambler, Hermosa; for single bushes Hydrangea Grandiflora is one of the best, but our hardy native Rhododendrons are beautiful all the year round, the fern-leaved birch gives the best shade and does not injure the grass, or stain marble or granite; it is also a pleasing object all the year round.

The best thing in a lot is a fine carpet of grass, and whatever is planted in the lot should be placed so that it will not obstruct the mowing. Trees and shrubs in the lots should be few and select. The screening plantations and sylvan scenery, with thousands of ornamental trees and shrubs should be outside the lots, properly on the borders of the cemetery. A judicious arrangement of the planting gives dignity to the landscape, sequestration and shelter.

The cemetery of which I have charge belongs to the classical city of Washington, PA, the woody land of Penn, the Keystone State of our Union, located among the rich hills of Washington County. When I took charge of the cemetery in 1868 most of the grounds were primeval forest. Our general plan is to leave sections of the forest between the lot sections. The effect is grand. We value these trees highly, not because of their commercial value, but because they were planted by the Lord of heaven and earth. The managers have given their superintendent a free hand to plant everything that will flourish in our location. Already we have a great variety in our old reserve forest, but will add many more as we find it convenient. The standard forest trees cannot be grown to perfection if transplanted. Oak, walnut, chestnut, hickory seeds should be planted as they fall from the trees and covered with wood's earth. As they grow, keep the stem or trunk covered with leaves, let the top go aloft, to any height desired, but protect the trunk with leaves, until the top branches shade the ground around the tree. Fibrous-rooted trees, such as maple, elms and poplars, can be transplanted without dwarfing them.

The white oak is, among the deciduous trees, what the cedar of Lebanon is among the evergreen trees. The way it takes hold of the earth, its perpendicular trunk, where it has room to spread, limbs very large, diverging at a very large but not uniform angle, from a broad, gnarled, massive juncture; some of them go out horizontally, variously contorted, much and variously branched, the higher limbs make a sharper angle, they all often make considerable bends, in any direction, upwards, downwards, or on either side, spray on many twigs at right angles in all directions, miniatures of the larger limbs. As an ornamental tree it is beautiful in every stage of its growth; at first light, slender, delicate and waving, at last, broad, massive and grand but always graceful. Let everyone who has an opportunity plant a white oak. When standing in a situation, where it is somewhat protected and has room freely to expand its limbs, it will improve in beauty and magnificence for many generations of men. It is the last tree on earth to yield to the storm. When standing together, the mixture of the various oaks makes an interesting and beautiful picture. Among the evergreen trees, the pines, spruces, firs, cypresses, north of Mason and Dickson's line, the white pine for beauty and utility heads the list. It bends to the storm, yet successfully resists its violence. All the coniferva are worthy of a place in the cemetery.

Managers and superintendents of American cemeteries and parks, as intelligent and patriotic citizens, should give good heed together and preserve our vegetable American beauties and give them a place in our public grounds, so that they may not disappear from the earth. Before the tremendous energies of our people the forests are going down like the harvest before the reaper. Comparatively there are still a few trees left. Like the latest left in their ancient strength they stand and tell us still of the sylvan years when the forest filled the land. Our worthy President Roosevelt, the Senate, Congress and the Legislatures of every State in the Union, besides the colleges and schools, have taken the forest-tree question into consideration. No doubt good will come to the nation through their deliberations.

Hardy Herbacous plants should find a place in every cemetery; they are beautiful and afford not only a great variety in form and color and habit of plant, but diversity in beauty of foliage, while the flowers present an endless variety in form and color, and in time of flowering they range from earliest spring to latest autumn. Have them arranged in families, according to the Linnean system of botany. Begin with range A, say 100 to the range, then range B; ten ranges to the block; then as many blocks as can be filled; use calcined numbers twelve inches in the ground and three inches above the surface and a catalogue to correspond, which will be of great use to botanical classes in the colleges, seminaries and high schools, but above all it will be one of the most interesting ornaments of the cemetery, more in place than, common flower beds.

Besides the importance vegetation has in the adornment of the cemetery, among the natural sciences none is more fitted for general education than botany. It relates to objects which are constantly within our reach and can be studied at all times; and it is fitted alike for young and old, for rich and poor. It makes us see wonderful beauty and arrangement even in the meanest weed. It adds brightness and pleasure to the hours of recreation. The works of God are wonderful and they are sought out of all that have pleasure therein. Let a student acquire a taste for science and he will proceed to search out more and more the objects around him. But while prosecuting with ardor the study of material things, let him not be misled by a false glare of science, which would lead him to ignore the power, the omniscience and constant superintendence of Him by whom all things were created and by whom they subsist every moment and while diligently acquiring a knowledge of earthly things let him not forget the better things of God's word, which alone can make him wise unto salvation.

Let me call your attention to the shading of avenues in the cemetery with the grand drapery of the forest. Of course we will have to use only such trees as are tough, to withstand storms. Say, one avenue white oak-Quercus Alba; a second avenue red oak-Quercus Rubra; and various other lofty oaks. The white ash, Fraxinus Acuminata, and various sorts; Magnolia Acuminata; several varieties of the elm; several varieties of the beech and hornbeam; the buttonwood tree, Platanus Occidentalis, could be used with fine effect. Both our native and European buttonwood trees are splendid in any position. The idea is to form an arch to any height desired over the roadway, of one particular kind of trees to any point desired. Then proceed with another sort, one sort of tree to each avenue. For vistas, raise the arches, or leave vacancies. To give variety, short dark avenues can be used in some locations. The white pine and Austrian pine are the best, for this purpose. The idea is to keep every avenue or part of the avenue, distinct with a distinct sort of tree. Of course we will have to use such trees as will flourish in the valley and on the hill and various soils. The various trees will give various shades; from the light and shimmering, to the dark of the gloaming, even at noonday.

Trees are a perpetual source of delight to all the senses of man, all the year round; the soothing summer sighing; in winter they sing to the storm. The greatest men, the human race has produced, have been interested in trees. Moses prayed earnestly, that he might be permitted to pass over and see the goodly land and Lebanon. He wished to see the cedars, and the oaks of Bashan.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 20th Annual Convention
Held at Detroit, MI
August 21, 22 and 23, 1906

I have thought it might be of some benefit to write a few lines regarding the subject of this paper, and should it lead any Superintendent who has never indulged in these most beautiful and attractive plants; to spend a few dollars in planting a collection, and receive as much pleasure there from and hear as many expressions of admiration as I have heard, I will be amply repaid and may be excused for offering this paper.

We can well understand that unless some kind of water supply is to be had it is useless to consider this question.

The supply of water necessary to sustain a pond suitable for the growth of Aquatics, will of course depend upon the area of the pond and the general conditions governing it, but I fear there are some who are under the impression that a greater flow of water is necessary, than is actually needed. We are told by the scientific men, that the growth of aquatics in ponds is maintained in part by the plants being fed on the malaria and other impurities hovering around such localities, and render them healthier than such locations usually are before the pond is constructed. Not only are these impurities all absorbed, but the dreaded mosquito (of which so much is now being written) is not allowed to propagate if suitable fish are kept in the pond, which will eagerly devour its larvae as soon as it is deposited.

These facts being true, then what some suppose to be a stagnant pond and unhealthy to be near, is in realty not such; therefore we conclude that we do not need such a bold supply of water as might be supposed by some.

Regarding the location and construction of a suitable lily pond, I will give my experience and a description of one of ours.

In the year 1898, when our Association was held at St. Louis and while we were at the beautiful Shaw's Garden, I first became infused with the idea of making a trial of aquatics. On my return home I began to think the matter over and look for a suitable place to make the start in a small way. Nearby my office we have a moderately bold spring, so we determined to utilize the spring for this, so in the depression close by we constructed a small pool of irregular outlines about 30 feet long by about 12 feet wide with a depth of some 18 inches in the center: this was all completed and ready for the plants at the time for putting them out in the following spring.

In this little pool we planted four clumps of Nymphaeas, the same of Nelumbiums and a dozen or so of other small growing aquatics, possibly enough to plant a pond of .an acre or more in area; however, the plants most all prospered and did well, notwithstanding they were planted in the natural bottom without any special preparation of soil. Satisfied with our success the first season, we had by the next season enlarged our pond to about double the size and in which we planted more and included some Papyrus and Thalias around the edges, all of which added to the beauty of the spot as well as to my enthusiasm and a desire to further enlarge.

Finding our effort so much appreciated and the place so much admired, we determined to set about making a real pond. To do this it was found that we did not have enough water for the area we proposed to encompass in the pond, so we turned another stream into it, which added to what we already had, gave us then only a small supply, but has proved sufficient for our needs.

Our pond now covers only about half an acre is divided into two apartments, one for tender and the other for hardy plants. We then made a good preparation composed of one half old rotten cow manure, the other good virgin soil. Our apartment for the tender lilies lay directly over a brick sewer five feet in diameter, by reason of which we found the pond to be leaking freely; so to overcome the loss of water, we had to cement the bottom; after putting the soil into these two places we planted our lilies and with excellent results. Dotted here and there in the other or larger part of the pond we placed boxes without, bottoms two and a half feet square (to prevent the plants spreading too much) into which we planted our hardy ones. Of course it is best not to plant your pond too full; you need to have a considerable amount of the surface of the water without growth if you wish to make the best appearance.

We germinate and grow our own Victoria Regia (Trickerii variety) and plant them in the places mentioned above and I do not think they can be beat in the same climate unless they are in an artificially heated pond! At this writing, Sept. 1st, one of our plants has nine leaves measuring from four to five feet in diameter, with a blossom about twelve inches across. Let me say here, that I think it is a mistaken idea, that the Victorias require such an immense body of soil to get the size to the plants, for we have had them not so good in the larger space and besides have had them to die when too much soil was given them.

Among our collection I name some which are our special favorites, but will refrain from a description of them as they are all well described in the catalogues of those who sell them. Tender Nymphaeas: Rubra rosea, O'Marana, Zanzibarensis, Gracillis, Capensis, Kewensis, Wm. Stone, Dentata & Jubilee. Unfortunately by re-handling our hardies we have lost many of the labels, but we are partial to Marliacea Chrornatella & Rosea, Odorata, Exquisita, Gigantea and Sulphuria.  We have grown the Nelumbiums in all their glory, N. Speciosum with their supremely grand flowers of a deep rose-pink measuring about one foot in diameter, but they were too much for us; they spread so that they would have soon monopolized the entire pond, so we had to get rid of them, much to our regret. We have also discarded most of the smaller aquatics, such as Hyacinths, Lettuce; Poppies, etc., but we still retain the Parrot's Feathers, as we think it affords a shelter for the young fish and saves them from being devoured by the game fish which we also have there.

I trust I may be pardoned if I have seemed over zealous on this subject but I am sure that no set flower bed or clump of shrubbery that can be planted will receive as much admiration and praise as a well stocked lily pond.
 
From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 19th Annual Convention
Held at Washington, DC
September 19, 20, 21 and 22, 1905

I will talk to you this afternoon in a wholly informal way and have made no attempt at preparation, but simply want to tell you in a few words something of the work that the Department of Agriculture is doing, and something of the work of the Bureau of Plant Industry, the bureau over which I have the high honor to preside, in its direct application to your own work.

As to the work of the department proper, I will say that we have under way many kinds of investigations, some of which are in very direct relation to your work. Briefly; we are spending in the aggregate about $6,000,000 a year in investigation. These investigations cover practically everything from the weather to the insects that destroy trees and plants and the insects that affect people. The Department of Agriculture was organized about forty years ago and in earlier days was a branch of the Patent Office. In the earlier days most of its work was in the distribution of seed, mainly Congressional seed. The department proper, fifteen years later, was made into a coordinate branch of the general Government. In 1888 it was made still higher and the Commissioner of Agriculture was made Secretary. The first Secretary was the Hon. J. M. Rusk. Since the organization of the Department in the form of a cabinet position, it has grown very rapidly, especially so during Secretary Wilson's incumbency, which has lasted eight years and is going on into the third term; something which has never happened before.

The Weather Bureau is concerned, as you probably know, with meteorological affairs and the weather. Some of the matters of the Weather Bureau are of interest to you more or less, but it is hardly necessary to dwell upon them here.

Animal Industry is another branch.

The Bureau of Forestry, which has been very greatly developed during the last six years, is another department. This bureau is doing work which some of you may be interested in, mainly in investigations relating to temperate zone forestry.

The purely horticultural work comes under the Bureau of Plant Industry, which I have the honor to represent.

Besides these we have the Bureau of Entomology, of which Dr. Howard has charge. This has relation to insects.

Dr. Howard this past summer has been working with a view to finding a parasite to turn loose in connection with the foot and mouth investigation in the New England States.

The Bureau of Soils studies the soils; the physical parts of the soils; the relation of fertilization to plant growth, etc. These are the principal branches of the Department of Agriculture.

Taking up the work of the Bureau of Plant Industry proper, I will say that we cover a great many fields. We have something like a million dollars which we devote to investigation work and perhaps twenty-five percent of that is devoted almost exclusively to horticultural investigation. Coming within the scope of the Bureau is the Congressional seed distribution. That is a part of our work and as the Secretary sometimes puts it, one of our chores. I will tell you more about that later.

Now with reference to some lines of investigation that may be of interest to you, I will say that for the last six or eight years we have been making a special effort in regard to importing new plants, which will be of value. We ate looking for new trees, new grains, new shrubs and new plants of all kinds. A man has gone into China for the purpose of securing if possible new shrubs and trees. There are possibilities of production in this line which we have not grasped, especially in that part of the country. These men will go up into the mountains around Pekin and other sections of the country, where we expect to find many new varieties which can be brought into this country. We have also men in certain parts of temperate Africa and Japan. All these men are engaged in these investigations. They are all looking out constantly for new crops, new plants, suitable for lawn making. We have a number of such things which, of course, are of interest to the majority of you gentlemen and to those of you who are from the extreme West I will say that we are looking for crops which will make a covering for the ground and for trees which will be suitable.

Passing to another line of work, I will call your attention to the investigations we are making in studying the diseases of plants. These investigations have been carried on for years. We have devoted a great deal of attention to the study of the diseases of trees. We have in St. Louis a laboratory which is devoting its entire time and attention to the diseases of timbers, primarily forest trees, but also cultivated trees such as are found in our lawns, parks and grounds. We have published bulletins on these subjects and have issued several bulletins on tree diseases. Many of these tree diseases are produced by parasitic fungi-small organisms which attack trees mainly through imperfect methods of pruning trees and some of these things you are doubtless, familiar with. These mushrooms that grow out of these wounds and we are making efforts to find methods of prevention by better attention to pruning and in other directions. Some of the most serious diseases the trees have are not produced by things of this kind. These disturbances are often very puzzling and sometimes require constant study to discover the real cause. I was struck in coming down, here to see about two blocks south of here where there is a beautiful row of oaks. It is now one of the most beautiful avenues in the city. It was put out twenty years ago. I saw two of these which were dying. I saw that there had been some disturbance on the streets and I suppose the gas pipes are leaking. Such causes are always arising. Also difficulties arise from malnutrition, improper feeding of trees.  In all of our public parks we have had for a series of years trees becoming more or less starved, manifested by the branches dying back from the tips, which is an evidence, of improper food. The question of proper feeding of trees is very important and very, little is known about it and that is an investigation we are now carrying on, what is the proper feeding where the natural droppings must be taken away every year for the purpose of giving the proper appearance to the cemeteries and parks.

Passing from this subject you will find many wounds that have been produced by mutilation. Unfortunately it is not always possible to handle trees by the right men. Men are sent out who are not familiar with the best methods and they slash and cut and wound the trees in a way that is barbarous. These wounds are the very best medium for the ingress of these microscopic fungi.

Another line of work we are interested in that will interest you is the best method of handling lawn making. Lawn making, as everyone knows, there is a vast deal of difference of opinion about. What we need here would not be applicable to other parts of the country. We have had all sorts of experiences. We have under way a series of feeding experiments of lawns with a view of finding some method of keeping up the grass supply without a great expense and without the disfigurement that is sometimes necessary where it has become necessary to use stable manure. One of our chief reliances of course in this direction is well ground bone meal and here we depend on lime. We use it once in five or six years. It is wonderful what .an effect it has on clover. If we get a mixture of white clover we can keep up the lawn for years without reseeding. Our chief enemy is crab grass and it is in all parts of the country. Our gardeners ate absolutely convinced that we set out this crab grass. Wherever they throw the hose on there is at once developed a luxuriant growth of crab grass. It is not the seed in the water that does the work, but rather watering at certain times of the day. One of our men a few years ago took the hose and put his initials in the grass by mere watering. In four weeks you could see the initials plainly standing out in the crab grass. So to overcome this we water at night. We simply put a man on and keep the water going all night and we now have no difficulty with crab grass.

These are some of the principal points. Another line of investigation that may be of interest to you is the work we are carrying on, on our own grounds with a view of calling the attention of people who come here to simple methods of home ornamentation: We do not attempt to go into anything elaborate, but only to follow the simple, natural system with our hardy perennials and simple groups of shrubs so that people coming through the grounds can see for themselves the opportunities of producing such effects for home ornamentation. We have all of our trees labeled and also all of our shrubs. That is a matter that has given us constant thought and we have finally devised a label that is suitable. It is very difficult to keep from having them carried away as souvenirs. People think they are perfectly justified in taking them away. We have tried all sorts of schemes. Now we have them screwed on the trees, so that they can only be taken off by a screw driver. We tried labeling them in the green house with small zinc labels and they were nearly all taken off as souvenirs. Now we use the common wooden label with the name put on in pencil so that if they take them away we put on another.

As to the grouping of plants the grounds were laid out about thirty-five years ago and the plants there are put in botanical groups. We have probably one of the finest collections of lindens, one of the finest collections of magnolias and at one time we had one of the finest collections of English yews.

Passing through another line of work, which I have been very much interested in. It is a line of work which means the encouragement of home ornamentation in all parts of the country. The school children have been much interested in school garden work. Three or four years ago we made an arrangement with the normal schools of which there are two to take all the teachers and give them special instruction on the agricultural grounds as to horticulture and now these young women come down every year and learn the grafting of trees and shrubs and everything of the sort and these young women put their experience into actual operation by designing plans for the city and then with the help of the children they ornament these grounds. The plants are propagated by the girls themselves. The last two or three years we have had these young women gathering seeds throughout the city. These seeds are valuable for another reason than the fact that they are from valuable types. These young women have gathered quite a number of seeds from Arlington and the Capitol grounds and Mount Vernon and we have given them two or three acres of land down on the flats--very rich ground which has been made by filling up from the sedimentation of the river--and from that seed we are raising trees and are sending them out throughout the country so as to inaugurate not only a love of tree planting but each tree has some sentimental value aside from its other value.

The school garden work has progressed now so that it is reaching out into other cities; Baltimore and Philadelphia are doing a great deal in this direction, especially Philadelphia.

In addition to the work in tree planting, we are inaugurating the love of horticulture, the love of home ornamentation, by sending out every year to the school children many thousand packages of seed. This is where the Congressional distribution has been turned to good account. The city representatives are encouraged to take these special kinds of seed for school ornamentations. We have distributed in the past five years probably ten million packages of these seed.

I think I have gone over this work so far as it relates to horticulture perhaps and so far as it relates to the lines in which you are more or less interested.

Our grounds here are at your disposal. We hope you will come over there. We have a number of greenhouses in which we are conducting many lines of investigation. You will find two which are devoted to plant diseases.
 
At the Arlington farm, which is located just below Arlington Cemetery, which you will visit before you leave, we have five hundred acres devoted to various lines of work. There is a great deal of horticultural work going on there. We have lines of work which are being conducted looking to the prevention of diseases from insects to plants and trees. We have made investigations in the methods of spraying which I need not call attention to as many bulletins have been issued on this subject. We are conducting investigations every year on the treating of plants by the application of germicides and insecticides.

I do not know as I can add anything.  As I indicated in the beginning, my remarks are entirely informal. I simply want to close by extending a hearty invitation for you to come and see us and if I am not there some of our people will be and will be glad to show you all there     is to see.
 
From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 19th Annual Convention
Held at Washington, DC
September 19, 20, 21 and 22, 1905

That herbaceous plants deserve all the attention which they receive now by the best landscapers, when laying out new grounds or when called upon to alter, improve or partially replant and renovate older establishments, may not be generally admitted, still the fact remains that there are advantages in hardy plants and it is a fact that in late years thousands of these plants are employed, where twenty or thirty years ago only a few dozen were used-it is not a passing fashion for the demand is constantly growing; showing that with each year they gain in popularity and that their merits are more and more appreciated.

It cannot be denied that, with few exceptions, the employment of perennials has given entire satisfaction-failures usually can be traced to errors and mistakes in selecting the right things for the right place. A plant which requires a moist soil or partial shade was perhaps planted in a dry position or exposed to the full scorching sun or vice versa.

The very best results can only be obtained when we are thoroughly familiar with all the requirements of the various species, with their growth, habit, height, flowering time and all other peculiarities, though very often we meet with fair success even under adverse circumstances and surroundings, showing that many of the plants are not at all fastidious as to soil and treatment.

The great majority of perennials are very accommodating and flourish under ordinary care in ordinary soil, but to grow them to perfection, we should know and study their special requirements-it will not take long to learn (one or two experiments will teach the inexperienced, if he is observing); he will know where and how to use different plants in different ways to best advantage.

A simple shrubbery, for instance, planted to screen a wall, a fence or a building may answer its purpose, but the general appearance would certainly be greatly improved if the front, recesses or spaces of such border were adorned with scattered clumps or colonies of suitable perennials, selected especially to produce color effect during the months when the shrubs are a somber green.

I do not want to be understood as advocating the profuse introduction of perennials in every possible place in a cemetery, thus creating a flower garden effect, but the shrubbery border should not be without its attraction in the shape of flowers or foliage at any time during the growing season and our hardy plants are certainly preferable to our so called bedding stuff for this purpose.

Late summer or autumn flowering plants should form the bulk of perennials in such a mixed border things that bloom from August to November, such as Gaillardias, Anemones in various shades or colors the late Aconitums as A. japonicum and A. autumnale, the Boltonias, the broad-headed, brilliant-purple Vernonias, a selection of late flowering Asters, the deserving Rudbeckia speciosa and R. purpurea, etc.

I do not want to tire you with long lists of plant names suitable for intermixing with shrubs; you can find them in catalogues height, habit, flowering time and cultural directions are generally given in these plant lists and there is an almost endless variety to select from. Neither have I any new suggestion to offer on the subject, merely would caution you against overcrowding. This is a common and widespread mistake; neither shrubs nor perennials are benefited by planting too close; in fact, individual plants as well as patches of them should not be allowed to grow or spread at will, after the first year, trimming of shoots should be practiced among all the taller robust growing perennials such as Phloxes, Heliopsis, Asters; the taller Campanulas and the like, the remaining shoots will then develop stronger growth, get stouter and the flower heads will be larger and more perfect; all weak growths and superfluous shoots should be removed before they make much headway; it pays to do it though it may look as if we were destroying promising young growth and a wealth of bloom.

Again, under high trees, on steep banks we have another problem to combat. Grass rarely does well there, although in early spring, when the earth is yet saturated with moisture, the turf may, for a while, present a promising appearance. A few weeks of dry weather will make it look brown and dried up, in spots, at least, for the remainder of the season. Such spots are an eyesore and a source of great annoyance in an otherwise well kept place. During a dry spell, any time in summer or fall, we may mark these burned up spots later on to be planted with perennials of various descriptions, which succeed in dry situations.

If we merely want the green on the bank, we can plant a lot of Pyrethrum Tschihatchewi in place of trying to grow grass there. The Pyrethrum does not need mowing at any time and readily forms a dense close - carpet over the driest bank. Close planting is not necessary--small bits, barely rooted, set eight or ten inches apart, in early spring, will have covered the ground completely by June 1st and it will remain green for the rest of the season and every year thereafter. The profuse spring flowering white Arabis alpina would also cover such spots in a short time, or the various Phloxes of the sublata section or the beautiful P. reptans may be substituted and if not too shady, Dianthus caesius, or D. arenarius, petreus, neglectus, deltoides and their allies would flourish and bloom there in their season. The Cerastiums, Alyssum serpyllifolium, Aubretia deltoidea in variety, Genista sagitallis, Cordyalis lutea, Erisymums, Helianthernums, Iberis, Lotus corniculatus, etc., would answer the same purpose.

Should it be desirable to introduce a few taller plants, we may employ some Erodiums, macradenum or manescavii, Genista tinctoria, Cassia marylandica Cityssus, Orobus, the rambling Coronilla varia; in fact any of the Leguminosae will answer to do away with these objectionable spots permanently.

Coronilla varia is especially to be recommended for rambling over dry banks; it blooms early and late, grows luxuriantly on very little nourishment in dry situations and does not require replanting.

Asclepias tuberosa, Vesicaria articulata, Cheiranthus alpinus, Stachys lanata, Antennaria tomentosa and margaritacea, Plumbago larpentae (Ceratostigrna plumbaginoides is perhaps a more correct name for it), Aquilegias of several varieties, Campanula rotundifola, Inula hirta, Stellaria holostea and Sedums in variety can be depended upon to do well in very dry situations and in barren soils without special preparation or care.

Early fall planting is advisable for all herbaceous plants, with few exceptions, especially those which have soft fleshy rootstocks. They are liable to decay in winter if their more or less mutilated roots are not healed over and firmly established in their new quarters before frost sets in.

Ordinarily, plants set out in September will have ample time to form new roots and take a good hold in the ground before hard frost stops all growth.

Fall plantings usually start more vigorous and bloom abundantly the first season after planting, though spring plantings may, under judicious treatment and with a little extra care, do equally well.

All fall plantings should, for the first winter, be protected by a light covering of some loose material to prevent lifting or heaving out.

In autumn, we can spend more time and labor on the proper preparation of beds or borders in spring we would be, as usual, too busy with so many other things which call for our immediate attention. We are in a hurry every day and are apt to postpone planting, until plants are too far advanced.

All hardy plants, with but few exceptions, start into growth as the snow disappears and if not taken up before they make much headway are liable to suffer seriously by disturbing them, after roots and foliage are in full action.

Plants should be as near dormant as we possibly can get them for transplanting and if you cannot get ready to do all your planting in the fall of the year, prepare, at least, the ground to receive them and make up your mind that the first thing to be done in spring is the planting of the hardy things--the sooner they are in the ground the better for them, especially if we should have a warm, dry and sunny spring like our last one in this vicinity.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 17th Annual Convention
Held at Rochester, NY
September 8, 9 and 10, 1903

In the popular mind evergreens are usually associated with pines, spruces, firs and the like. In this brief paper we will call attention to some hardy ornamental evergreens other than the coniferous forms.

There is undoubtedly a particular value in any shrub or tree that will maintain a good normal green appearance in its leaves throughout the entire year in this latitude. The British Islands and some parts of Continental Europe, on account of the cool moist atmosphere that prevails, are admirably adapted to the cultivation and high development of many beautiful "flowering evergreens" that we cannot think of cultivating throughout the northeastern United States. We are, however, more than compensated by the abundant wealth of many deciduous trees and shrubs, which on account of our hot, almost tropical summers, abundant rainfall and cold winters which give a long period of rest, attain to a much greater floral perfection here than, they do in Europe. It may seem strange, however, that although numerous parts of the North American continent are the homes of many beautiful evergreens, that their successful cultivation is frequently attended with much difficulty under ornamental conditions. We will first consider the coniferous evergreens. Their cheerfulness throughout the dull winter months and the handsome comely forms of many of them, so strikingly apparent in the summer time, particularly in their youthful days and their general desirability at all times of the year, commend them to all planters wherever conditions are known to be favorable for their healthy growth and development, in parks, cemeteries and private grounds. They do not impoverish the soil around them nearly to the same extent as deciduous trees, their leaves are not troublesome in creating litter and they rarely are injured by violent storms. They can easily be restricted in growth and area if so desired, without much trouble, by disbudding and pinching, and this can be done so intelligently that the means employed to accomplish this end can hardly be detected.

Rochester being such a prominent nursery center for a great many years, coniferous evergreens among other things, have been more or less largely cultivated, handled and sold. The well known firm of Ellwanger & Barry during their long career have tested a large number of different kinds, from an experimental point of view and obtained much valuable information as to the most satisfactory species and varieties for planting in conditions of soil, temperature and moisture that obtain elsewhere similar to Rochester. For example, on the south side of their vineyard on Highland Ave. the Nordman and Cephalonian firs, over fifty feet in height and Lawson's Cypress nearly forty feet, are in good health, and planted nearly fifty years since, are among some of the important evergreens to be seen in their grounds.

Highland Park, which forms a part of the park system of the city of Rochester, contains an extensive pinetum covering an area of 20 acres. The soil is a very light sandy loam, on porous, gravelly subsoil. The nucleus of this collection was planted in the spring of 1896 and numerous accessions have been made since. No particular plan of planting in generic sequence has been adopted. The more rare and known tender kinds are planted in different situations and exposures to find out what suits them best. As every experienced planter knows, some evergreens are exceedingly capricious and what might strike a planter as an ideal "spot" for these particular subjects may subsequently show by their behavior to be unfitted for them, so we have adopted the plan of not having all our "eggs in one basket." Some species of doubtful hardiness such as Pinus Sabiniana, Libocedrus decurrens, Cedrus Deodara and C. Libanii have been under trial since 1898 and so far have behaved splendidly, but we cannot tell how soon a severe winter may occur and injure them severely. Pinus insignis, P. Pinea and Cupressus MacNabiana have been winter, killed.

The soil best adapted for almost all coniferous evergreens is a light sandy loam with good porous subsoil, which must be naturally or artificially well drained. It must not of course be understood that we recommend a poor soil, but whilst it should be light in texture, it should be rich enough to grow good wheat or potatoes. The best season for planting coniferous evergreens is a much discussed question. I have planted them at all seasons of the year, except when in full growth, with more or less success. In the months of August and September is a good time for planting, providing the ground has been well saturated with rains. I think on the whole I have had the best results by spring planting, just about the time when the buds begin to perceptibly swell. It is needless to say before a body of practical men such as we have here, that coniferous evergreens are much less tenacious of life than deciduous trees, and therefore the most scrupulous care should invariably be exercised in planting or transplanting to preserve the roots from exposure to the air. This gospel has been preached time and again, and no heterodox heresy will ever affect its validity. The different pines, spruces and firs perhaps show their greatest beauty in their youthful days. I mean by that before they attain anything like maturity. Therefore the preservation and retaining of the lower branches should be encouraged by all possible cultural means, This can be aided by an occasional stopping of the leader by cutting back to a bud in firs and spruces and allowing it only so much growth in a season, and disbudding the points of branches in May and June that extend too far beyond the general pyramidal outline. Under conditions where a highly gardenesque effect is desired the most dense pyramidal outlines can be produced in many firs and spruces by systematic judicious disbudding, and still look wonderfully naturalistic. It must be clearly understood that I do not here in any way allude to the topiary art of shearing or trimming with shears into any form whatever, for unless for hedge purposes, that is something to be despised.

In the Highland Park Pinetum very little disbudding has been done, as it is desirable in a collection of this kind to leave them as much as possible to natural development. The main attention has been given towards the preservation of the leaders and occasionally central buds have been repressed in branches of pines, spruces and firs where they extend too far.

Mulching is excellent treatment for young evergreens where it is practicable and I have elsewhere seen splendid results from it. With us this is impracticable, but we do the next best thing. The soil is kept thoroughly cultivated and stirred from eighteen inches to two feet from the extremities of the branches and this also saves them from possible damage from fires, which are sometimes liable to occur in the dry grass in early spring. Among the various insect pests that attack evergreens the two worst with us are Red Spider, and the Pine-Tree Blight, Eriosoma strobi. The red spider in a dry season will attack some of the spruces so badly as to seriously disfigure them. With an abundant supply of water under pressure applied frequently, Red Spider can be controlled, but that is seldom under command. The Pine-Tree Blight has a particular liking for the white pine and will cover the branches thickly, producing a white, downy like appearance.

It can be destroyed by any of the soap insecticides. Sometimes the white pine when apparently in the best of health and vigor will die with what seems like mysterious suddenness. This usually occurs, however, when it has been planted in a heavy, damp soil and is making a rank growth. In a light, well drained soil the causes that produce this sudden demise are rarely operative.

Among the different species of pines that are the most useful for ornamental and decorative planting, the white pine undoubtedly comes first. Our native red pine is excellent. The Bhotan, Corean, Thunbergs, Swiss Stone, densiflora and ponderosa pines we believe can be depended upon in sheltered situations. The dwarf Mugho pine and the variety known as rotundata are extremely useful and serviceable in many situations. The Austrian and Scotch pines are not generally long lived but they grow easily, are very accommodating, and we confess to having a tender regard for them.

The spruces are very attractive and among some of the best are our native white spruce and its blue form. The Oriental, Engelmans’, Douglas', Alcock's and of course the popular blue spruce, are all excellent. A spruce introduced fifteen or twenty years since from Southeast Europe, Picea Omorika, has great promise.

Our native hemlock spruce and its weeping form are indispensable, but although a native, do not plant it in bleak, cold situations or it will look forlorn. The Carolina and Patton's hemlock spruces are very promising. Albert's hemlock spruce from British Columbia and the Japanese species do not look very happy with us so far. Among the firs I have no hesitation in placing Abies con color from Colorado as one of the most decorative in these parts. Nordman's, Cephalonian (the latter will sometimes get scorched in a young stale by the winter's suns but it will soon outgrow it) and the Japanese brachyphylla and Veitch's firs, will, if planted in sheltered spots, be satisfactory. The balsam fir in Western New York looks wretched after fifteen or twenty years. The numerous forms of the native Arbor Vitae such as Hovey's, Siberian, compacta, Vervaeneana, Tom Thumb, globosa and minima, with their prim and stiff forms are useful in many situations.

The two best yews are the Japanese and the Canadian. The English Yew, with its numerous forms, is liable to get badly scorched in a severe winter.

The Nootka Sound Cypress, Cupressus Nutkaensis, appears to do well with us and is very ornamental. The Japanese Retinosporas are very unsatisfactory in Western New York

In the junipers we have some excellent evergreens. The red cedar or Virginia juniper is one of the most virile and hardy evergreens in existence. It will grow and look happy in the poorest soils and bleak exposures, and we have some pretty forms of it such as venusta, elegantissima and the glaucous variety is exceedingly handsome. The Savin juniper and its varieties tamariscifolia and alpina can be used with excellent results on banks and slopes, and in connection with rocky formations. The carpet juniper J. prost rata, and the Himalayan species J. squamata are perfectly hardy, and also excellently adapted for draping slopes and rocky banks.

The common juniper, J. communis, in its procumbent forms is very useful. The so called Irish juniper with us is useless, but the Swedish form we believe can be depended upon and the Japanese and Chinese junipers appear to be satisfactory.

In flowering and other evergreens that can be depended upon to be satisfactory in Western New York the list is small. Among the "flowering" evergreens no plants can compare to the chaste beauty of the Rhododendrons wherever they prove to be happy and healthy. In Western New York the cultivation of Rhododendrons cannot be said to have been successful, but this is more due to soil conditions than anything else. The soil is mainly limestone and it is well known that they will not thrive in soil containing lime. In limestone soil they will make a fairly good growth, but they seem to lack the necessary vigor to pass through the winter, as even when protected closely, they look unhappy when spring comes. Their cultivation, however, in Highland Park in excavated beds filled with humus or soil of a peaty nature has so far given excellent results. They grow freely, flower abundantly, pass through the winter without any scorching, and they are not coddled by close protection, other than that afforded naturally from the prevailing winds, and from the direct rays of the late winter's sun.

What is known as the Hunnewell list, which contains about twenty-five varieties, with Catawbiense blood, are all that can be used here.

The mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia an excellent shrub, should always be used wherever it can be coaxed to grow but it will not thrive in lime. The narrow leafed form K. angustifolia is useful and the early flowering hardy species K. glauca is pretty in early spring.

Leucothoe Cateslxei, with its beautiful glossy leaves, is excellent for planting in quantity in sheltered situations.

Among the Andromedas, A. floribunda and the common A. polifolia are very satisfactory. The latter used in large quantities around the margins of ponds and lakes can be easily made to produce denser effects than it does in its native sphagnum bogs.

The native leather leaf, Cassandra calyculata can be coaxed to grow without much trouble, but it is not very decorative. The pretty little Labrador-Tea is difficult to handle. The Barberry, Arctostaphylos, when seen covering the ground with a dense carpet of green in a wild state in parts of Long Island and about the Atlantic Coast, is very attractive, but in our experience it takes unkindly to cultivation, and it is moreover hard to propagate.

Among the heaths Erica carnea, E. vagans and the Scotch heather in several forms, take kindly to cultivation and form real pretty clumps. The evergreen Euouymuses are very useful farther south, but the climbing radicans form is the only one of any account here. In the evergreen barberries aquifolium, fasicularis and the low growing repens are perfectly hardy, but they need to have natural protection from the late winter sunshine or they will get badly scorched. These evergreen barberries are very ornamental and cheerful in the winter months.

This is about the northern limit of the American holly Ilex opaca and it needs good natural shelter to look at all pleasing. The beautiful crenate holly from Japan grows slowly with us, but it is healthy enough and may form good bushes some day. The gorse or whin from Europe is useless.

Daphne cneornm under sheltered conditions forms a real pretty clump and the dwarf little sun rose, Helianthemum vulgare, is perfectly hardy and forms dense masses.

There are some pretty and useful forms of the common box (Buxus) such as naviculatis, Handsworthi and microphylla, which are quite hardy under partial shade.

A recently introduced form of the laurel from the Balkan Mountains, said to be very hardy, has been under trial in the Ellwanger & Barry nursery for some years and is reported by them to be very satisfactory. As a broad-leaved evergreen this should be very important.

In conclusion, outside the coniferous evergreens the number of flowering and other evergreens suitable for planting in ornamental grounds in this latitude is really not large and not sufficiently extensive, or of that nature so as to produce any marked or broad effect on our landscapes in this climate.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 17th Annual Convention
Held at Rochester, NY
September 8, 9 and 10, 1903

I came to tell you a little bit about the tree as a living thing. Probably most folks do not realize that the tree is a living, breathing organism. We know it in a sort of an abstract sense, and yet we are not likely to be actively conscious of the fact that it is a living, breathing organism. As a matter of fact the tree is just as much alive as a man. It not only breaths, but it has a circulation, it digests its food, it has sex processes.

The tree breathes largely through its leaves and I hope sometime all of you may take occasion to examine the leaf of a tree under a microscope. On the upper side you will see a myriad of cells or little openings into which the air penetrates just as truly as it does into the human lungs. In those cells the air is separated into its parts, the carbon dioxide is extracted from the air and is used as a part of the food material of the tree, or the plant. As a matter or fact the tree is just a big plant taken by and large and the oxygen is thrown off for the benefit of man and all animal life. The process is opposite from that in our bodies. There is no bellows in the breathing process in the leaf, but the breathing is just as real and just as vital as in our bodies, and it continues as long as the leaves are green.

There is also a complete circulation in the tree. Of course it doesn't move around and around rapidly in response to heart action, and yet it does run the complete course from the little hair roots down in the ground up to the leaves and back again.

Just imagine you are looking at a cross section of a tree, that is the same as the top of a stump, and of course in these days when it is a popular pastime to cut trees down, you can find stumps anywhere. Imagine you are looking at the top of a stump. In the center you see the pit that was there from the time it was a baby, around that is a layer of wood which represents the first year's growth. Around that is a second layer of wood which represents the second year's growth. Around that is a third layer of wood which represents the third year's growth, and so on to the bark.

In the beginning when the tree was young and small the central cells were not only structural supports as they are all the time but they were active sap carrying tissue. The cells of a tree overlap each other and they are hollow. In the beginning when they are young there is an opening from one cell to another. So, when the tree was young and smart these central cells were active sap carrying tissue and it was through them that the sap moved upward. But as the, tree grew in size the central cells became more fined up with mineral elements and therefore more dormant, so, as you go outward toward the bark you find the lust few outside layers of wood, the active sap carrying tissue in those largely. The sap travels upward from the roots to the leaves, imagine, if you will, that you had the power to take from the ground a tree and wash the dirt away from the roots.

If you uprooted a tree and washed the dirt away you would see a magnificent structure, a wonderful top balanced by an equally large and magnificent root system. If the top is 50 feet across, the root area is also approximately fifty feet, and at the end of that root system largely are the little hair roots that take up the food in liquid form, send it up through the sap wood of the trunk, out to the leaves, where it undergoes a marvelous change, it is transformed, and then it comes back in the inner cells of the bark, in its digested form, depositing itself all the way down until finally some of it reaches the same little roots from whence it came—so you have a complete circulation that is active as long as the leaves are green.

May I suggest that in order to have that circulation you must have leaves, because they are the vital connecting link, and that is why I suppose God Almighty put the leaves on trees. It is one of the reasons, anyway, and it is why there is such a terrible crime in chopping the tops of trees off, that I will refer to later.

The digestion which occurs in the leaf is one of the most interesting things that happens in all the realms of life. I shall make bold to say that the leaf, speaking broadly, is the most important thing in the world. Of course I expect you to challenge that because it is a ridiculous thing to say that anyone thing is more important than anything else, and yet if you will bear with me I think I can make my case.

In order to illustrate what I have in mind I want to relate a story that I read in the New York Times in 1921. You will remember then that the great famine was sweeping over Russia. They were starving to death literally by the hundreds of thousands. The situation was so bad that some of the big city newspapers sent their special correspondents to Russia to inquire into the situation and report by daily letter. In one of these stories I read this incident: the correspondent told how one day they came upon a house where a little child was sick on a couch, covered with a quilt, and it looked as though there were a pillow under the quilt. Its eyes were still and glassy, staring straight upward, it was all but dead. The correspondent looked at the child and looked at the mother and she divining his purpose pulled back the quilt and disclosed a horrible, misshapen body, its little stomach was horribly distended, very much like a kewpie, its arms and legs were emaciated, it was just about breathing its last.

And then she told what had happened. She said hunger had driven them so far that they had fed this child blue clay, the clay stuck to the teeth and the walls of the stomach and would for the time being stay the pangs of hunger, but there was no power in the human system to throw it off, so it lay there. Finally the worms started to work and the end was near.

I tell that story realizing that there is in it a touch of horror because it illustrates and emphasizes a profound truth, there are only two minerals that man can take into his system and assimilate—water and salt, and those only in limited quantities. Everything else we eat and almost everything we wear comes to us through the leaves of vegetation. It is the leaf, speaking of vegetation generally, that takes the dead mineral elements from the soil and transforms them into living cells. The leaf is the one and only connecting link between the organic world and the inorganic world, meaning the world of living cells on the one hand and the world of dead mineral plants on the other. The leaf is the only thing that has the power to transform dead matter into living matter, and therefore it is the foundation of all life. No life could exist upon this earth if it were not for that vital function performed by leaves, and that is why I say the leaf is the most important thing in the world.

The tree has sex processes also that are just as real and just as beautiful as in any other form of life. The male and female exist as positive factors. Sometimes you find the male and female in the same flowers, at other times in different flowers on the same tree, and sometimes the flowers of a tree are all male or all female, the pollen is created in the male parts and is carried partly by the wind and partly by insects to the female organs where conception takes place and the continuity of life is made possible.

Perhaps you have noticed in the early spring that a tree of a certain kind may come into flower earlier than another tree of the same variety. That which comes into flower earlier is the male, to be ready for its mate.

In all of these elemental facts the tree is just as much alive as man himself and it presents an exceedingly interesting thing for one who is willing to think, to observe, to learn.

I wish that it might be possible for people generally to see more into the great world of living things all about us. So often it happens that people go through the world and see almost nothing of the world in which they live. I think perhaps the most beautiful tribute to a tree that I ever heard was told by the President of the Elyria Ohio Rotary Club when I went down there several years ago to give this little talk on trees. In introducing me he related this experience from his own life.

He said, "I have the most wonderful tree in the world at my house. Some fifteen years ago I had a little boy who was then three years of age. In the early fall he would go out to gather up the buckeyes, sometimes by pockets full and sometimes by baskets full, and bring them in and play with them. One day he took sick; the next day he was better. He went out as usual. This time he brought in just one large fine buckeye and played with it, and the next day he died.

"I took that large fine buckeye and carried it with me all the long winter. I would take it out every little while and look at it and was reminded of him. Then, when the spring came, I went out and planted it down under his sand pile. Later the sand pile was taken away, the buckeye sprouted and came up a healthy little plant. I built a fence around it and told the boys of the neighborhood that they might break anything, anything I had, the windows of my house or anything but please not to break this tree. They have respected my request and it stands there today, fifteen years old, the most wonderful tree in the world."

I thought as I listened to that story, that there was in this little tree not alone a monument to a little boy who died, but also a monument to a father's love. I wish that it might be possible for people to see something more in trees than just an accident, because as a matter of fact God Almighty put the trees here to help adorn the world.

I have sometimes wondered what this world would be if we could remove from it all of the really fine things, if we could remove music, literature, art and religion and the beauty of the great outdoors—that great unmatched beauty of the world of living things. I have wondered what this world of ours would be.

Have you ever thought of the immense importance of foliage? To the beauty of the world; to its livableness? Just remember, after the leaves have gone, this fall, when there is no blanket of white snow to cover the earth—then again in the early spring when the snow has gone, or is dirty. Look out across the landscape and see how ugly and barren it is. Then notice as the leaves come out and the grass comes forth, what a wonderful change there is with this color of green, this blanket of green that God put here to cover up the ugliness of a naked world.

That is why it seems to me that we are likely to under estimate or perhaps neglect to think about the importance of trees to the world way beyond the question of their practical utility. It seems to me that God must have known his business when he caused trees to grow upon this earth.

You know there is one thing that does arouse me tremendously and that is to see the terrible butchery of trees. Almost everywhere I go I see this slaughter, very largely by the telephone and electric light companies—sometimes by, well, I will call them "tree-quacks", sometimes by well-meaning but ignorant tree owners who permit it. God intended that the tops should be on the trees. I am not saying that there is never a time when trees should not be cut back because sometimes it is necessary, if it is done right, but as a general proposition I think it is the most inexcusable thing that any man can be guilty of, to slaughter the trees as they grow.

This is what happens: you cut the top of a tree off and you immediately destroy its circulation, and then naturally in her desperation she forces out the latent buds along the side of the stump, and presently you have a new and rather vigorous growth of new shoots, and that is what deceives a lot or people. They overlook the fact that the stump sticking up there is a constant invitation to disease.

Science has demonstrated diseases in trees as it has in other forms of life. In trees it is called fungi, a parasite by nature; it lives by tearing down some other form of life.

Now, wherever you see a decaying tree there is disease working and in a certain time of the year it throws out to the surface of the bark what they call fruiting bodies. You have seen them on the outside of trees; they look more or less like toadstools. Those fruiting bodies give off a myriad of microscopic spores that float through the air and most of them fall to the ground harmless, but some of those spores find lodgment in an open wound. It doesn't make any difference what causes the wound, it may be lightening or it may be a lawnmower in the hands of some careless man, anything that breaks the bark causes a wound and in to that wound some of these spores find their way and they start to grow, to send out their little threadlike tentacles, very much like cancer, and they travel up and down from one cell to another, eating, or consuming the cells. That is what they live on, and finally you have internal decay. What we call decay is merely the result of this active disease that is working on the inside. You cannot have anything worse than a horizontal wound in a tree. You look at that wound under a microscope and it is very much like a sponge because the cells are hollow and you cut right across them and there you have your sponge-like effect, a constant invitation for the spores of the fungi to find lodgment there and start to grow and just as sure as the sun rises and sets there will be a decay because there is no life in that stump, there cannot be any life without leaves, so, down to the point where the new growth starts the decay proceeds and goes constantly on and on into the wood of the tree and after a while you have nothing but a mere shell, and so this thing that deceives people, this vigorous new growth in the little branches that are forced out from the latent buds is a screen to hide the ravages of disease in the wound.

But even if it didn't cause the destruction of the trees through disease and decay I cannot imagine why anybody can see beauty in a tree that is beheaded. I wonder sometimes what has become of men's sense of beauty.

I heard a story from a member of Congress that interested me very much. I want to tell it to you now because I think it is more or less apropos to this band of tree butchers that we find in America.

I had related in one of my talks in the House this little story about the buckeye tree, and after I sat down a member of the House from Florida came over and sat down beside me and told me that he wanted to relate an experience that he had the preceding summer. Now this gentleman was an old, white haired man, one of the most portly gentlemen that I have ever met, a man perhaps in the late sixties with wonderful poise and self control. I have never seen him excited, and I have never seen him over enthuse. He related his little story somewhat like this, he said:
"When I was young and our first and only son was born my mother proposed that we plant a magnolia tree in the front yard in his honor. Being young and more or less irresponsible I laughed at the idea, but she persisted, so we planted a magnolia tree.

"The first time it bloomed was when he was graduated from high school; the next time it bloomed was when his sister was graduated. Then several years passed. The boy went away to war. In the war he contracted an incurable disease. He came back and lingered for a while, and finally passed away.

"Last summer they were going to widen the street in front of my house, and probably cut down that magnolia tree, so I went to see the city engineer. I said to him, Sir, I understand that you are going to widen the street in front of my house. He said, 'yes, that is the plan.' I said, 'Sir, I understand you plan to cut down the magnolia tree in my front yard.' He said, 'Well I am afraid we will have to.' 'Well, Sir, I came to tell you I shall shoot the man who cuts that tree.' He said, 'Do you mean it?' I said, 'Sir, I mean it. 'The man who cuts that tree I shall shoot and kill him.' 'Well,'     he said, 'it won't be cut. "

Sometimes I think that is about the kind of treatment that is necessary to stop this unending slaughter of America's trees. I see it everywhere I go, tens of thousands of them absolutely slaughtered and ruined.

So far as telephone and electric light men are concerned I will make the statement that not more than 15% or 20% of the cutting is necessary that is usually done to get all of the wire clearance that is reasonably necessary for those wires to go through. I know because we have done a reasonable amount of it and have secured clearance, ample clearance with only a moderate amount of cutting. We cleared the trees in my home town for the telephone company there and didn't cut a single limb bigger than your thumb and gave them ample clearance. I think it is the most damnable slaughter, the most useless sacrifice of beauty that I know of in America, and sometimes I think the only kind of treatment that will answer is the kind of treatment that the tree butchers mete out to trees.

That may sound a little harsh and yet I want to say, gentlemen that these men who slaughter the trees of America in this way defy all the laws of our country and all the laws of decency. They know no law and no restraint, only the law of force.

I had an experience down in my home town—the telephone company was proposing to stretch a new line along the main street where I live and it is a beautiful street—I didn't make it so—the main street, where I live, the foresight of men fifty or seventy-five years ago made my street beautiful, and I was afraid of what would happen, so I called up the manager of the telephone company and asked him what their program was. He said, "Well, we will have to put the wires through." I said, '''Does that mean cutting?" "Well," he said, "No more than is necessary."

Well, I said, "Now listen, don't you cut any of those trees on the street where I live." He said, "what do you mean'?" I said, "I want to be perfectly frank with you, I have got a gun in the house, and the first fellow who undertakes to cut those trees I am going to use the gun on him, I know how to use it and it is in first class condition." He said, "What do you mean?" I said, "I mean business." Well, as a matter of fact the trees weren't cut.

I know of a case down in Poland, Ohio where one determined man in that community by his own force kept the electric light company from despoiling the trees that were a century old and were the pride and the glory of that community, the trees that made the town worth living in.

It seems to me that what we need is just a little more of the fighting spirit out of which America was born in order to protect the rights of the public.

Speaking along that line makes me think of the story about the minister who was lecturing his congregation on the subject of heaven and hell—an old fashioned subject. They used to talk a good deal about it, some of our modern ministers lecture on sociology, and books and theatres, and so forth, it used to be that they talked about heaven and hell. Anyway this must have been an old fashioned sort of minister because he proceeded at some length to plead with his congregation about this subject of great importance.

Finally after he had finished he said to them, "Any of you who want to go to heaven, stand up." They all stood up except one old fellow who was asleep. They sat down and he said, "Any of you who want to go to hell, stand up." The old fellow woke up just in time to hear the last part of it and he stood up and looked the minister straight in the eye. The minister looked at him and said, "My good man do you know what you are standing up for?" He said, "I do not, but you and I seem to be the only ones for it."

Now, with your permission I would like to talk for just a little while about another subject which seems to me of great and far-reaching importance and that is the question of forest devastation. I am interested in it tremendously because it seems to me that this question of forest is one of the things that project themselves farther into the future of our country than most of the things that we ordinarily concern ourselves with. I call you to witness that we have lived through every tariff law that was ever enacted whether it be a high tariff, or a low tariff, and we have lived through every tax bill, high or low, somehow we have lived through it, and we have lived through a lot of other laws, good and bad, but there are some things that no nation can live through and remain great and strong and one of those is the destruction of the great natural wealth that only God can make. I have reference particularly to the destruction of America's forest wealth.

A hundred and fifty years ago America became a new nation and this land was endowed by the creator with a greater quantity probably of natural wealth than any nation in the history of the world, and we started in with a prodigal hand to spend it as fast as we could go.

Those of our forefathers who landed in Virginia under Captain John Smith sent back word to the mother country that they had discovered a land of inexhaustible fertility, and so it seemed, but you can go into Virginia today and buy thousands of acres almost for a song because it has been robbed of its fertility, it lacks the power of producing things in sufficient quantity to pay for cultivation. As a matter of fact I see an increasing number of abandoned farms from the Atlantic Seaboard west. In my own county there are 400 abandoned farms and this section was settled less than 200 years ago. Those of our forefathers who landed on the coast of New England carne face to face with a wonderful covering of trees, trees everywhere and yet today the New England states have exhausted four fifths of their original lumber supply; half of their remaining supply is in the State of Maine that is largely pulp wood varieties. They already import 30% of their own consumption and will import more and more as time goes on. Even the great Empire State of New York that once was the greatest producer of lumber in the Union today produces only 10% of its own consumption. They produce 30 board feet per capita every year and use 300. Penn's Woods, Pennsylvania, named because of its wonderful covering of trees has so far exhausted its supply of timber that they produced today less than enough for the Pittsburgh district alone, about 20% of their own consumption. The great lake states where there was a wonderful supply of magnificent white pine—that is almost gone. The original supply was estimated to have been 350 billion board feet, and it is now reduced to 8 billion, and it will be all gone in perhaps ten or fifteen years.

The wonderful supply of yellow pine in the south Atlantic and Gulf States is four-fifths gone.
So I might go on and tell you the story, step by step, but the last report of the United States Forest Service tells us that the entire eastern half of the United States will be stripped bare of its timber from a commercial standpoint within twenty-five years. Of course there will be many individual trees, but speaking commercially the eastern half of the United States faces a lumber shortage, or exhaustion. And also that same report says that the apparently inexhaustible supply in the far west will be all gone in thirty-five or forty years, according to the present rate of consumption because as each section is stripped of its timber it lays a heavier and heavier demand on the remaining sections.

One of the men with our company—that is the Davey Tree Expert Company (incidentally I have to stay in business to make the money I spend in politics) one of the men with our company was working in Mississippi last winter. He knew I was interested in this subject of conservation and he wrote to me about the conditions he found in the little town down there. He said the town had been built around the lumber industry and the whole supply was exhausted so the company had been bringing logs from the Pacific Coast by way of the Panama Canal, up through the Gulf of Mexico by rail so this little town in Mississippi could keep alive. That is not an isolated case; there are many many communities that have almost ceased to exist because of the exhaustion of the lumber supply.

I was told last summer by a representative of the United States Forest Service that one-fifth of the timberland in the state of Michigan had gone back to the state for nonpayment of taxes. It is land good for nothing else except growing trees and the trees have been so entirely cut away, the land has no more value, and nobody wants it, so they dumped it back on the state for the rest of the people to carry the load.

However, the question of lumber supply is only one phase of this far-reaching proposition. I sometimes wonder how we would carry on in our scheme of civilization if we ran out of lumber. Stop to think of all the things into which lumber enters and ask yourselves how we would maintain our scheme of civilization, our standard of living and progress, without lumber, and you have some idea of the magnitude of the problem.

But that isn't all. I have in mind the terrible tragedy that we were reading about so much in the papers this Last spring when the flood waters were sweeping down through the Mississippi Valley. I am thoroughly convinced that the more serious aspects of that flood were due to the destruction of the trees around the headwaters of the streams that makeup the Mississippi. It wasn't the water that fell down into the Mississippi Valley, it was the water that fell in Western Pennsylvania and Ohio and Indiana and Kentucky and Illinois, Wisconsin, Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa—all that great section where the trees have been cut away and the water sweeps quickly into the little streams and it pours rapidly into the larger streams and finally into the Father of Waters. And so the channel was just too small, it couldn't hold it, and we had a flood, and we will have more and more floods as the destruction continues because nature made the trees, the forest trees as a reservoir to hold the water back and let it seep out gradually.

Go out sometime into the woods and see the condition that the creator made. Look down at the wonderful soil, loose, porous, soil it is and take up a handful of it and see the provision that was made to absorb the moisture and then watch the water in imagination as it comes down from the heavens through the leaves and settles into this loose porous soil and follow it further, in imagination as it travels by underground channels to the little springs, and see how those springs feed the little streams, and they in turn feed the rivers, and thus you have a continuity of water supply.

But when man comes along in his breathless haste to get rich quick, or for some other reason and he cuts the trees away, allows the land to be burned over. When the rain descends from the heavens it sweeps across the surface of the land and takes with it the precious topsoil, precious top soil. It is said by scientists that it takes nature ten thousand years to make one inch of fertile top soil by the process of decaying vegetation, piling one little particle upon another—ten thousand years, and oh so little time to wash it away.

I stood by the Potomac River in Washington some two or three years ago when that stream was on the rampage and like all flood waters that stream was also muddy, and I thought to myself: what part of my country is making this terrible contribution to the sea? And then after the flood waters had subsided I went into Potomac Park again and there on the grass I saw an inch or two of precious top soil deposited there by the mad rushing waters, but only a little fraction of the enormous quantity that had been carried down to the ocean.

Reading in one of the News Weekly Magazines this last spring about the flood in the Mississippi I came across one paragraph that struck me with great force. It told how fishermen were coming back from the Gulf of Mexico and describing the condition of the water. It said that the Gulf Stream was actually becoming discolored by the prodigious quantity of soil carried down by this flood. It also told how great schools of fishes were coming far out into the Gulf in order to escape suffocation.

This question of the washing away of the precious topsoil it seems to me is one of the very serious aspects of our forest devastation policy, but that is only one side of it. There is also the question of adequate water supply. Our capital city, Columbus, Ohio several years ago was face to face with a water famine, the situation was so bad that they held prayer meetings calling upon God Almighty to save them from the threatened catastrophe—that is our human system, we do everything wrong then when we get into trouble we call upon God to pull us out of the hole. Anyway they had their prayer meetings and whether God answered their prayers we don't know, but a providential rain did come and averted this terrible catastrophe. Can you imagine anything more serious than a city of 300,000 people without water? Columbus secures its municipal supply from the Sciota River and that stream is all but dried up all because the trees and the vegetation had been cut away from its head waters, and so sometimes you have too much water and that causes a flood and then you have too little water at other times, and that causes a drought. That is a part of the penalty that man must pay for his folly and for his destruction.

There is another aspect to it that is both interesting and important. Scientists tell us that one tree in an average growing season throws into the air about five hundred barrels of water through its leaves by the process called transpiration. Just as our breath is laden with moisture so there is thrown out through the leaves great quantities of moisture in vapor form to remain in the air to be condensed and come back as rainfall. Then it is taken up again by vegetation and again it is thrown out in vapor form to be condensed once more and thrown out as rainfall. So you have the constant supply of water for all forms of life.     .

You probably have heard the old saying about the sun drawing water, referring to evaporation. Science tells us there is infinitely more water thrown into the air through the leaves of vegetation than from all the evaporation and all the rivers and lakes in the ocean. It is a constant supply of moisture into the air by the process of transpiration through the leaves.

Speaking about conservation—I heard a story about a Scotchman that may interest you. I have a suspicion that maybe there are some Scotchmen here. Well, you know they have a reputation for being rather thrifty. I don't know whether it is true or not. Anyway this particular Scotchman was sitting in a hotel lobby feeling pretty blue and looking as though he were beyond the power of consolation. A stranger came by and asked him what the trouble was and Sandy said, "I am on my Honeymoon and I couldn’t afford to bring my wife."

Now I want to refer, in closing, to two other things, first to the tragic example of China because we have in the example of China ample evidence of' what may happen to America and a proper indication of what we ought to do.

China once had a wonderful covering of trees, very much like our own, perhaps not as fine and still a very wonderful covering and China did with her trees just exactly as we are doing with ours. She cut them away, allowed her land to be burned over and then the floods came and swept away her precious topsoil. China has become a land of perpetual famine. They only have one crop in seven years. In the other years of that period they must look to the world for food.

One of my brothers took a trip around the world some three or four years ago and he was interested in the subject just the same as I and when he returned he told me of his observations. He described how when they came up through the Yellow Sea he was impressed by the increasing chocolate color of the water and he wondered what its significance was. Then when they went out across the land and saw those miles and miles of barren land, he began to understand. He told me that he saw men and women and children out gathering weed stalks by the roadside with which to cook their rice, they had no wood for fuel, not even bushes, just weeds.

There are millions of acres of land in China where nothing grows at all, not even weeds, then there are other millions and millions of acres where nothing much more than weeds can grow, and so they have a land stripped of its fertility in large part with an enormous population, and I am afraid that the case of China is hopeless.

I wish that my country might profit by that example because no land in the history of the world ever survived the destruction of its great natural wealth. That land where Christ was born today supports only 10% of the population that it did 1900 years ago, because the land has been robbed of its fertility and fewer and fewer people can live there. Meanwhile the population of the world is increasing. This question of preserving the fertility of the soil so that it may grow food for man and animals and all forms of life I think is one of the great problems of this and future generations.

I am interested in this question because it affects my country. Possibly you and I may not see the severe consequences of our national folly, we may be dead and gone before its worst phases appear, but even so we have a very great responsibility for the safekeeping of this great heritage. Our America—we sing of it in song, we glorify it in our literature, but what is America? Is it land? Is it rivers and lakes or mountains? No. That isn't America, because this land was here many years ago and the same mighty rivers were flowing to the sea, long before civilization began and the same majestic mountains lifted their lofty summits to the skies before man was, and even the same stars twinkled in the nighttime before there was any life upon this globe. No—America is a great human thing, a great new system, and philosophy of government. America is people and those things which affect people are the things of supreme and lasting importance. Nothing is of greater significance than the destruction of the basic wealth upon which people exist.

I am tempted to relate to you the little story of my good old father, because it was from him that I received my first inspiration in the cause of conservation, from his lips years ago I heard the story. He was born in, England at a time when there were no public schools, and he was twenty-one before he knew his ABC’s. That is almost inconceivable to us in this country where education is free, but it was the general rule then in England because only the children of the aristocracy had the advantages of education. So he started in as a full grown young man to learn to read by the slow painful process of self-education. He began with a little copy of the New Testament and a little dictionary, picking out one word at a time until he finally acquired a grammar so that he might learn to put the words together properly.

He showed me one time not very long before he passed away the old faded copy of the New Testament from which he learned to read and on it there was a brown spot where a drop of milk had fallen as he studied while he milked in the long ago. Then, like millions of other sturdy sons of Europe he heard the call of America, this great land of freedom and opportunity, and he came here to work out his destiny. He pursued his education still further studying by night and working by day until he finally acquired an education that would have done credit to the average college graduate, and I sometimes think a more profound education. But one of the things that impressed me most about him was the fad that he became one of the really fine Americans that it has been my privilege to know. He learned every word of our Constitution, every word of it. He learned every word of every verse of America and every word of the Star Spangled Banner, and until old age laid its heavy hand upon him he could sing those songs with a zeal and a fervor that were good to see. He became a full citizen under our law at the first opportunity, and he told me of that sacred day when he raised his right hand and foreswore allegiance to the British Crown and swore allegiance to the flag of America, and his eyes filled with tears as he described that most sacred day of his life.

I saw him from the time I was a little fellow, and long before I could comprehend the significance of it, every time he passed by Old Glory he tipped his hat in veneration.

I think perhaps there is something in that story for you and for me, for those of us who were born here, those of us who were privileged to come here by choice to make this a home because this great wonderful America, this new nation is a rich heritage, America is only a hundred and fifty years old, that is only two normal life times. It seems quite a while to talk about a hundred and fifty years, but just a little while ago we were reading about King Tut who reigned in Egypt thirty-five hundred years ago, and as we look back across the long span of time we begin to realize how very young America is, because in that period of thirty-five hundred years we can see countless nations rise and fall, kingdoms and principalities and powers almost without number come and go and then we realize how very young America is and when we take an inventory of our situation we realize how far we have gone on the road of destruction. 

We have spent the principal of our inheritance faster than any people that ever lived, and some day we shall pay a tragic price.

America is ours only for safekeeping, we do not own it. Oh I know the land stands in our names at the court houses, if we own it, but we only have it so long as we may live, and then according to the laws of nature we must pass it on to other generations that are yet to come. This country, great and wonderful as it .is came into our keeping as stewards to use and to enjoy for a little while, and then we must pass it on and when we received our America with all of its matchless and manifold blessings we received also a great and everlasting responsibility to keep our America as great and as wonderful and as worthwhile as it was when we received it.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 41st Annual Convention
Cleveland, OH
August 22, 23, 24 and 25, 1927

It is obvious to all of you that any exhaustive treatment that might be given the subject of "Nursery Materials for Cemeteries and How to Plant Them" would soon assume the proportions of an encyclopedia of horticulture. And since I am aware that many of your members are recognized authorities on plant materials, it would be useless to run through long lists of the more common varieties with which you are all familiar. In fact, I often envy the cemetery management the opportunity to observe plants as they progress from small seedlings, rooted cuttings, or grafts, up through their growth to maturity. It is an opportunity to study and learn which the Nurseryman does not have, since due to the very nature of his business, "the scientific production of young plants for transplanting elsewhere to grow into maturity," he knows them only in their younger stages.

The conditions for growth in a cemetery are nearly ideal. Most of the newer tracts are located far from the congested districts. Their size is such that the contamination of the atmosphere by poisonous gases is negligible. They are invariably well guarded against the malicious destruction of property by trespassers. They are by the very nature of their purpose designed and executed as to contour, drainage and ground covering and are maintained in every way as an ideal spot in which plant life may thrive. A cemetery is frequently spoken of as "the last resting place," and it serves mankind best when it is so in fact, because some day it must naturally take on a park-like effect and become still more of a community asset. Their long, yes, virtually perpetual, lives of usefulness make the effort to plant for permanency seem worthwhile. It is all these attributes of the scene of your activities that give you gentlemen the unsurpassed opportunity for study and observation that so few professional or business men enjoy. Consequently, you can understand and appreciate plant life and so perform a service in your community in furthering this interest among others less fortunately situated.

You have heard endless references to "the landscape lawn plan," the "park plan of cemetery," the "memorial park," the injection of the "landscape idea" into, cemetery design, how the memory of past generations is sweeter if it is associated with trees than if it is connected with tombs, catacombs and pyramids. This is not idle patter. Our cemeteries should keep pace with the best thought of the times. It is only natural that humanity should seek as their "last sleeping place," as the name implies, a spot of rest and freedom from intrusion. A beautiful park, a real picture, grounds that are the embodiment of all the best practices of landscape art; such places may seem to exist more for the living than for the dead, but the living are the ones that need them, and incidentally the folks with whom you men do business. Scenery should solace those that are bereft.

It is not the purpose of this discourse to enter into the subject of landscape design which is so largely responsible for the proper development of your grounds. Other speakers on the program will do credit to this phase. Still, the freedom in design is limited by the requirements of modern cemetery practice and the interest very often must lie in the variety of the plant material itself, This does not mean that the cemetery should be an arboretum as far as the number of varieties are concerned, but certainly it is an arboretum so far as it pertains to the intensive study of the subjects at hand. The more modern types of design require a greater variety of plants than ever before. Certain effects of seclusion to the larger lots, which are so desirable, necessitate the use of much shrubby material not formerly used. The larger sizes of the newer cemeteries warrant the appropriation of larger tracts for beautification exclusively. It also makes a more elaborate entrance treatment desirable. Screen and border plantings are needed here, shady retreats there, and bright flowering, happy-looking plants elsewhere. The nurseryman means to supply you with the best plant for the purpose for which it is to be used. (It is not necessary to use Norway Spruces entirely, as is still seen in certain sections.)

Long life is a requisite that any plant material chosen for cemetery work should have. There are already too many places where the immediate effect is the only consideration. Let your grounds be unique in that respect, that permanency and the qualities that come only with old age are the things most desired. There are many plants that are only common place and ordinary-looking until the subduing influence of old age shows up their real natures. This should encourage the more extensive use of the very dwarf and prostrate forms of shrubs and evergreens. I should prefer to mention this group first as it is probably the least well known and next most useful to the intensely valuable group of dwarf and generally slow growing trees.

Some of the evergreens which are quite dwarf in character, and yet sturdy and very tenacious of habit, would be far more desirable covering steep slopes or stony outcroppings than the barren surface often found in the cemeteries of steep contours. These are not paraded before you as new varieties, but suggested as being useful for purposes of which you may not have thought before.

Let me mention first then, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Nana (Hinoki Cypress). This is the variety made famous by its use as a miniature tree in pots by the Japanese. This, to me, is only an example of the punishment which it will stand and still look fresh and vigorous. The annular growth is quite short but it is attractive when small and still more so as it grows older.  I have seen it push aside much larger growing forms like the common American Arbor Vitae, and even Spruces and Pines. Its tenacity for life is marvelous. It will stand up bright and shining against a spider-infested Arbor Vitae or Juniper and come through unscathed. Its only drawback is that it always has been and will continue to be costly, due to its difficulty of propagation.

Juniperus Communis Depressa rarely exceeds two feet in height, good form of Juniper for ground cover. It is at home on sandy or gravelly hillsides fully exposed to the sun, where single plants often reach fifteen feet or more in diameter. It is sometimes catalogued Juniperus Communis, which is erroneous. The name Juniperus Canadensis is also applied, which is a synonym. It grows native in various sections of the country.

Juniperus Horizontalis Douglassi (Waukegan Juniper) is an interesting new creeping Juniper, which is very low and compact, making a dense mat. In spring and summer it is of a soft blue color, changing to a rich purple color in late fall. It grows close to the ground, not over six to eight inches high, but spreads out a dozen feet or more, depending upon soil and planting conditions.

Juniperus Horizontalis Glauca, by some called Sabina Horizontalis, or The Coast of Maine Juniper, grows native along the bleak, rockbound coast of Maine where it is exposed to the most severe weather conditions. It is usually vigorous and dependable creeping Evergreen of a distinctive and attractive bluish-green color.

Juniperus Sabina Tamariscifolia (Tamarix Savin Juniper) is an excellent creeping dwarf variety. The foliage is fine in texture; average height is one foot, with a spread of six to eight feet when full grown. Sometimes it is called Gray Carpet Juniper, and the name Tamarish leaved Juniper is also applied to it. It is said to occur wild in Sicily, Greece, and other places. A very vigorous grower; forming a compact and perfect mat of bluish or gray green; it grows very dense and never changes in color.

Juniperus Chinensis Sargenti (Sargent Juniper) was first collected by Professor Sargent in Japan in the autumn of 1892. This Juniper forms a low dense mat of wide-spreading branches covered with small dark green scale-like leaves, mixed with pointed ones. In the Arboretum it is now the handsomest of the Prostrate Junipers.

Juniperus Communis Depressa Plumosa is a rare Evergreen of distinctive beauty. It is silvery green in Spring and the mountains purple in Autumn. In habit it is low-growing and spreading, and it adapts itself admirably to many, uses. Being very hardy, it will grow under conditions that many Evergreens find unfavorable. For use in rock gardens or filling-in at the base of taller growing Evergreens, it is extremely adaptable and in groups with other species it contrasts with pleasing effect. Its prostrate branches seldom lift themselves more than eighteen inches from the ground.

Taxus Baccata Repandens is one of the few varieties of the English Yew that is hardy in the northern part of our country. Its rich, dark green foliage and low, nearly prostrate, but bunchy growth, makes it wonderfully useful for cemetery planting. Like our native Texas canadensis, it prefers semi-shade and some moisture. The latter should be used more under the shady and often sloping conditions found in the angles of walks along drives, etc.
 
The greatest acquisition and the most valuable gift Japan has contributed to the gardens of the colder parts of North America, is the Japanese Yew, Taxus Cuspidata and its dwarf form, Taxus cuspidata var. nana. Only these and the two above mentioned are hardy enough to be recommended for general planting in this country. These Yews are especially valuable because of their endurance of shade, their shiny, green foliage and bright scarlet berries.
 
The Mugho Pine (Pinus Montana Mughus) is a dwarf variety recognized everywhere as one of the most useful Evergreens, with its many stems, compact form and dark green color which it retains throughout the winter. It does not do well south of the Ohio River, but for northern plantings it is invaluable. All of the pines prefer a clay soil and need to be well compacted when planting.

Mahonia Repens is the low growing form of the Oregon grape and should find a place in moist shaded conditions where Vinca Minor has been used too extensively.

Pachysandra Terminalis is a splendid evergreen ground cover with thick, glossy foliage. It forms a dense mat, but to be successful must be planted closely together. It thrives well only whim the roots have, the benefit of its own shade.

Euonymous Radicans Vegetus is popularly known as the Evergreen Bittersweet and is an accommodating sort of plant. It may be grown as a vine against masonry walls, over rocks, or can be sheared into, a hedge, or grown as specimen plants. Although introduced from Japan in 1876, it is only in recent years that its good qualities have become well enough known to make its use extensive.

Of a more shrubby nature are the low spreading Cotoneaster. C. horizontalis Wilsoni is very similar with slightly longer leaves. A hardier variety than either of these is C. apiculata, and it should replace the two former ones in colder parts of the country. C. microphylla is likewise a prostrate variety with evergreen foliage and quite hardy at the Arnold Arboretum.

Of the taller growing Evergreens, some old reliable ones as well as newer varieties are:

Juniperus Chinensis Pfitzeriana. This remarkable tree is today in the front rank of ornamental conifers. Its popularity is well earned. This is a Juniper that thrives in the hot climate of the South and still comes through the cold northern winters without a scratch. Nothing bothers it as it seems to be practically immune from plant pests of all kinds. If left alone it assumes an attractive, low, broad, irregular form. It was originated in Pfitzer's Nursery in Germany. Ludwig Spaeth, famous German nurseryman horticulturist, introduced it into general cultivation.

Juniperus Chinensis Columnaris was introduced to cultivation by the United States Department of Agriculture, through the late F. N. Meyer. It forms a distinct, narrow pyramid with all the leaves circular or needle-shaped. The foliage is remarkably decorative. Like other forms of J. Chinensis, it is very hardy and also retains its desirable color effect during the winter. The habit of growth resembles the well-known Italian Cypress. This tree offers to planters in colder climates the extreme narrow growing form of evergreen heretofore so much desired but unfortunately not obtainable in a dependable tree.

Juniperus Chinensis Mas is a non-fruiting form of the Chinese Juniper and when better known, will be used quite extensively, as its winter color is greener and brighter than any other variety of the tall-growing ones.

Juniperus Squamata Meyeri, brought from Thibet by the late Frank N. Meyer, is the rarest and most sought-after of evergreen plants. Its rich, steel-blue color, even brighter, if possible than the Kosters Spruce, seems to assure for it a place in the newer plantings where accents of color are wanted. Its common name may work against it—The Fish Tail Juniper.

Juniperus Virginiana Cannarti is one of the foremost among the interesting group of Junipers that have been developed from the Red Cedar (J. Virginiana). It has rich green, heavy-tufted foliage, of medium height, and compact, pyramidal growth. Three newer sorts of Virginiana origin are Keteleri, Smithi and Burki. They certainly appear promising in the young plants, and will, no doubt, help to supply the always increasing demand for tall growing columnar Junipers.

A tall slender variety of Yew, developed from Taxus Cuspidata., has recently been put on the market by a prominent eastern nurseryman. It should fill the same place in northern plantings that the Irish Yew and Italian Cypress does in warmer climates.

Most of the Pines and Spruces are better known and although always important in cemetery plantings, they are so familiar to most of you that they require no comment.

There is no need or burdening you with a long list of shrubs suitable for cemetery planting. Anyone might be used to advantage, but too many of them lose their effectiveness after too few years. I do want to describe a few which might not be familiar to all of you as well as calling your attention to some old ones not used nearly as much as they warrant.

Kolkwitzia Amabilis (Beauty Bush). This is one of the rarest and most beautiful of the recent introductions of the Arnold Arboretum. It is a hardy shrub, closely related to the Lonicera.  Fruits are covered with long brown bristles. It seems to grow in any ordinary garden soil.

Pryacantha Coccinea Lalandi (Firethorn) is a thorny, half evergreen Hawthorn from the Himalayas, and rarely reaches a height of more than six feet. The leaves are small and narrow, with white flowers followed by bright orange colored fruits. These remain on the branches all winter, if not eaten by birds, which, by the way, consider them quite a delicacy. It is well adapted for planting on stony slopes, or sunny rockeries. It may also he used for a low ornamental hedge, as it stands trimming well, and is easily trained into any desired shape. Certainly it is a plant that is not yet well enough known, nor extensively used.  Due to its, evergreen nature, it ought always to be moved with a ball of earth attached.

The Cotoneasters are ornamental shrubs with decorative, bright, red or black berries. They thrive in any well drained soil, but dislike very modest and shady positions. C. dielsiana is one of the best, with a height of not over six feet. It has slender spreading and arching branches. The coral red fruits are very attractive. Several more widely advertised forms have the habit of losing their leaves earlier at the base. A few have the habit of contracting San Jose scale, so should be avoided. The more prostrate forms have already been described. 

The Viburnums rank among the most valuable ornamental shrubs. Possibly too much stress has been placed upon the native forms, prunifolium, lentago, dentatum, acerifolium, nudum, and others. These are all excellent foliage and berried plants for large mass planting, but they seem to lack the popular appeal. Try Viburnum americanum in place of V. opulus, and you will avoid trouble from aphids, Virburnum carlesi, on account of its rather large pink and white, delightfully fragrant flowers, which appear in dense clusters early in the spring, before or with the first leaves, is one of the most charming of the family. It enjoys some shade and could add untold glory to somber plantings which come with less interesting varieties. Viburnum dilitatum is bushy than many of the other viburnums and certainly cannot be surpassed for richness of foliage and a gorgeous showing of red berries, when it is happily situated.
 
Aesculus Parviflora, one of the dwarf horse-chestnuts, is certainly one of the handsomest plants for a lawn group. It is not a shrub that will ever reach any degree of popularity for foundation planting, as it grows rather slowly and does not transplant any too easily. It has slender pinnacles of white flowers and grows best in loamy moist soil. Once established, it takes on a rounded, massive but low effect that is a relief among so many tall, slender growing plants.

One of the newer privets which has been named Ligustrum Ibolium because it is a hybrid between ovalifolium and obtusifolium or ibota, should receive some attention if a formal hedge, is desired. It has all tile attractiveness of foliage that you find in California privet, but apparently it is much hardier. There have been reports of slight winter injury at the Morton Arboretum, but this variety certainly does place the line of winter injury much farther north than can be said of
ovalifolium.

Philadelphus Virginal and others of the now hybrid Philadelphus seem to have gained considerable popularity as of particular value in cemetery plantings. Mr. Roy, of the Mt. Royal Cemetery at Montreal, finds it quite hardy and a great acquisition. Their time of bloom, so near Memorial Day, should add to your appreciation of them.

Among the dwarf growing trees are many varieties which I believe are the most valuable nursery material for cemetery use. There are many that are showy in bloom, others have brilliant fruits, little pruning is necessary, generally have healthy, bright foliage, and in open spaces away from buildings develop into beautiful low growing masses. Used in groups, they are more nearly in scale with the size of cemetery grounds than most shrubs. Their robust, hard, woody growth makes them resistant to injury by storm, winds and trespassers. There are hundreds of species and thousands of horticultural varieties that come in this group. The Flowering Crab Apples, Hawthornes, Dogwoods, Flowering Cherries, Dwarf Maples, Flowering Plums and Peaches, are all families that contribute heavily to the list of the finest ornamental material known in the landscape practice.

The Flowering Crabs of both American and Asiatic origin have few rivals among gorgeous spring flowering trees and shrubs. At the Arnold Arboretum one of the important events of the year is the blooming of the Crabs. In order to still further glorify themselves, the bloom is followed by the fruit—the size, color and time or ripening varying greatly with the variety. It will suffice to name a dozen or the better varieties. Malus floribunda is probably the best known. Others attracting the attention of plants men over the country are the "Tea Leafed Crab" (Malus theifera), micromalus, sargenti, scheideckeri, arnoldiana, Zumi Crab, spectabilis, atrosanguinea, niedzwetzkyana, prunifolia, rinki, rinki-sublobata, and others. These may be planted in the Fall or Spring, pruned severely, and well watered, as they do not transplant as easily as shrubs.

The depredations or tourists and picknickers are going to make the countryside so barren of our native dogwood, Cornus florida, that it will be up to institutions like yours to perpetuate the most beautiful native flowering tree we have. You can't overdo the planting of this handsome dwarf tree. The pink flowering variety, Cornus florida rubra, is a gorgeous sight in bloom. At Woodland cemetery in Dayton, fifty dollars invested twenty years ago by Mr. Kline in this plant has attracted more favorable comment than thousands of dollars spent in other adornment.

I've often wondered why each of you does not let some one flowering tree of this art dominate in your plantings. In Japan they declare a holiday when the cherries are in bloom. Lilac time at Arnold Arboretum attracts thousands of visitors from all over the country. The Japanese cherries at Washington when in bloom are a national institution. Such a planting of Crab Apples, Hawthornes, Dogwoods or other such dominant notes in your planting give character and style to your landscape obtainable in no other way. Time will not permit further details concerning the Hawthornes, Cherries, Maples, etc. but they are equally delightful.

With larger growing members of the plant world, the trees, you are more familiar. I only want to mention some new elms which have come into prominence recently. One, the vase-shaped elm, Ulmus urni, is a fast growing large leafed American white elm, which must be budded or grafted and is destined to fill a long felt want for uniform growing elms. Its rapidity of growth, cleanliness of foliage and bark and general good appearance will make it of much demand in the coming years.

The Moline Elm likewise originated from the American elm. However, its shape, a round-headed form, its dark, heavy foliage and smooth bark makes it resemble the English Elm. Its comparative resistance to the Elm Leaf Beetle, and the European Elm Scale should make its use preferable to the English varieties.

The small leaf elms, Ulmus parvifilia and Ulmus pumilla, though not new are gaining widespread popularity on account of their excellent foliage throughout the summer and their resistance to dry weather.

Now this has been a scattered, disconnected, rambling sort of treatment without doing justice to any one of the noble plants, nor without any attempt to cover completely any part of the excellent stock scientifically grown and prepared for you in the up-to-date nursery. However, the effort to apprise you of some of the noteworthy plants that might have escaped your attention will have been well repaid if that great institution so ably managed and conducted for the public, the American Cemetery will profit thereby.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 41st Annual Convention
Cleveland, OH
August 22, 23, 24 and 25, 1927

Of all the characteristics of a cemetery, which is the most desirable? A cemetery should first of all be comforting. This means that it must be beautiful, restful, secluded. To attain these characteristics it must include within its boundary much of nature.

What is nature? In its broadest significance it includes almost the universe. Some persons use this term as if it were synonymous with the Deity, saying, Nature does this, nature does that, nature's laws are the laws of God. Although we sometimes speak of inanimate nature, it is often personified. Often we hear the expression "Mother Earth", perhaps less frequently nature is referred to as "mother". Mother most endearing of all words. The poet says:

“Nature forever consoling and kind; pours her wine and her oil on the smarts of the mind."

She is represented as soothing and comforting and especially as healing the mind, the part that is in greatest need of healing when a dear friend is left to the permanent care of a cemetery.

Nature, therefore, is the most important feature to have in mind in designing a cemetery. For the purpose of this paper, nature will be considered as that manifestation of the out of doors that is independent of man. We find it in its most attractive and familiar shape in the woods, the borders of lakes and rivers, the hills and valleys, ravines and sky and in the clouds. Nature has infinite variety. When we detect the work of man, as in an orchard, a field of corn; or a row of trees along an avenue, we cease to think of what we see as the work of nature, out rather look at it as man's creation. We see nature when we look at the wooded margin of an open field with its skyline of oaks, its thicket of wild crab apples blooming in the full sun, its viburnums and elderberries. We see her along the rights of way of railroads as we journey from one place to another. In spring or early summer, when we look from a car window, we are greeted with large beds of iris, lupines, shooting stars, spiderworts, butterfly weeds, black-eyed susans, ferns, or a little later, with the flowers or Joe Pye Wood, wild roses, lilies, cardinal flowers, goldenrod, asters and hundreds of others of nature's planting. If the train passes through woods, we may see here and there, as we look from the car window, masses of sassafras, filled with yellow flowers in spring, rich with foliage throughout the summer and gloriously colored with yellows and reds in autumn. We may also see oaks, maples, hawthorns, dogwoods, elderberries, prairie roses, wild grapes clematis, bittersweet and a host of other woody plants all beautiful and all helping to give what we call "the charm of nature." What is this charm which we feel when we go to the woods, when we go to pine forests, when we so to uncultivated prairies which glow with wild sunflowers, asters and goldenrod and when we wander along the wooded banks of lakes and rivers and through wooded ravines? It is difficult to analyze and define, hut it is due to nature's perfect freedom, to beauty of outline and color, to deep shadows and bright lights, to many things being hidden by foliage or inequalities of ground, to the air of mystery that pervades things in which man has no hand.

It is this charm of nature which we should try to introduce into cemeteries. It is this that makes her "consoling and kind". Many cemeteries do not have this charm. Often one sees from the train cemeteries fully exposed to view on all sides and containing only monuments, headstones and a few forlorn trees. Even some pretentious cemeteries with very costly monuments and perfectly kept lawns lack this charm which soothes and comforts.

Are there any cemeteries in which this comforting characteristic can be found? Mr. Strauch introduced it into Spring Grove Cemetery in the naturalistic /borders of the lakes and in the preservation of the wooded ravines. Recently a cemetery has been established on Long Island which bids fair to contain the charm of which I speak. This cemetery, designed by the Olmsteds, is to have no stonework above the ground. A family name may appear on a stone tablet set even with the turf. There is a plentiful supply of shrubbery to separate one lot from another. When nature has had time to correct the inevitable imperfections and rawness of new plantings, this may become one of her most charming retreats. Many cemeteries contain touches of the charm of nature, but I know of none really perfect.

It is true that people's tastes differ and we have different points of view. One telephone man said that to his eye a line of straight telephone poles on each side of a road with arms carrying a plentiful supply of wires was the most beautiful decoration a thoroughfare could have, but I think even he would have hesitated about putting such a decoration in a cemetery. These opinions, however, are evidently somewhat biased. A lover of nature has nothing to sell, no ax to grind. He is merely anxious to have people enjoy with him the beauty that he sees. The appreciation of this beauty is something that must be cultivated in order to be fully enjoyed. Some do not even see a sunset until their attention is called to it. Some see no beauty in winter, while others experience great enjoyment at that season in the branching of trees, the twiggery of shrubs, the snow and the glistening ice-covered branches. There are two or three things which seem desirable in order to secure that beauty of nature which is so comforting. The first is to reduce the amount of stonework either by planting out most of the monuments and headstones, or by reducing them to inconspicuous dimensions. Some of the money that is spent for monuments should be spent in securing more land so that there will be room for shrubs and flowers. We should appreciate the fact that while a perfect lawn is most desirable in some places, there are other places where the ground cover should include other things. Where height is not objectionable, lilacs will often spread out and make a beautiful ground cover when left undisturbed. The same is true of many other shrubs. Where land is poor and sandy perhaps nothing in the shrub line is better for a ground cover than the aromatic sumach, which is beautiful at all seasons, and especially attractive in the fall with its rich coloring. For a still low covering, there are many vines that are suitable. In the deep Shade of woods the Virginia creeper often makes a beautiful cover, hiding the entire ground with a layer of leaves of a delightful green in summer and often richly colored in autumn. Wild violets, myrtle, Japanese spurge, moneywort, ground ivy and carpet bugle are a few of the many beautiful ground covering plants.

In a neglected country cemetery a large area became covered with cypress spurge. This is a beautiful little Euphorbia and while it is often called a weed, it was the most attractive thing in the cemetery being green arid fresh-looking while the grass everywhere else was brown. The neighboring farmer called it cemetery grass and the first question he asked was how to get rid of it. Often, too many so-called bedding plants are used in a cemetery. These bring in revenue and are showy in summer, but they leave the ground bare from October until May. To bring in the charm of nature we should use more hardy perennials. These often beautify waste places in a most satisfactory way. They are on hand from early in the spring until snow comes and even their dead stems and seed vessels are often graceful and beautiful throughout the winter.

Many city dwellers are in the habit of going to northern Wisconsin or northern Michigan for rest and recreation during the summer. Some of these have asked "Why can't I have my cemetery lot like the northern woods which I love 80 much?" These persons certainly feel the charm of nature and would like to have this charm about their final resting place.

The longer we live and the more we observe, the more shall we be convinced of the truth of that oft-repeated saying, "Nature is the best teacher". The superintendent who can introduce foliage and flowers as nature uses them everywhere in covering waste places, creating forests, developing secluded beauty spots and doing all this while concealing his own part in the work will be the most successful in the development of a really worthy cemetery.

In a cemetery well endowed with the charms of nature, one cannot see from end to end and from side to side and on beyond to surrounding buildings or farms. From every point there will be views, some wide, some narrow, and these will be bounded at the sides and terminated by foliage. The side boundaries will not be straight but will recede here and there into bays, tempting one on to see into their depths. Against the foliage will be seen, from time to time, quantities of flowers, wild crab apple blossoms, lilacs, flowers of hawthorn, forsythia and a hundred others. Here and there at the base of the foliage there may at times be the blossoms of iris, peonies, goldenrod, coreopsis and other flowers too numerous to mention or if it is in the fall, there will be attractive fruits, foliage and the blossoms of witch hazel. If there is a hill or ridge, it will be masked at the top with the foliage of trees reaching from the ground to the skyline so that one can easily imagine in looking at the upward slope that it extends on indefinitely to a great height. If there is a valley, the views into its depths will be preserved. There will be extended openings showing at the bottom a green turf or the foliage of low growing plants like moneywort, myrtle or partridge berry, or perhaps, there will be a stream or lake or little pools reflecting the sky and forming jewels in the landscape. If there is a good view outside of the cemetery to a distant hill, lake or river, or to a sunset, this view will, of course, be preserved.

In such a cemetery the stone monuments will be inconspicuous, but the cemetery as a whole will be a memorial park, a fitting monument for all buried within its enclosure where

"Nature forever consoling and kind; pours her wine and her oil on the smarts of the mind."

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 39th Annual Convention
Chicago, Illinois
August 24, 25, 26 and 27, 1925

Mankind is living today in the Air Age. We turn the switch of the radio and out of the air comes reports of the days news from cities miles away. Lives are saved by the S. O. S. sent out from ships in distress. Our mails are being carried day and night over a vast net work of airways and the air has become the highway of travel between all countries and all people. We not only breathe the air for the very existence of life itself but in countless other ways are we dependent upon air in this modern age.

Nothing is more universally distributed over the earth's surface and it is as free to the scientist as it is to plants and animals. Air is composed of the four common elements: carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen, but nitrogen is in the greatest abundance. Plants and animals are composed of the same four elements and nitrogen is the plant food required in the largest quantities. As man's dependence for food is almost entirely on plant growth it is of great importance that our supply of nitrogen be increased to take care of the ever increasing population of the world.

It is estimated that the air over every square mile of land contains twenty million tons of nitrogen or thirty thousand tons over every acre. Mother Nature with unusual impartiality has distributed nitrogen to every country in proportion to its area. The problem of the Scientist was how to extract this nitrogen from the air and make it available as a plant food. It was known for ages that lightning fixes or converts some of the nitrogen into a chemical compound which the rain and the snow carries into the ground where the plant roots can absorb it. It was known that clovers and other leguminous crops took some of the nitrogen from the air, but all of these processes are slow and the Scientist struggled for centuries to find the secret of extracting some of this abundant nitrogen from the air so that it could be used for the good of mankind.

It was a German Chemist named "Wohler" who finally in 1838 discovered a process whereby he made the first artificial urea, which was a compound containing a high percentage of nitrogen in an organic form. This event was the first proof to the world that there is no barrier which cannot be broken between the organic and Inorganic Kingdoms. These early processes were too costly to prove valuable as a source of nitrates, so the world depended on the great natural deposits in Chile. Experiments went on, however as Scientists were sure there must be a way which would give to the world cheaper nitrates.

Finally in 1906 another process was discovered—then came the World War and the crying need of nitrates for explosives hastened events and :processes were perfected whereby nitrogen was extracted from the air cheaper than the Chilean product.

Through these discoveries the free nitrogen can now be drawn from the air and "fixed" in a form to serve the soldier or the farmer, and the same factories that once supplied nitrates for explosives now fix nitrogen for food instead of firearms. Little do we realize what a tremendous event in the World's history this discovery was or what far-reaching effect it will have upon future generations.

So "OUT OF THE AIR" we now derive our principle plant food and because of these discoveries of modern science a new era in fertilizing methods has been ushered in.

As the most important plant constituents which plant growth removes from the soil are nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash, our complete fertilizer today must be made up of a balanced ration of these three dependent upon the nature of the crop grown.

For centuries animal manures have been the principal source of fertility. It is no longer available in quantities sufficient for our needs, and besides the actual food value in one ton of well preserved manure is seldom over thirty pounds, leaving seventeen hundred and seventy pounds of straw and water which makes the cost of manure as a fertilizer excessive.

Most soils contain vast quantities of potential plant foods, but on account of its unavailability, being in a form the plant cannot take up, the soil is therefore infertile. In order to make this plant food available various methods are adopted such as deep plowing and improvement of the physical condition of the soil removing of surplus water by drainage and last the addition of lime, humus or whatever is necessary to improve the soil texture or correct over-acidity.

The new era in fertilizing methods has taught the farmer, the florist, the gardener and the nurseryman or whoever grows crops or plants that he should be governed first by the nature of the soil and secondly by the crop he intends to raise.

The hit or miss system has become out of date. We know what foods plants require and in what proportion and if the soil does not contain them in sufficient quantities they can be supplied in a form that is available for immediate use.

It is no longer necessary to handle tons of useless material to provide a few pounds of plant food. The modern concentrated fertilizers containing only the essential plant foods reduce the cost of handling surplus material, resulting in savings in freight costs and the labor involved in applying them.

This new era in fertilizing methods is of great importance in cemetery maintenance. The Cemetery of today prides itself on luxuriant turf. Grass requires constant mowing. This repeated removal of the leaf growth rapidly reduces the available nitrogen in the soil so that this supply must be replenished during the growing season. Moisture is the first essential and next in importance is nitrogen in a form available for immediate use. The nitrogen from the air is principally in the amid form which makes it especially suitable for quick assimilation by the plant and new growth is thereby accelerated within a few days. By applying a fall application of a complete fertilizer the grass goes into a winter condition with sufficient food stored up to start early growth in Spring.

Turf grasses have no large woody structure to store up food during the year so this food must be supplied in a form readily available. Crops which are annual can be rotated and supplied with additional nitrogen and other fertilizers and humus by the plowing under of green manures, thereby placing the food where it can be assimilated. Grass being a permanent perennial plant must be fed from the top after the original plant food in the soil has been exhausted, and it is because of this that our concentrated water soluble fertilizers have proven so valuable in turf maintenance. The old costly method of top-dressing with rotted manure is not only unsightly but costly, as it resulted in weed growth which had to be removed. The new concentrates contain no weed seeds or waste material. Their application is easy and pleasant, the labor cost is reduced arid the exact amount necessary for each plants requirements can be supplied and all guesswork eliminated.

So literally, "OUT OF THE AIR" has come our most necessary plant food. As the population increased the area of fertility must be expanded. The day is coming when one acre must produce as much as two does now. We must adapt ourselves to these new methods and prepare for even greater discoveries which will improve the fertility of our soils.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 44th Annual Convention
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
September 8, 9, 10 and 11, 1930

I chose the subject, "The Influence of Landscape Gardening on International Relationship" because landscape gardening is a work in which you are vitally interested and because no phase of human endeavor yields more attractive results nor appeals more to the finer susceptibilities of the human heart. The apparent result of the practice is the transformation of unsightly places in all communities of note, into spots upon which the eye delights to rest. Cemeteries today—these sacred spots, the laying out of which it is your duty to superintend—are no longer called places of the dead, places shunned by the public, but have become through your zeal gardens of living beauty—a tribute to the intelligence of man and a sign that civilization is advancing.

It should not be assumed that a beautifully laid out and planted cemetery or a beautiful park, are assets only to the community in which located. The influence of beautifully landscaped areas extends far beyond their own environs. The passing tourist notes them; he speaks about them. They thus become an example to be emulated. Many towns and cities are known throughout the length and breadth of North America by reason of their beautiful parks and cemeteries. In the hearts of all civilized people is a love for the Beautiful things of the Creation—flowers and trees and shrubs—and so, in life, as if drawn by an invisible magnet, we find ourselves attracted to these places of beauty and in the end we have so ordained that when the soul hath left its tenement our bodies shall repose unforgotten in areas where each succeeding year the opening buds and leaves and flowers proclaim "There is no Death". Such, Mr. President and members of the American Association of Cemetery Superintendents, is your work and mission. You build a rampart of living beauty around the places where our dust shall lie and which, as a result, are no longer referred to as "places of the dead."

You hold this convention in Canada because you are attracted; you are interested in our cemeteries and parks and by the beauty of our home surroundings and landscapes. Millions of your people visit Canada for the same reason, and I may add, because you like us, and Canada is rapidly becoming the summer playground of North America. Thus the work of man in his efforts to supplement nature in planting to hide the unsightly and to enhance the already beautiful is having a great effect in bringing together our peoples and in strengthening and cementing the bonds of good-will and friendship which for more than a century have been the talk and wonder of the world.

You may be surprised to know that in Ontario, of which Toronto is the capital city, there is an organization known as the Ontario Horticultural Association which has a membership of 80,000 and comprises 285 societies. (It is purely amateur and is the largest of its kind. As you drive along the roads and through the municipalities you observe the gardens, the plantings of shrubs, the flowers of all kinds. To this organization should largely, go the credit for this desirable condition. Our people are influenced by a desire to have beautiful homes and also that the sight of them should give pleasure to visitors from the states. They are interested in them. They desire their friendship rather than their money, and they find that the influence of the beauty they have created coupled with the beauty of park and cemetery and street within our municipalities is doing more to bring about a closer feeling of friendship than any other single factor. Through this attraction the people of the United States and Canada are getting together in a way previously undreamed of and as a result a full and proper understanding will inevitably accrue.

It has been claimed that good roads are the attraction. No, not solely. Were these roads to run hundreds of miles through a wilderness, through a desert, they would be deserted except by the adventurer. Good roads are but one factor. There are two others—beauty and friendship—and of the latter, the most important, we offer you good measure, pressed down and running over.

By reason of this understanding, this closer friendship, your country and mine, two great English speaking nations, have found a common ground upon which can be expressed this great love and regard for each other in a way that will be the admiration and envy of the world. We are going to establish the world's most beautiful peace memorial at a point upon our border—an International Peace Garden. In this great garden, one half in the United States, the other in Canada, the landscape architects craft will find its greatest expression, and the influence of the resultant beauty coupled with its great sentiment, will be such as to draw all peoples—and it will become the world's greatest shrine.

What will the influence of this garden be on international relationships? Within its vast area will be trees and shrubs and flowers from all parts of the earth, Gardens beautifully landscaped to represent the national style of various countries, The governments of both countries will be asked to neutralize the area and to it will come the people of the hundred nations which compose the population of the United States and Canada and people from overseas and from the Latin countries to the south and all will be citizens of this great and beautiful area.

Nothing can be so beautiful as a garden, nothing more attractive, and it will belong to the people themselves, and the names of all subscribers will be kept for the eyes of future generations to scan; the adults in one set of volumes, the children in another, for all are to be given an opportunity to subscribe to raise the endowment of five million dollars.

Nothing appeals to the human heart more than beauty. This garden will be not merely a beautiful expression of the love of each nation for the other, but a living and enduring one. It will not crumble nor decay like a shaft of granite. The dust of centuries shall not bury it. Each circling spring will see it renewed as a mountain stream is renewed in power and beauty, and a thousand years hence it will, in its majestic grandeur, still be the greatest symbol of international friendship and goodwill.

The first International Peace Garden will be the world's strongest fortress, stronger than loop holed battlement or dugout of concrete and steel, for these cannot, stand the brunt of modern warfare. It will be the fortress of friendship built upon the rock of Christianity as expressed through the love of each nation; and in its shadow we may each forever crest secure. In friendship alone is there security, is there real happiness. Your act in coming to Canada is an act of friendship. Last year to this city came the National Association of Gardeners. That was an act of friendship. They have the same ideals and aims and are engaged in the same great work. They sponsor the International Peace Garden project.
I wonder if you realize how much your lives and work influence the thoughts of the masses toward life's better things. Your work is not a job; it is an influence. The burial of the dead is a job. The beautification of God's acre is an influence. The poet says:

"Tis all a checkerboard of nights and days
Where destiny with men for pieces plays,
Hither and thither moves and mates and slays
And one by one back in the closet lays".

But that is not true. The influence of a life is not lost for it pertains to the soul.

Your great national organization exerts an influence. It is devoted to the beautification not only of your cemeteries but of your country. You convene today to discuss your problems, to tell each other of the things you have accomplished and of the things projected and so your influence extends more rapidly than otherwise and will continue until it reaches from coast to coast and to result in a blessing to every community.

This influence is not only a national influence but an international one. The standards you set in the laying out and maintaining of your cemeteries are emulated by Canada. Your cemetery practices are very advanced. You have made a special study of the problems pertaining thereto. So in this respect we learn something from you. In certain other fields you learn from us which goes to prove that friendly international intercourse is a great medium of education as well as being the greatest factor in the maintenance of goodwill and understanding between nations. Men, and women who think only of their own immediate interests, and there are millions, lack vision. Their souls never find expression and are stifled. Men and women who think nationally have a broader, yet not the broadest, outlook. They who think internationally think of all men. To think internationally is to think like God.

You and I in our own way and through the instrumentality of our chosen and common profession are today together. Americans and Canadians bound by the ties of relationship, in, that we speak a common language and in that our traditions, honorable in the extreme can be traced back to a common ancestry, and you are not ashamed of the old mother that gave you birth. I am speaking now of your nation. We call you cousins but let me say that when the International Peace Garden is established, as it surely will, and when the international line is removed from its centre and when our governments neutralize it, we will be able to call you brothers and sisters, for all who visit this great neutral area, peoples of all nations of the world, will be citizens of that land.

Today, according to our laws, you are aliens and foreigners. Recently I visited the United States and I belonged to the foreign class, but I see the day approaching when by reason of our getting together through the building of our great Fortress of Friendship, the Peace Garden, the word "alien" will be removed from the statute books of both countries and as long as Americans and Canadians are law-abiding it will not matter under which flag they sojourn.

In conclusion will you permit me to say, and in this may there be inspiration. Your work is immortal, if anything on earth is immortal. If the painted canvas shall be treasured and so endure so shall those beauty spots you create be preserved and treasured. The results of your work are like the friendships you make today. Time shall not efface them; a century hence their verdure shall be as green, the trees as beautiful, and the ties of friendship the stronger, for such things are handed down from generation to generation. Beauty, friendship and love are all akin and in and through and round about them is God—and so they shall endure.

In that great spirit of everlasting friendship Canada welcomes you. A spirit that will not tolerate any cloud to darken the international horizon; a spirit that long ago leveled the mountains of prejudice and has done so much to bring about such meetings as these where international friendships find their greatest expression and are cemented in indissoluble bonds. In the Spirit of God—inspired friendship—which is the spirit of Canada and of the Peace Garden, you are welcomed. One day your people and ours and all peoples will throng the portals of a magnificent garden. Eyes will feast upon its beauty and be illumined with a new light. Hearts will be uplifted with a new hope and songs will rise to tongues which never sang.  Children will join the chorus and the whole world will become akin. On that day will come the realization that the two great English speaking nations have set up an unparalleled and unprecedented example of love to the world. With it will also comes the realization that the hope of peace on earth and goodwill between nations as exemplified by ours, may forever endure. Hope that hellish war may forever be banished.

So will the men and women who love beauty and the boys and girls born of these with the wisdom of years and the towering faith and vision of youth remove the mountains of hatred, of prejudice, and of envy and build an insurmountable barrier in the way of those who foment war—a barrier of love and create and leave to the world its most beautiful and significant memorial. Can the members of any organization have a greater influence than that?  Is any work more conducive to friendly international relationship than yours?

"There is no death—what seems so is transition". May this address be vibrant with life. May it convey the thought that good work well done, the beautiful thing created, will never be laid aside, but will continue through the years an example to those who follow and as a memorial to the integrity of those of your profession who went before.

Now may I welcome you from the depth of my own in the words of an original poem!

A LAND WITHOUT A LINE

You came to the land of the Maple Leaf
And we met you with a smile,
We took your hands in a friendly grasp
And hoped you'd stay a while.
Though you live 'neath the Stars and Stripes
And we 'neath the Union Jack,
We speak the same old mother tongue—
Uncle Sam and Jack Canuck.

Between us runs three thousand miles,
A line from coast to coast,
Where never a fort and never a gun
Is seen, we proudly boast.
No bayonet with its murderous steel,
No sentry anywhere,
And we live in peace on either side
As though no line were there.

Side by side for a hundred years,
May it be a thousand more!
With never a word to cause us grief
Nor any to make us sore.
We have lived, and still the Union Jack
And stars and Stripes unfurled
Have flown together on the line
The wonder of the world.

Please God, till earth's last sun shall set
And earth's last tear be shed,
May we two nations still be friends
When to heaven Thou call’st Thy dead.
Until on that eternal morn
As its glorious sun shall shine,
Thy nations meet around Thy throne
In a land without a line.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 44th Annual Convention
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
September 8, 9, 10 and 11, 1930

When this topic was assigned to the writer, his first thought was, in what way can I make this paper of practical value to the craft. The simple expression of my own views as to the value of a greenhouse or houses in a cemetery would be only a personal or one man's idea, and is not a help to the whole. Early last spring, March 20th, a short circular with a series of six questions bearing on the subject was mailed to the members of the Association. I have received eighty-four replies, I regret that some whom I know quite well, and have large greenhouses have not taken any notice at all of the circular, or to reply to the questions, whose opinions should and would carry weight; I cannot but regret that in the minds of some the questions were of no importance and that they did not see what there was to answer or how they should be answered, the right of everyone to his opinion is acknowledged by the fact that through this circular and these questions it was asked of each and all, and it should always be expressed; petty feelings or differences when allowed to prevail over one's mind only grow into prejudice and promote discord. So I am grateful to the eighty-four who took pains to answer the questions which in very many cases were accompanied by interesting letters, and extremely cordial expressions of kindness and willingness to help make this humble effort a success. I know of no other way to make these eighty four members speak, and to show my appreciation of their opinions, I have written out abstracts from a number of the letters (nearly all) which I am interested in keeping in permanent form, and having all the members familiar with and which I hope will be printed in our proceedings as a part of this paper.

In these different abstracts you will see there are but a very few who do not believe in having flowers, and many express themselves very strongly on the influence which they have in beautifying the grounds, also in making the way to the grave smoother and pleasanter. In an eastern cemetery it would be difficult to obtain any great amount of patronage unless the use of flowers was recognized or ornamentation in some way was practiced, if not in the abundant use of tender plants, by hardy plants, such as spring bulbs, a good collection of herbaceous plants, and as good a selection of flowering shrubs as could be obtained. As I sit writing these lines my eye is carried to a hardy border where there is such a variety that something is in flower all the time, a choice collection of Phlox is now a pretty feature.

It is our custom at Forest Hills to use frequently at burials, Palms, Dracaenas, etc., of medium size, these are usually placed on the earth from the graves, arranged to give a pleasing effect, and then carpeted with evergreen; this I have always found to be a very satisfactory feature at a funeral, and there may be some other places on the lot where plants may be advantageously placed; in no case should It be overdone, but in every case enough done to take away the harshness of the grave, and there is nothing like plants and flowers to accomplish that object, and at no time is a thoughtful and kindly act more appreciated. I could give numerous extracts from letters proving this point, I have many a time in our Chapel where the occasion justified it, surrounded the casket with palms and other plants suitable for the place, and when the mourners found what had been done to smooth the way to the grave for the dear departed ones, expressions of heartfelt gratitude from them have been a stimulus to continued efforts in this direction. I think I have already shown you why a greenhouse is an essential feature in a cemetery, let me call your attention to the combined Conservatory and Chapel where services can be held and which adorn several of our best cemeteries, notably at Graceland, Chicago, a model of the kind in the writers estimation; also at the cemetery at Newtonville, MA and at Greenlawn, Salem, MA these are both memorial chapels, accounts of which you have undoubtedly read in the columns of PARK AND CEMETERY. At Utica, NY, an entire glass structure answers for a chapel and conservatory, at St. Paul, Minn., there is a chapel and conservatory combined, which undoubtedly you remember seeing while attending the 1893 convention, those structures where there are other houses to supply can be made very attractive, none but clean well grown specimens should ever be allowed in a chapel conservatory, to use such structures for propagating purposes; or for growing a general collection of plants should always be avoided, they should at all times be clean and orderly, so that at any time when the use of the chapel is called for there would be nothing to mar the quietness of the occasion; a judicious selection of plants for the conservatory is desirable, graceful palms forming the chief feature with ferns growing under them, and as far as the seasons will allow some suitable flowering plants should be introduced which would brighten up the house with vines hanging from the roof. A practical man's good taste will do more to develop such a place, than any amount of writing, and a visit to these and other places will do more than that I am aware I have digressed somewhat but it is in keeping with our subject.

To the important part of this paper; twenty-seven have greenhouses, fifty-seven have none; to the six questions propounded, aside from the first and second the replies as a whole, were so indefinite, that it is quite as well to give the answers as a whole. several did not name the number of plants they use, the largest however as far as reported is at Forest Home, Milwaukee, Wis., 175,000; Oakwoods, Chicago, 133,000; Forest Hills, Boston, 117,700, Mt. Auburn, Boston, 100,000; Graceland, Chicago, 100,000 and by other cemeteries from 3,000 to 50,000 each. In several of the returns the number of foliage and of flowering plants have been given; in one Forest Hills, Boston, the varieties and number of each, there can be no doubt that where any amount of plants over a few thousand is used each year that a greenhouse judiciously managed is a good investment both as a money return, and enabling us to raise the varieties both adapted to our respective places. While geraniums and cannas are universally used there are some things that are not adapted to grow everywhere. For instance, while on a visit one year at Washington, DC, the tender leaved Caladiums were growing in great luxuriance around the basin of a fountain in a shady place, but for everyone who saw and admired them what more fatal mistake could be made than to try and obtain the same results in many of our places. I think one great reason of failure with some of our friends in the management of their greenhouses, is, that too much of an indiscriminate character is grown, and there is always en hand a large amount of plants of no earthly use. I contend that we should always have a definite object in all that we undertake as the seasons come and go, such changes as are of advantage should always be made, and where an improvement can be made by discarding some varieties that have long had a place in your summer planting, and placing others in their stead, there should be no hesitancy about it. I would not grow anything that is not of use for the grounds that I had charge of, better grow a few varieties that you can depend upon, than many that are doubtful. Again, I think you should know the quantity you require; there is no difficulty in this, you undoubtedly know what you can plant out, you also know what is left, I certainly would not grow 10,000 geraniums, when it would be better to have 7,000 and 3,000 heliotrope, neither would I buy every new thing that came along. One or two plants of any new thing placed in your testing ground is enough until you are sure it is what you want. Would any of you want all the Cannas that are catalogued; when a dozen good selected varieties would give you all that there are worth growing? Again why grow thousands of Alternanthera and Echeveria for the so-called carpet bedding, when a long sub-tropical bed well arranged gives a more pleasing effect, and greater satisfaction. Keep these small plants for planting graves and small fancy beds on private lots; why fill all our own ornamental beds with the same class of plants that you plant on private lots, I know you must have some, but where are the evergreens, and the herbaceous plants; why not plant more of Mahonia Aquifolia, and Japonica, Andromeda Floribunda and Polifera, Kalmia Latifolia and Daphne Cneorum, if you have these things your greenhouse is not taxed to its utmost capacity you have a greater variety and at less expense, don't try to make the greenhouse do more than It should. A friend only a few days ago asked me if 1 saw a man whose greenhouse was large enough, I said yes, I am your man. It is astonishing what results can be obtained from a small house and a few frames-well managed. For years the writer was thus situated. The man who attended the funerals, and did the small amount of stable work then required, spent his spare time in the greenhouse and with the assistance of the writer good results were obtained. With a little extra help in the spring time enough plants were raised to supply the place in quite a satisfactory manner, besides yielding a good revenue for plants sold to lot holders and the few ornamental beds were supplied with plants adapted to the place. Small as this effort was, it was the beginning of a new era in the history of that place, and today under the present management longer houses have taken the place of the smaller ones, and the plant department is quite an important feature. I must say however that I do not think any corporation should engage in the cut flower business or in making designs for funeral work. It would take a larger outlay for additional houses and help, and unless a large patronage could be obtained, I am sure it would not pay. The local Florist will not appreciate what he is sure to consider an opposition to him; the cut flower business by a Cemetery Corporation. In regard to the greenhouse department of a cemetery being a financial success, I can only speak from our own standpoint and say, that as it is managed here at Forest Hills it is, figures might be given to show the correctness of this statement. It is important that something more than a common laborer be engaged for this special work.  The assistants should be men of some knowledge of plants, and willing to obtain some more. A man that wishes to be a good gardener is a life long learner, but, alas there are too many that know it all and are not known to spend even one or two dollars a year for Horticultural literature. Such men at the maturity of life are generally at the same place as they were at twenty-one, and are practically of little or no use, so I take the ground that in order to carryon a successful greenhouse arrangement for a cemetery, the first qualification is a gardening Superintendent, who knows when the department is on a right basis, even if the place is large enough for a practical head gardener, It is better for him and the Superintendent too, that they should both be practical men. The assistants should also be practical as already suggested. I further suggest that one or two young men should always be in training in this department. They will work with you and in your ways. Very much more might be said on this line of thought, but we will stop with these hints or rather bits of experience, feeling quite sure that he who is desirous of being a practical gardener, will not spent his money and time in the bowling alley, in preference to purchase of books, and diligent study.

There is a vast amount of work to be done by the gardener which is not strictly confined to the greenhouse. The trees and shrubs are under his care, in addition to the greenhouse work. He should know of and note all changes necessary in that special department. In a word the Superintendent and Gardener are largely the place, and when they pull together it must pull well, these are essential features for a well managed greenhouse.

To those who are contemplating building I would suggest that even the smallest house should not be built without first of all knowing what the house is to be. Have a plan, study it, understand it, and adapt it to your particular needs. In these days of improved construction, do not let it out to any carpenter at hand. Give your plans to a firm that makes it their business to build such structures, and you will then get the benefit of their long years of experience. If it is permissible to quote from experience at Forest Hills, this course was presented with the most satisfactory results.

This subject is the basis for a wide range of thought, the difficulty being in knowing where to stop. I think, however, I have said enough at this time, the greenhouses at Forest Hills pay well, first in supplying suitable plants to the lot holders, second, in the fact that the corporation have the entire control of the plant business in the grounds, there being but very few indeed brought in by outside parties, and those on single graves, third, the men employed in the houses in winter care for the beds in summer, prepare all new beds for shrubbery and plant them at the proper time, do all transplanting of trees and shrubs in fact all the work pertaining to the ornamental department, and the further advantage of keeping good men all the time in this department is their familiarity with the grounds and their thorough acquaintance with the needs of the place is a very great help.

In conclusion I would say if you have a greenhouse or intend to have one and can manage it on these lines that are suggested, I think success is yours. If you only want it merely for the sake of being in line with others, and cannot manage it intelligently be it one house or many, by all means never have one.
 

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 9th Annual Convention
Richmond, VA
September 18, 19 and 20, 1895

To obtain the best and most satisfactory result from trees and shrubs in connection with cemetery planting is one of more than usual importance.  We have only to look around us in many cemetery grounds to recognize how desirable improvement, from a special standpoint, and by a judicious selection and arrangement of cemetery trees and shrubs becomes. It is generally found as time rolls on, that a large proportion of the trees originally planted are where they should never have been, and as a consequence, have to be cut away before they have really served any useful purpose. The great object of modern cemetery planting is not so much to afford shade, form screens or accomplish other objects of practical importance, as it is that the beautiful picture presented by a skilled display of trees, shrubs and flowers should rob death of the many terrors which the ignorance and superstitions of olden times surrounded it.

The modern idea of a cemetery is not so much that the grave is the end of all as it is that it is the beginning of a new career of happiness which we are taught the new life is to be. The earliest idea of paradise was that of a beautiful garden, and it is impossible to rob the paradise of the future of the same surroundings. The modern cemetery is, therefore, the ideal garden of the future, so far as it is possible for the human intellect to accomplish; and it should be the aim to make pleasurable the visits of the living, by making beautiful the resting places of the dead, leading the mind from gloomy thoughts such as ancient cemeteries fostered; but this beautiful garden must necessarily be subservient to practical details. It is impossible to accomplish anything in this world, that is not a financial success and there is no reason why financial success and the ideal cemetery garden cannot both go hand in hand. And, in fact, the financial aspects require close consideration in connection with the adornment of the grounds. In the planting of the cemetery, therefore, the possible desires of future lot holders should be considered. I knew once of a cemetery which prided itself on the number of rare trees it contained, and which had among its arboreal treasures one of the finest specimens of the Cedar of Lebanon to be found in the United States. The majority of lot holders would have been proud to have possessed such a rare gem. Not so, however, the one who owned it at the time in mind. The superintendent of the company was amazed when the lot holder came one day to insist on cutting down the tree, because it shaded over the grave and moss grew on his marble monument. Determined to save his tree, the superintendent had to make arrangements to give the owner a large price for his lot and sell him another one, and have the interred removed rather than have his beloved tree taken away. Such occurrences as this cannot always be foreseen, but they may be sometimes, and thought should be given in the arrangement and planting of cemeteries to the possibility of such unpleasant occurrences. With this end in view, it would seem desirable, therefore, that portions of the grounds should be reserved expressly for planting in order to beautify and make as nearly as possible an ideal garden spot, while that portion devoted to the lot holders should be as free from planting as would be consistent with the necessary landscape effect. By the judicious selection of these spots, a general landscape effect would be produced which is lacking in very many cemeteries, even in those of recent beginning.

I have frequently felt that sufficient importance has not been attached to the artistic arrangement and planting of the entrance to the cemetery. It was with great pleasure when visiting the Forest Hill Cemetery of Boston; I saw that this had evidently been taken into consideration when the plans of the cemetery were drawn. Who having driven along that broad, sweeping drive, planted on both sides with most beautiful specimens of Blue Spruce, Nordman Fir and other choice evergreens, supplemented with banks of Rhododendrons, Azaleas and handsome thickets of shrubs, and on up through the ivy-covered archway, has not felt that he was indeed entering a beautiful Paradise! I really believe that more attention should be given to the approach to, and the entrance of the cemetery grounds proper, for it is there that visitors get their first impression and first impressions are always the most lasting.

Perhaps this was more impressed upon my mind when I visited Forest Hill, because it was only a few days before this that I saw another cemetery in western New York, where the entrance was directly from the street, through the conventional gateway with its stern granite posts and iron railings. Not but what the grounds of this cemetery were very artistically arranged, but the entrance to it did not give me the same feeling of rest that I experienced when I visited Forest Hill. Yet the entrance to the cemetery of which I speak could very easily have been arranged so as to give one the idea of entering a beautiful park, simply by placing the entrance proper a little distant from the street, and massing a number of choice evergreens, trees and shrubs on both sides of its sweeping driveway.

It is not my intention to go into the details of how to plant a cemetery, because that is the province of a landscape gardener; I merely wish to throw out a few hints or points which to me seem to be frequently overlooked, and this question of an artistically planted entrance is, I think, one that particularly needs attention. It seems to me that it is your duty, gentlemen, to let no opportunity escape to instruct your lot holders how to keep in touch with the improved and more advanced aims of the modern cemetery. Every one is prone to do a certain thing because custom has made it popular and this is as true in cemetery matters as in everything else.  The huge marble or granite shaft, rarely an object of beauty and sometimes but a mere display of wealth, is usually erected with the best intentions, and its use is still a custom mainly because it is believed to be the most fitting thing to do and lot holders have not learned a more advanced idea. And this is just where the question arises - What is the most advanced idea by which we can satisfy that desire to do something to show how the dead are missed or loved? Would not the planting of rare trees and plants be more fitting and bear testimony to our love to a far greater extent than does the erection of monuments? Do not visitors at a cemetery show more real love for the trees and flowers than they do for a block of marble or granite, upon which more frequently they look with more curiosity than respect? There is no doubt that our dead soldiers are more honored and the living more inspired by the strewing of flowers annually on their graves, than they would be by mere monuments alone. We must get lot holders to remember with us that beautiful trees and shrubs produce beautiful thoughts, and keep us, as it were, in communion with those we have lost, and that trees, shrubs and flowers are, therefore, more fitting than monuments. The most choice and beautiful evergreens that could be selected would cost but a small portion of the value of a monument, and would leave a handsome fund to be placed in the hands of the superintendent for the annual care necessary to keep the lot in a beautiful condition.

I understand that no marble monument or headstone marks the spot of the famous Nicholas Longworth, one of the pioneers in the industrial development of Cincinnati, and possibly the father of modern strawberry culture, but that he sleeps beneath the spreading branches of a noble elm tree.

I think that you will all agree with me that the time is here for some changes in this direction. Many of you have already passed rules forbidding the erection of marble copings, iron railings, and I think in some cases tall headstones. A few years ago this would not have been possible, but today the people have more advanced ideas, and through your teachings are becoming willing to discard these things. Even in the matter of headstones and monuments they are showing a desire to design them after ideas more natural than the marble shaft and square or rounded top headstone. This is shown by the imitations of tree trunks, and boulders now frequently seen in cemeteries. The monument in Harleigh Cemetery near the main entrance representing a column of stones, doubtless attracted the attention of many of you and each of you perhaps have in the cemeteries which you superintend, monuments, the erection of which has been suggested by some seemingly appropriate object in nature. It is but a step from the imitation of nature to the real, and I firmly believe that the transition would not be so difficult of accomplishment as one might suppose. Let but a few of your lot holders start the work and others will quickly follow. It is probable that the idea may be too radical for its full accomplishment at an early date, but I have no doubt but what it will come in time just as other reforms have been adopted after persistent efforts have been made to bring them about.

It is always a Source of regret that there is not more desire for more meritorious trees and shrubs in cemetery planting. Why should quantities of Arbor-Vitae, Norway Spruce, Austrian or Scotch Pine be used, when the more rare and vastly more beautiful Nordman Fir, Oriental Spruce, Englemans Spruce, Douglas Spruce and the superb Colorado Blue Spruce and Swiss Pine could be used to as great advantage? It certainly should not be because the first named are cheaper, for first cost in planting should not be a consideration, as the work is to last one may say forever. To be sure, there are portions of the United States where some of these named may not be hardy, but there are many that will thrive almost anywhere. The Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir, Englemans Spruce and the Picea concolor are all natives of the mountains of Colorado, and should thrive in almost any portions of the United States, unless the soil of the particular spot be unfavorable. It is not commonly known that plants which are apparently not hardy in a more northern climate than where they are indigenous prove quite so if they are protected when they are small until they become established. The most northern limit of the Magnolia grandiflora is I think North Carolina yet we in Philadelphia and vicinity have no difficulty in getting it to grow if we protect the tree for a few years until it can force roots below the frost line. There are several of these trees in Philadelphia that are not less than twenty-five feet high.

It is impossible for anyone to say positively what might or might not thrive in a certain locality. This can only be learned by the individual efforts of yourselves. Select what you believe would thrive in your soil and climate and test it for a year or two; the cost would be trifling, and every time you find something new or uncommon that will grow in your cemetery, you will have added a new subject of interest to your grounds.

Of late years the planting of evergreen beds has become quite popular; and in many of the more recently designed cemeteries and, in fact, in a number of the older ones, numerous beds are now planted. There is scarcely any form of Spruce, Fir, Arbor-Vitae or Retinospora that cannot be used in this connection, as by frequent trimming, even the larger growing sorts can be kept within reasonable bounds, and at the same time a much finer color will develop from the constant pruning. The great labor and cost of planting large beds of greenhouse plants annually have had much to do with the advancement of the evergreen bed,--as in the latter case the first cost is the greatest one.

During the last few years there have been many introductions of plants from Japan which have been found to be extremely hardy, and also many from Europe and remote parts of our own country, and it may be desirable to mention a few of these that would doubtless be valuable for cemetery work. The Cercidiphyllum, a Japanese tree, has proven hardy in many sections of the country where it has been tried. It is a pyramidal tree, but rather more spreading than either the Lombardy Poplar or the Pyramidal Oak. It seems particularly adapted to heavy soils, and especially to low and damp situations, where it makes quite a strong and rapid growth. The Kolrcuteria is a Chinese tree, making a low, spreading growth.  In July it is densely covered with very large panicles of yellow flowers and is particularly attractive at that time. It is not a new tree, but rather uncommon. One of the prettiest trees adapted to cemetery planting which has recently been introduced is the Styrax Japonica, few things can be more beautiful than the pearly white flower, abundantly produced in the early part of July. The Pterostyrax hispidum is also a valuable addition, a rather spreading tree, of moderately rapid growth, and covered in May with drooping racemes of white flowers entirely covering the tree. This I think will become extremely popular, when it is thoroughly well known.

Of improved varieties of our native trees, nothing seems to have become more popular than the forms of Cornus florida, the red flowered and the weeping. These with the parent plant seem to be adapted to all soils, situations and climates, and consequently are found largely in all cemeteries. The red flowered form is particularly beautiful in spring when covered with bloom, though later, as with the other two, when it assumes its varying tints of autumn coloring, few plants exceed it in gorgeousness.

The recent introductions among shrubs are too numerous to mention, doubtless they have been brought to your notice many times. A class of plants which have sprung into great prominence in a short period is hardy perennials and they need more than a passing word, indeed, a whole chapter could be written of the many useful positions they might occupy in our ornamental planting. A class of plants which after planting become more and more beautiful every year as the roots become stronger, and which, by judicious selection of varieties give a continuation of bloom from early spring to late fall and exist in form from those of low and dwarf habit to plants making a growth from five to six feet are what perennials comprise. It would be useless for me to attempt to name desirable varieties, as this would depend upon the soil and location where the particular bed is to be planted, but I can assure you that you would never regret the use of these plants in your work, and would find the study of varieties particularly adapted to your necessities of great interest to you.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 8th Annual Convention
Philadelphia, PA
September 11, 12 and 13, 1894

The desirability of planting flowers in cemeteries is a very debatable question, and full of interest to superintendents, so much depending upon the surroundings.

By flowers is meant annuals, perennials and other flowers used in florists work.

Let us take a burial ground conducted strictly upon the lawn system, say for instance, Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, where every surrounding indicates quietness and repose; the beautifully kept lawns, or open spaces surrounded by, or dotted with trees and shrubs bearing foliage of different hues, and shades of green. Each of these lawns or spaces are beautiful pictures in themselves, the trees being planted to throw light and shade on the sward heightens the beauty of the picture, and the effect upon the spectator is soothing and commands silent admiration. The very somberness of the surroundings indicates repose, and the mind immediately associates itself with the idea of the suitability of the cemetery as a final resting place. Beds planted with brightly colored flowers upon such lawns would be extremely out of harmony with the surroundings, and would not be desirable.

Flower planting, no matter how artistically the work is done, is palpably artificial, and in the majority of cemeteries, out of place. A modern cemetery should appear as natural as possible. Imagine a nicely graded section adorned with trees and shrubs; the landscape artist has expended his energies in making it appear as perfectly natural as possible. A lot owner, whose portion is probably in the most prominent part, conceives the idea of having bed upon, or a border around his lot; the graves are also adorned with plants until the lot has the appearance of what a brother superintendent justly describes as a crazy patch-work quilt. No doubt the work is artistic, it does not harmonize with the surroundings, and to the trained eye of a landscape gardener the effect is harsh in the extreme. Lot owners, as a rule, care nothing for the harmonious appearance of the whole. To the individual lot is what they desire to call attention.

One great aim of a cemetery superintendent should be to educate the people to the fact that "in simplicity there is beauty;" that a cemetery should look natural and park-like, and that the general appearance of the whole should be studied, rather than any particular spot. A stupendous task, more especially, in localities where the residents migrated from parts where the modern cemetery system is unknown. To their minds the old country churchyard, with its heterogeneous mass of flowers and vegetation is beautiful, and exactly what a burial ground should be. A few days ago the writer counted no less than 34 plants of different varieties, including mint upon a four-foot grave. Nothing can persuade the owner that it is not the most beautiful grave in the cemetery.

To prevent this class of ornamentation will require stringent rules, the enforcement of which means unpopularity, and few officials care to have their cemeteries unpopular. Several who have tried arbitrary rules in this direction have had to modify them in obedience to public feeling.

There are many first class cemeteries where flower planting is extensively practiced, these are now being styled “flower garden cemeteries”. The question of the desirability of flower planting is settled as far as they are concerned.

There are also burial grounds where flower planting would prove an improvement, but these places can scarcely be classed among the lawn cemeteries. They are simply grave yards, no great amount of landscape work having been lavished on their construction, and the management “a sort of     go-as-you-please”.

Then again, there is the dollars and cents side of the question. In the majority of cemeteries, both large and small, the desire to make money is paramount, and what should be has to give way to the mighty dollar. So few can afford to sacrifice cash to sentiment, and as most cemeteries are conducted for the money there is in them, flower planting will be encouraged. It is business, simply business.

Where flower planting is considered desirable, study should be given to the use, as much as possible, of dwarf growing plants and such as bear flowers, quiet in color, for in few instances do the brighter colors harmonize with the surroundings of a burial ground. For cemetery work nothing looks worse than a bed containing a mixture of tall growing plants, such as dahlias, lilies, salvia, chrysanthemums, hollyhocks and others too numerous to enumerate. Pretty effects can be obtained with dwarf growing plants, especially when massed, and they are not so visible from a distance, therefore their appearance is not so striking, nor is the appearance of the lawn so broken as by their taller brethren.

In cemeteries where flower growing is encouraged a spirit of emulation soon creeps in, and lot owners try to out-vie each other in their efforts to have their lots look nice. To the great joy of the florist who acquiesces in the good work and soon the lawns are covered with all manner of designs, regardless of the surroundings, till oft times, the whole resembles a wild garden in its profusion of bright colored blooms. These beds soon become dried and withered blotches in the landscape, especially during the heat of summer, unless kept well watered each day, meaning more joy for the florist, who, of course, has to be paid additional for watering.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 7th Annual Convention
Minneapolis, MN
August 22, 23 and 24, 1893
 

Some of the things I may say could undoubtedly be better said by some of you, for I know full well that in the growing of trees and plants, many of the members of this association have attained to a rare degree of skill and taste. I hope, however, to interest you in some phases of tree-growing in a climate that is well-known for the frequency and severity of its periods of drought and its long cold winters.

In this climate we lose far more plants from the drying out of the soil, than from the cold atmosphere. In proof of this, most of you can recall that the greatest losses of young trees have occurred in winters following extremely dry autumns.

Therefore the problem of raising trees successfully here is largely one of how to overcome most successfully the droughts to which we are subjected. This is the first part of my subject, and I divide it under the several heads of:

The management of the soil; the selection of the trees and the treatment of the surface of the land around the trees and shelter to protect from drought. 

The proper management of the soil will vary as much as soils differ from one another, but in dry locations, we must try to have as good a supply of retentive material around the roots as it may be practicable to obtain. This may properly consist of clay, or material containing much humus, or of both combined. Nothing is better than the sad from clayey land.

In the selection of trees, there is much to be considered, even after the kind is decided upon. As a rule, seedlings which have not had their tap root seriously cut, grow faster, develop into better trees, and are less affected by drought, than those which are much root-pruned, or grown from cuttings. The cottonwood is a good example of this point, and it will be found with this tree that seedlings are much longer lived than cutting plants when grown in the dry soil of our western prairies or in similar situations elsewhere.

As a rule in dry situations, it will be found that small plants with the root undisturbed are far better than are much boasted nursery-grown trees with fibrous roots. Then, too, we must get the roots down deep, and in very dry locations I would often plant so that the roots will be 15 inches deeper than they naturally grew.

The box-elder is one of our hardiest trees, and is seldom, if ever, regarded as tender, yet when grown from seed collected in Southern Missouri, it does not stand well in this section.

The Missouri black walnut is not as hardy as that which was formerly quite abundantly grown in the river bottoms of the southern part of this state. The same I believe to be true of the hard maple, hackberry, red cedar and many other trees. It is also my belief that the Rocky mountain evergreens grown from seed raised on the eastern slopes, where the parents have for ages endured a trying climate, and all the more tender plants have been sifted out, are far more desirable for growing in our northern states than those which have come from the moist, milder and more equable climate of the western ranges. I have recently gone to some considerable pains to get my hard maples from the northern section of this state, for I believe them the hardiest. These statements simply show what the most casual observer must have noted, that there is much in a good pedigree and that there is transmission of qualities of hardiness in the vegetable as well as in the animal kingdom, and that we should think of them in selecting trees and plants. In fact, the qualities of inheritance extend through all organic matter.

The treatment of the surface soil around trees planted on dry land is a matter that calls for much careful attention. The American public has become educated to thinking that a blue-grass sod in such places should extend close up to the trunks of the trees. In a few years this may become so thick and solid that it will shed water nearly as perfectly as a shingled roof. This is an unnatural condition, and under such circumstances plants cannot reach any great degree of development in dry situations. Where trees naturally make a good growth in dry locations, the surface of the soil is covered with a considerable thickness of leaves and branches that have fallen to the ground. These retard the water and allow it to percolate into the ground and reach the roots of the trees. It also prevents evaporation from the surface soil and keeps the surface soil cooler. For instance, this season the strawberry bed at the experiment station has given far better returns than others in the immediate vicinity, and this success was largely due to the practice of heavily mulching, the space between the rows with straw.

At any time during the severe drought, which has prevailed for a considerable period, the soil under the mulch could readily be rolled into pellets, while in adjacent rows, not mulched, the soil was very dry. Analysis of the soil, four inches from the surface, showed that which had been mulched contained 24.3 % of water, while that which was not mulched had 18 % of water. Of the soils three inches from the surface, the mulched contained 20.6 % of water and that not mulched 15.5%. In either case, the mulch increased the amount of water contained in the soil under it 33⅓%.  This is equivalent to an increase of 2.2 quarts of water to each cubic foot of soil, which is equivalent, where a tree is mulched for five feet on all sides, to an increase of 44.3 gallons of water in its upper one foot of soil under the mulch, and there is, probably, nearly as much increase in the second foot of soil. Yet in this case, the soil which was not mulched was undoubtedly near enough to be considerably affected by the water in the mulched rows. The surface soil of some other land on the farm was found to contain only 5% of moisture at the same time. It is probably fair to assume that the mulched land contained at least 60% more moisture than that not mulched.

This is a great variation, and often makes the difference between success and failure in growing trees and plants.

People may complain that a mulch is unsightly; but it can often be covered up to great advantage with hardy shrubbery, which also aids the retention of water by shading the ground and protecting it from drying winds. We are apt not to appreciate the value of undergrowth around trees. This is nature's way, and we would do well to follow her in it many times. For covering the mulch symphoricarpos, the hardier spireas, flowering currants, buffalo berry and many other hardy plants are suggested as being desirable; and when properly grouped make pleasing contrast. The best material for mulch will vary with that which is easiest to obtain. Hay, straw, bogasse, coal ashes and hardwood sawdust are good; but any material which is a good nonconductor will answer the purpose.

The importance of shelter, by this I mean wind-breaks, can hardly be overestimated. It has been clearly shown that evaporation under the influence of the wind is dependent not only on the temperature and degrees of the same, but also on its velocity, which if impeded, reduces the rate of evaporation. Careful experiments made by the U. S. Signal Service in 1887, showed that with the temperature of the air at 84° and a relative humidity of 50%, evaporation, with the wind blowing at five miles an hour, was a little more than twice what it was in calm. At 15 miles an hour, the wind would evaporate about five times as much water as in a calm atmosphere of the same temperature and humidity. These figures state in exact terms the value of shelter belts and many other similar observations could be given to show the value of wind-brakes.

This protection is sometimes best given by a wind-break. It certainly may be given by planting in groves where the trees protect one another from the wind and sun. Newly transplanted trees will often be greatly helped by covering their trunks with hay, straw or other material that will keep off the wind and sun. The hard maple is found in the extreme northern limit of this state in large quantities, forming great forests, yet even at Lake City, 300 miles south of this limit, is liable to serious injury to its trunk, and is not considered a safe street tree, unless the trunk is shaded. The same is more or less true of the bass-wood, which is greatly improved by covering its trunk. The mountain ash makes a large tree 200 miles north of this city and yet, here, is liable to sun scald if its trunk is not protected. I have made a considerable study of this subject and have always found the bark much healthier and fresher when protected than when exposed.

To sum up this matter, I would say, in dry locations it is of the utmost importance to have a retentive soil, to mulch and to protect the whole plant from wind and the trunk from the sun as far as possible.

In the extreme north, we do not have the variety to use in grouping which is found in milder climates, but by careful management we can produce very pleasant contrasts with the material we have at hand, and there is no need, even here, of any great sameness in plantings.

Among the larger trees that are most useful for planting along our drives, is, first of all our American white elm, which will endure greater extremes of temperature and moisture than any of the fast-growing larger trees and is the best of all for general use, but it is well to vary this occasionally by planting a few sycamores, or even a whole drive, with the rock and the slippery elm.

The English elm I do not consider hardy enough for planting in this climate. The sugar and soft maple are both good; the latter being especially desirable for quick effects on retentive land where not too much exposed. The Norway maple is unreliable. The hack-berry is a rival of the white elm for planting in good soil; but in dry situations it is not so reliable.

The green ash is the hardiest of its kind; the white is not so well adapted to severe conditions, yet in favorable locations it makes a fine tree.

The box elder is rather too small for general street planting but for drives or alleys, especially in trying situations it is one of the best trees.

The poplars and willows are generally neglected; but some of those introduced from Russia, and a few of our natives, could often be used to good advantage. Among the best of these are the certinensis, and laurel-leaved poplars, and the white and Russian golden and laurel-leaved willows. These are of rapid growth, very desirable as pioneer trees, and of great value in producing pretty effects on the edges of timber plantings.

I fear there is a general tendency to neglect the oaks on account of their slow growth, but in every large planting there should be a judicious mixture of the trees of this genus. They will grow in almost any situation and develop in size much more rapidly than we think, and always command attention. As for myself, I always feel like taking off my hat to a fine oak. The best of all is the Burr or Over-cup oak, which is one of the most magnificent trees in form, foliage and hardiness in the world. Then the scarlet oak is a very desirable tree. No other plant approaches it in beauty of autumn coloring, and it soon becomes large enough to give good landscape effects, and it may be transplanted with considerable certainty if nursery grown.

Among the smaller trees of special merit are the American canoe birch, the European birch and its variety of cut leaves. They are especially desirable for effective grouping in moist land, and to contrast against a back ground of evergreens.

The Balleana poplar is a form of the silver poplar, with a close, upright, distinct and pretty habit, and as hardy as the ordinary white poplar. It is destined to be popular as a specimen tree, where a bright; striking effect is wanted. An occasional white poplar is also desirable.

The Catalpa is worth planting in a small way in very favorable locations on account of its distinct foliage and beautiful flower clusters; but it is unreliable.

The mountain ash is pretty at all times, and is a satisfactory tree as far north as Fargo, and can be used to great advantage along the borders of groves to enliven them with its bright flower clusters in spring, and its fruit clusters in autumn.

The oil-berry (Elaeagnus Augustifolis) is a very hardy small tree and desirable for its pretty habit and downy light green colored foliage.

The Kentucky coffee tree, with its large, conspicuous compound leaves, is valuable for variety and occasional use in good locations.

The Butternut, too, may be used for variety, and for general use should take precedence over the black walnut, which is only reliable in the best locations.

Van Gert's golden poplar, if used occasionally, gives a bright pleasing effect to the landscape by its pleasant contrast with trees of dark foliage, but if used too largely the effect is sickly and unpleasant.
Among the willows, the Russian golden is far superior to the common form. It can be used to great advantage in enlivening the landscape of the late winter and early spring months. The laurel-leaved is especially pleasing with its large, bright, glossy foliage; and can often be used for brightening the effect of more somber kinds.

Salix Regalis is hardy here and is a beautiful, graceful tree with white, silvery foliage. On account of its rapid growth, it is very valuable for an immediate effect.

The Conifers are especially good for winter effects.     They do much the best here when grouped, and a much stronger effect is produced in this way than by single specimens. The ground around them should be kept clear of grass, and if practicable they should be mulched.

When once established such trees as the white spruce, Scotch, Norway and dwarf pine, red cedar and arbor vitae will stand well in almost any location. These are the hardiest of our evergreens, and are generally satisfactory.

I think the dwarf pine is the hardiest of the pines, and the best for a dry situation. It is especially valuable for outer specimens of evergreen beds.

The Juniper sabina, or trailing juniper, is one of the neatest of all for a low evergreen. It is pretty when allowed to assume its natural habit, and by pruning can be made to take on almost any low form.

Among arbor vitaes, the common form and the pyramidal are very satisfactory. Those with either golden or silver foliage have not done well here.

Of the Rocky Mountain evergreens, our best is the Picea Pungens, which is hardy enough for us and is certainly very desirable for fine effect among evergreens.

The Picea Concolor is somewhat unsatisfactory. The Douglass spruce is doing nobly, and is destined to be popular for favorable locations. It grows much faster than the Picea Pungens, and its form as well as its color is very pleasing.

The Pinus ponderosa or Bull pine is of promising hardiness, and will probably prove valuable in dry situations. The Norway spruce is good, but does not hold on like the white spruce. The Hemlock is a little uncertain, and needs a favorable place to do well; but adds much by its grace and beauty to the groups in which it is placed.

The Retinosporas, with which such charming effects are produced in more favorable locations, are almost useless here, and we must get along without them.

Among the shrubs there are a multitude of kinds that suggest themselves and a few are worthy of special notice in this connection. The Caraganas are generally neglected in this country, and yet they are among the hardiest plants in the world, and in Russia they are used as pioneer plants to prepare the land for tree growth. They have a very pretty habit. The young foliage is especially delicate and pretty, and the yellow flowers make a bright and pleasant contrast in the spring. Our best Cornus is the native one with red bark, (Cornus stolonifera), and it is of much value for enlivening shrubberies in winter and is a good plant at all times.

The hardy hydrangea does well here, and if it did require some coddling to make it grow it would be well worthy of it. It is the most popular shrub grown. The Polish privet is the only one that stands even fairly well, but is hardly worth growing. The bush honeysuckles and lilacs are successful everywhere and are grand shrubs.

The Syringas do fairly well, but are peculiarly liable to injury from drought. The P. Columbian is a new form with large white flowers that I think, will prove a great addition to our flowering plants.

The shrubby Cinquefoil (P. fruticosa), is one of the best and hardiest under shrubs, and its bright yellow flowers add to its attractiveness.

Many of the sumacs are hardy, and though somewhat coarse, their rich autumn coloring is a special inducement for growing them.

The Missouri flowering currant is the best of its class, and is a grand shrub which never fails. The Alpine currant may be used in a small way.

Broad leaved evergreens do not thrive.

Rosa rugosa is perfectly hardy with us, and most satisfactory as a shrub. It is not well known as it should be. It is valuable for effective grouping or as a specimen plant.

Of the Elders, the native red-berried form, though somewhat coarse, is very useful in many places, and is conspicuous in flowers and in fruit. The golden elder is a beautiful thing and almost indispensable for enlivening shrubberies, and while it is frequently killed to the ground in winter, it is generally very satisfactory.

Of the Spireas, the Van Houten is the best; but Obovata, Fortunei, Lanceolata and Lobifolis are all good. The delicate Thunbergii is too tender to be satisfactory here. The golden spirea, though no longer put in that class by botanists, is the most satisfactory golden-leaved plant we have.

The Buffalo-berry, (Sheperdia argentea), is a large, clean, graceful and excellent shrub and as hardy as any. There is some difference in the color of specimens. It is not well known, but is destined to be largely used as an ornamental plant. The light green color of the leaves and branches may be used in striking contrast to evergreens and dark-foliaged plants.

The Snowberry is so hardy it may be used in almost any location.

The Tamarix Amurensis is a beautiful, graceful shrub, with feathery foliage and pretty small flowers. While it generally kills to the ground in winter, yet it starts so quickly in the spring that it is very desirable for the edgings of shrubberies. The Snow-ball is well known and satisfactory in good locations. The original form of it, the high bush cranberry, has the advantage over it in bright fruit, which holds on well into the winter, and I like it much better than the snow-ball.

The prickly ash is a good plant for giving variety to lawn planting.

The dwarf June-berry is a nice, quiet looking shrub in the edges of groups and shrubberies, and its pretty flowers are admired by all.

The common buck-thorn is useful and makes either a specimen plant or a good low hedge. Of its hardiness, Prof. Prendergast, who has much experience with it in a very trying location, says: "Plant without fear."

By the use of these plants we may secure a good effect the year around, and even in winter, have our parks and cemeteries objects of beauty and admiration

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 7th Annual Convention
Minneapolis, MN
August 22, 23 and 24, 1893

Ladies and gentlemen, I feel that I owe you a little bit of apology in appearing here with what comparatively little I have to show you. I had expected to show slides, which I always figure save me a lot of work because what the slides show I do not have to tell you, but unfortunately for me, at least, my slides apparently were lost on the way and have not shown up and in the very short time allowed me for tracing the slides and finding other illustrated material to show you I was unable to find very much. At this season of the year most of the material of this type is out on the road at fairs and other similar places. However, I will try to make up for the lack of actual material by explaining as we go along.

You are particularly interested, I assume, in the question of the relation of this insect to industry which you people are representing, and I will try to confine my general remarks to that particular phase of the proposition. Before going much further I just want to pass around two mounts, one on each side, which show the insect itself in the various stages and two small samples of leaves showing the general way in which it attacks the foliage.

Now a little about this insect and how it got here, and so forth. As you surmise from the name of the insect "Japanese Beetle", it is a native of the islands of Japan and of a certain few nearby islands in that part of the world. So far as we know the insect arrived in this country prior to 1916, and probably somewhere around 1910 to 1912, as a grub or soft grub about the roots of Japanese plants probably the Iris or Azalea or a similar variety, the roots of which come in the soil. It was first found in New Jersey in the vicinity of Riverton which is about nine miles above Camden, on the Jersey shore of the Delaware River in the summer of 1916. At the time two inspectors of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture found it, not knowing what it was, but merely recognizing that it was something new to them and not a habitat found in this part of the country as far as they knew, and after a. little searching around there, being enthusiastic collectors as well as official inspectors, they tried to find as many individuals as they could to work with it. They found in the neighborhood of a dozen or so within a quarter mile radius of this same field. It happened to be along the edge of a little creek running through there where they found them. Four years after that, in 1920, one man collected in about two hours' time six quarts of the beetles. Now there are relatively 3500 beetles in a pint or 7000 in a quart so you can judge from that something of the increase in numbers of the insect since that time. The insect has spread annually, as we believe, at a definite rate from the original point of infestation, at the rate of five to ten miles per year in all directions. That we believe to be the normal actual spread of the insect in new environment. The map I have here which I will open up (does so); shows color variations which indicate the gradual spread of the insect from the original point of infestation. You will notice the different colors represent the spread year by year from the original point of infestation, which point is in the centre of the map here, and a scale of the map is an inch to a mile. You can get a good idea from that as to the rate of spread. This is the City of Philadelphia here (indicating) the Delaware River running up to Trenton, up here towards New York; this being Riverton right up here, and the original point of infestation about three miles out from the town. That represents, as well as we have any example, the comparatively steady spread of an insect in a new locality, steady and uniform, and we do not expect to be able to prevent that yearly spread, the actual spread of the insect. At the present time the infested area, or rather up to the beginning of the present season. the middle of June, the infested area covered 770 square miles, the increase being from less than one-half a square mile in 1916. So far as is known the insect does not occur any place in the world other than this infested area in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and its original home country in and near the islands of Japan; and one phase of our work, namely, quarantine enforcement is aimed to prevent as far as possible the widespread distribution of this insect.

Now a little as to the life history; you are more or less acquainted with a class of insects closely related to this Japanese Beetle, that is, the May beetles or June beetles, as they are commonly called. This Japanese insect belongs to the same general family of Mayor June beetles. If we start at the present season for instance to trace the life history throughout the year just now we are in the tail end of the beetle season. At the present time the progeny of the present beetle generation, the eggs and grub which have hatched from that, is in the ground feeding. They will remain here all winter and until next spring as a grub, increasing in size, at least increasing up to real cold weather and then hibernating for the winter and recommencing growth in the spring up until we will say about the middle of May. Then there is a transformation, still under the ground, to what we know as the pupa stage. For instance, you are acquainted with the June beetle caterpillar, the beetle in the intermediate stage that is the cocoon, it is the intermediate stage. This stage lasts apparently about two weeks. The earliest beetles commence hatching between the 10th and 15th of June. Throughout the rest of the summer then there is a continuous hatching of the beetles. But the height of the season is from the latter part of June through July and early August that completes the life history for the year. There is but one generation per year so far as we know. A single female beetle will lay on an average of 30 to 60 eggs during her laying period which extends practically through the season of the beetle flight from the latter part of June until early August.

Now, to give you an idea of the ability of this species to carry itself through and to show how it withstands adverse conditions.  It does not breed as rapidly as some other insects but it has practically 100 percent of young that come through to maturity. To illustrate that point I will cite this one example. Two or three years back we were interested in finding out how many eggs would hatch and mature, so for a number of days we collected 100 eggs a day for a period of three weeks, taking them from different places in the soil and we averaged 99 or slightly better than that in the average of each 100 eggs hatched and the grub surviving. In another test we collected 1200 eggs in one day from a number of points, brought them into the laboratory, each egg was put in a small tin an inch in diameter, in soil and kept to determine the hatching, and we were able to hatch out exactly 1200 larvae from the 1200 eggs. In other words, the insect in all stages is very resistant to adverse conditions, which explains why we have such an increase in the comparatively few years it has been here.

Now a little bit about the habits of the insect: The more injurious stage is the parent beetles. We have records of their feeding on something over 200 different species of plants. I think it is about 220 including useful and cultivated varieties as well as non-useful weed varieties. There are certain different preferences they make. They show a preference for certain weeds such as smart weed, alder and mallow.  Unfortunately, however, their preference is not strong enough to allow them or to keep them feeding on the weed varieties only and there seems to be a notable tendency, as the insect becomes better established, to leave the weed varieties for the cultivated varieties. There is only one cultivated class, ornamental, that is distinctly free of attack from the insect and that is the conifer group, arbor vitae, pines, hemlocks, all that class. We have no record of their feeding on that class of plants. Now, from your standpoint it is quite possible that the grub, or young form, will be equally, if not more seriously destructive because of the fact that they feed on the roots of plants, particularly grass. Now, they are comparatively a small grub and a few grubs in the sod we will say don't make any appreciable difference. I mean by that 100 to 150 per square yard. It sounds quite a few but from our angle it is not. Now they begin to be real serious when they run up to three to five hundred grubs to the square yard. Under these conditions you can and will get serious injury to the sod, particularly in the fall, and especially if that is followed by a hard winter there will be a good deal of dying out of the sod. Now, when they get what we call real dense, that is, over 500 to the square yard, then you are pretty sure to get serious injury. To give you an idea of how high they may go, a year ago this fall the highest infestation we found was 1035 grub in a measured square yard in the golf course at Riverton. That is a good many grubs. That figure is not simply based on one examination but an average of several in the most heavily infested places. We thought that was about the limit that could be reached but an examination already this fall, just beginning there, seems to promise a figure running up close to 1500. You can realize that that degree of infestation may be called a heavy infestation and undoubtedly will give lots of trouble.

Now, a little about the work we are doing at Riverton because we all have run into at least the quarantine phase of it at one time or another; if you have not, you will, especially in the purchase of nursery stock from this part of the country. The work is divided into certain main phases: For instance, part has to do with the study of the life history, the habits of the insect in, the new environment, the changes from year to year as it becomes better acclimated, and so forth. Another line has to do with the importation and distribution of parasites which we hope will eventually hold the insect in reasonable check. In Japan the insect is not of any economical importance itself. They have occasional outbreaks where it does some damage and they collect a lot by hand and destroy them; but I suppose in 100 years there has not been the amount of injury occasioned in Japan that there has been in the last two years in the heavily infested areas of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. There are two reasons for the apparent non-importance of the insect in Japan. One is the cultural practices of the country. There is practically no waste land; everything is intensively cultivated, so that the opportunities for the insect to breed in large numbers are very limited. The breeding places chosen are grass fields, pastures and waste lands in general, and, of course, around this part of the country there are plenty of them. The other reason for the lack of serious injury in Japan is the presence of native natural enemies of the insect; in other words, there are insects which prey upon it, which we commonly call parasites. These parasites we know to be present there in reasonable abundance. We have now three or four men in that part of the world who are studying the situation and sending us parasites as fast as they have material available. The parasite material is shipped to us and it is taken care of at the laboratory. Some times it comes at the time of year and at the stage where the parasites can be released immediately in the infested area. Other shipments come in such a way that the material must be carried over during the winter or at least during a season before the conditions are right for the material to be released. The ultimate object of holding this insect down to a point where it can no longer be a serious pest lies in the shipment of a sufficient sequence of parasite enemies to keep the number of the host down to a reasonable small limit. Eventually possibly certain of the native parasites existing here, the normal beetle related species to the Japanese beetle will also attack the Japanese beetle. But the main reliance must be placed upon the known natural enemies which must be brought over. Now, it will take quite a few years before the parasites can be brought to the point where they are practically proficient in keeping this pest under reasonable control. As to removing from the class of dangerous insects, we do not stress that point very much; it may be ten to fifty years; and nobody is in position to give an estimate. Meanwhile the insect is increasing and spreading and is causing damage and is going to do more. Therefore, other important phases of our work have to do with the development of methods to control the pest, not only from the standpoint of the destruction of the parent beetle itself but also for the destruction of the grubs in the soil.

The insect or beetle is quite resistant to the ordinary poisons such as arsenate of lead, Paris green, etc., that are commonly employed, or at least they are wise enough to know enough to let them alone. It is an open question as yet even whether beetles simply won't feed very much on arsenate of lead, for instance, or whether they will eat just enough arid know when it is well to stop. The fact remains that arsenate of lead, as a common insecticide, we have not yet been able to say will kill a large number of the beetles. It does give a certain amount of relief, but not many eases are very satisfactory in the prevention of injury to the foliage by simply driving the beetles from the sprayed trees to places where the spray is not present. That is a sort of backhanded way of getting at it and of course, if carried on continuously will, eventually devolve on the proposition of driving them from one place to another. We are working on that angle seeking to find a material which will kill a bulk of the insects which feed upon it, which is, safe to use on the foliage without resulting injury to the foliage and with which the cost of using is not excessive. From the standpoint of grub destruction we are also carrying on considerable work. It is possible to destroy the grub by using the sodium cyanide solution and spraying it or applying it to the infested soil. It will kill 90 to 95 percent of the grubs in the soil in the early fall while they are close to the surface. The drawback is the cost. The material runs from $60 to $75 per acre, not counting the cost of labor and the fact that special equipment is necessary to apply it. I believe that most of us will agree that the cost is excessive and certainly it is from the standpoint of the average farm land. We are concerned, therefore, in finding a cheaper method of treatment and we believe we have found a satisfactory material in a carbon disulphide emulsion which will be satisfactory at least the two years of experimental work dealing with this material have given very satisfactory results.

Another phase of the work is the quarantine. As I mentioned in the first place, we do not expect to be able to prevent the normal yearly spread of the insect, averaging between five and ten miles a year; in fact, if we had nothing but that to consider we would not have much to consider because it would take many years to go a long distance. But when we consider the fact that the insects can be spread in one year or even less, the actual spread will occur in one week through the shipment of infected nursery stock from one side of the country to the other and you realize why it is we lay so much stress upon the quarantine, a quarantine that simply restricts and controls the movement of nursery stock to places outside, does not absolutely prohibit but allows the movement only under conditions which will not spread the insect; in other words, shipments of the type which will not carry the insect are allowed, other shipments are not.
 
Now, as the time is going on, it is getting a little late, I do not want to take up any more time unless you have specific questions. I will call your attention, if interested, to the circular which has been issued or printed describing the insect, its habits, etc., of which I do not have a supply with me, but if you are interested you can get copies by simply writing us for them. This is a small circular describing the insect, its habits, and giving a colored enlargement of the beetle itself, and can be secured by addressing the Japanese Beetle Laboratory at Riverton, New Jersey, or the Department of Agriculture here at Harrisburg. Now we have gone over this rather briefly and hastily. If any of you have questions I will be very glad to answer them, if possible.
 

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 37th Annual Convention
Harrisburg, PA
August 20, 21, 22 and 23, 1923

At first sight it may seem presumptuous to talk to an audience of this character on the subject set for me, "Why the Cemetery Should Be a Garden”. The life business of so many of you is more or less a practical demonstration of the widely accepted principle indicated and looking at the matter from the viewpoint of a plain gardener, the best I can hope to do is to emphasize some of the apparent reasons and with special good fortune; stimulating afresh some thought along these lines.

What is a garden? The word has probably outgrown in this country its original etymological meaning, “an enclosed space" and might now be better described as a cultivated space especially cared for. When we recall all the thought, care and attention on devoted today to the gardens of this and other countries it is not difficult to accept this meaning. Adding to this the idea of rest, beauty, memory, faith and hope, it is not far to the great idea that is a place at once so near the human and the divine, that to very many it becomes the most hallowed spot on earth. This is not by any means a fancy picture, and I feel quite safe in the statement:

"Rest, comrades, rest and sleep
The thoughts of men shall be
As sentinels to keep
Your rest from danger free.

"Your silent tents of green
We deck with fragrant flowers
Yours has the suffering been
The memory shall be ours."

Linking up the garden idea with the cemetery, may I suggest first, that there is at least some traditional warrant for the assumption that the "sleeping place" should have the garden characteristic? Definite statement and perfectly permissible inference shows that again and again in the dim past the thought of garden "enclosure" was associated with burial. The cave in a field bought and set aside for a patriarchal burying place being used for more than one generation, at least suggests care. Again “there was a garden and in the garden a new sepulcher, there they laid him” are words covering another familiar instance of the garden tomb. Church history still further confirms the fact that for centuries the garden idea and garden care has been associated with the grounds used as last resting places. If in these early years the results were crude, they were probably not more crude than much of the other life of the age.

Horticulture in its fine development deserves to rank among any of the arts of sciences, with the result that in present day conditions we can easily find another strong reason for the statement that the cemetery should be a garden. Never in the history of the world has there been such an appreciation of and love for the beautiful in nature as there is today. Statistics on such a subject as this seem out of place, but the assertion can be easily proved by those who delight in the analytical. In this land, as well as in many others, the value of the artistic as a psychological asset is becoming a real factor in commercial life. Home life, town and city life, as well as business life demand this as a positive essential to the progress of civilization. Given these conditions it is not far to carry the idea to the last sleeping place, thereby claiming that to keep pace with the times the cemetery should constantly prove the presence of a real horticultural guardian. It should be artistic without being exotic, full of landscape beauty, without being a horticultural exhibition. It might well be a place where spreading lawns, shade-giving trees, blooming shrubs and the song of birds combine to make it a hallowed place for the dead, and a lovely spot for the living. Irrespective of the size of the community served a modern cemetery is almost of necessity rural. Is there not here another strong reason for the hand of the gardener where the influence on the immediate neighborhood is bound to be felt? Just as one good garden on a street is sometimes the inspiration to change the whole character of the street, the impression gathered from a real garden burial ground must be helpful in the district where it is placed. As an asset to the town or city there is some value due to the fact that being so often at one of its entrances the visitor gets right here his first and often most lasting impression. This point is worth mentioning, but I do not labor it; passing on to say a word or two on the more definite aspects of the subject.

The cemetery should be a garden because it is a place of rest. Any student of horticulture will confirm the statement that the idea of restfulness is directly associated with gardens. The best garden planners constantly have this in mind. The glaring and the gaudy both in color and form are omitted from worth while designing, and in their place there is a striving after the harmony which means variety in unity, that peacefulness of effect, which is but another name for restfulness. Landscaping has yet to be treated in this convention and I do not intrude, but I may be allowed the statement that the tendency of the best landscape gardeners is to avoid shocks and to emphasize quietness, to put an embargo on the merely artificial, that the natural may be accentuated. A true garden brings rest to practically all the senses in the very highest degree, and because of this fact I am unhesitating in the statement that man's last earthly sleeping place in its. environment may well be the most restful of all. Sentiment if you like but one of life's sentiments that we can ill afford to miss.

The association of beauty with the garden is yet another reason for the hand of the gardener in the cemetery. Beautification, merely amounting to beautification of home surroundings, is now so general that the idea has almost become an accepted principle. Next to the growing for food, the first thought about a garden is beauty. We have looked at this from a general point of view but is especially true of the individual. Both the garden and the grave have about them much of the personal touch and even granting that the sense of beauty does not invariably appear in the garden the call to beauty is nearly always felt in connection with the cemetery lot. Beauty of design, beauty of construction and beauty down to the smallest detail is increasingly demanded, and in these days when by common consent we pay every respect to our honored dead, beauty of surroundings surely has a place.

The idea of memory in this connection is so obvious that it needs hardly more than mere mention. The tree planters of one generation call for thankful remembrance by the next from an economic point of view. The garden that counts its timely decades rather than years naturally has clustered around it the most sacred memories. Whilst the almost imperishable record in granite and marble is strikingly imposing, the memory of past generations will assuredly be sweeter if it is in part associated with trees. And if in the march of time the cemeteries of the cities reach the point where they are past serving their original purpose and to some extent become city breathing places for crowded districts, the practiced hand of the gardener will be revealed where tree and shrub, grass and flower, are blending in nature's finest harmony, the place in very truth becoming a memorial to those who have passed into the unknown.

Is it too much to claim for both the garden and the cemetery that they are the homes of faith and hope? A fine text for a sermon, but I refrain from preaching. I am talking to men who can appreciate the idea, being so closely associated with both the aspects suggested, and I venture to submit that there is no profession on earth calling for more constant exercise of these two virtues than that of the man who plants. His hope in the eternal round of the seasons, his trust in the seed he sows, his confidence in the coming of seed-time and harvest bring him constantly close up to the miracles of growth. There is no labor in the universe bringing such reward, no work providing such thrills of joy, no occupation giving such a sense of completeness, content and blessing. And if this be so, I am bold to ask: Do I claim too much in the statement that the garden conception should be closely associated with the burial ground? If there is any real connection between nature and nature's God, surely it can be found where every bud and bloom, every leaf and twig, every branch and every tree, bears silent witness to the faith and hope of man in immortality. And if at times the great phrase "I am the resurrection and the Life" fall on the ears of those too stricken to hear, the humble flower at our feet stands out in glorious confirmation. The "sure and certain hope" finds its eternal witness in the very blades of grass on which we stand. So I venture to submit to you this morning these simple reasons among many others for the assumption that the cemetery should be a garden.

It is at once a pleasure and an honor to speak along these lines to a body of men who by intuition and training are so alive to these great facts, men whose life business it is to make easy some of the darkest hours of their fellows, men who spend their time trying to make the cemetery a fitting place for the living, as well as for the dead, men who have the touch of fine taste and are full of the finer feelings, and I am sure my appeal does not fall on deaf ears. The flowers of France hallowed because they grow in soil fertilized by the blood of our noblest and best-were silent witnesses to deeds of valor for the great cause of liberty and truth. Are not the same flowers a perpetual reminder as they grow in quietness round our homes and round our tombs, that man lives in deeds, not years, that high ideals and courage dignify and ennoble life, that the way of life leads through the gates of death, and that life alone is worth while which has in it the elements of chivalry, bravery, beauty and truth.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 34th Annual Convention held at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
September 7, 8, 9 and 10, 1920

The matter of insect control extends beyond the actual detecting and combating the specific pest at hand. Indeed, it should be one of the prime considerations in the planting of the tree itself, for some species of trees are much more susceptible to insect attack than others. Under the artificial conditions which many shade and ornamental trees are grown, it is essential that they be given every natural advantage possible, for without these natural advantages they are so greatly handicapped that they become an easy prey for insect hordes. After a careful study of planting, Dr. E. P. Felt of the New York State Museum has tabulated a list of these more common sorts arranged in accordance with their comparative freedom from insect injury. The list of trees together with the explanation of their arrangement is given in the following words from Dr. Felt:

The figure 3 has been placed opposite trees which are practically immune from insect injury; 2.5 indicate some damage. Trees having one somewhat serious enemy are rated at 2 and those having at least one notorious insect pest at 1.5. The species are arranged according to the comparative injury as follows:

Tree of Heaven 3 Catalpa 2
Ginkgo 3 European linden 1.5
Red Oak 2.5 American linden 1.5
Scarlet Oak 2.5 Horse chestnut 1.5
Oriental plane 2.5 Buckeye 1.5
American plane 2.5 Soft or silver maple 1.5
Tulip or tulip poplar 2.5 American elm 1.5
Sycamore maple 2 Hackberry 1.5
Sugar maple 2 Water or red elm 1.5
Norway maple 2 European elm 1
White maple 2 Scotch elm 1
Spruce 2 Cottonwood 5
White Oak 2 Carolina poplar 5
Burr Oak 2 Lombardy poplar 5
Red maple 2 Balm of gilead 5
Honey Locust 2 Yellow locust 5”

I do not wish to be understood, however, in saying that the preceding list should serve as the only guide in the selection of the trees for tree planting, since many other enter into one's consideration at that time. I merely wish it to serve as a guide for use from the standpoint of insect control other factors being equal.

Healthy, vigorous trees less liable to insect attack: It is a well known principle among both plants and animals that the weakling of the lot is more susceptible to attacks of diseases and predators than are healthy, vigorous specimens. For this reason one should be quite careful in the selection of the stock for planting. Overgrown nursery stock or planting stock taken from the woods where it may have stunned or where the opportunity to root development has not been what is should be, is quite likely to suffer severely from both insects and fungous diseases, particularly when first set. Such trees having been grown in shaded places are naturally quite subject to sunscald when set in the exposed open, and the cracked scalded areas on the trunk afford excellent points of entrance for boring larvae.

Allow space for development: Overcrowded plantings frequently make for a weakened condition among shade and ornamental trees. This is particularly likely to happen along streets where the residents plant excessive numbers of trees in order to make a show when the specimens are small. Later, as the trees grow, they hesitate to do the proper thing by way of pruning; thus we have crowded, unhealthy specimens. More over, the width of the tree belt is quite frequently wholly inadequate for the needs of the tree. Frequently we notice but a narrow strip of soil in which the trees are planted, and it is no wonder that when growing under such adverse conditions insect pests and fungous troubles find them highly susceptible hosts.

Avoid distributing the root system: Frequently trees are given an impetus toward susceptibility to insect depredations by having the root system disturbed through the lowering of the grade. Many of our most beautiful trees are highly susceptible to injury of this type since not a few of them are shallow rooting in habit when the surface of the roots is disturbed or injured, little remains to carry on the life work of the tree. Frequently the disturbing of the root system is avoided by the leaving of a mound of earth covering the roots, and if properly executed this does not prove an unsightly area. Where fills are made about trees, a well about trunk of the tree should be made of stone or bricks to retain the earth from falling about the tree trunk. The speaker has seen instances where fills of six feet have been made about trees and a well no more than six feet in diameter has saved the life of the specimen.

Protect trees in exposed areas: Insect pests and particularly trunk-boring species quite frequently make their entrance into the trunk of the tree through mechanical injuries to the bark. In street trees the most common source of these wounds is the mutilation of horses and of course with the rapid increase in the number of automobiles this menace is decreasing in corresponding measure. Nevertheless, it is still of sufficient importance to necessitate the protecting of trees grown in exposed situations, and for this purpose nothing more attractive nor efficacious has been found than the galvanized hardware cloth purchased in 15 inch rolls and of sufficient strength to make a rigid protector.

Electrical injuries: In a measure it may be said that electrical injuries aid and abet insect depredators. This, of course, does not hold true where the tree is killed outright by the current but it is highly applicable where only one or more limbs are injured or killed. This deadened portion of the tree then serves as an attractive bait for wood-boring insects which in time may spread to other parts of the tree.

Tree butchers: While he can not be classed as an insect pest, yet in the judgment of the speaker the tree butcher may rightly be considered one of our most destructive shade tree and ornamental pests. It is distressing to note the work of this class of men on fine specimens. Quite frequently trees that are a source of joy and pleasure to the neighborhood or passerby are butchered ruthlessly through mistaken ideas as to what tree trimming properly is. After some years of thought on the matter, it appeals to the speaker that we should have statutes limiting the practice of public pruners just as we have statutes limiting the practice of dentistry, veterinary medicine, materia medica, etc. The average householder is absolutely at the mercy of the public pruner and it seems to me that the owner of the tree deserves some sort of protection. He should have some way of assuring that the man who proposes to trim his trees is sufficiently trained to practice at least the principles of good tree husbandry, and it will not be long before the public demand for legislation on this point will be so great that it will be forthcoming. Such legislation would accomplish much toward doing away with the shyster practitioner just as our present excellent statutes make the practice of medical quackery highly undesirable and unprofitable.

Tree surgery: While the speaker feels rather strongly against the tree butcher, he has a very kindly feeling toward the expert tree surgeon. There is as great need for trained men to do public work in tree surgery, in the trimming of trees, the dressing of wounds, etc., as well as for public sprayers of trees. Some of the work done by the better class of tree surgeons is of most excellent character and it is a source of satisfaction to an owner who is able to restore a prized specimen on his premises after it appears that the days of the tree are numbered.

Insect pests: It is obviously impossible in the space allotted to this paper to give a detailed account of the various insect pests attacking shade and ornamental trees in the United States and Canada. Indeed, it would be almost prohibitive to attempt even to enumerate a list of these pests. A number of publications are available for this purpose in which the details of the life-history, development and control measures for the more important economic forms are considered. Just at this time there is being issued from the Ohio Station, Bulletin 332 which considers the problem in rather complete detail.

Spraying Machinery: In the successful control of the insects affecting shade and ornamental trees, one of the very necessary adjuncts is adequate preparation for spraying. The advance during the last ten years in the perfection of the spraying machinery has been little short of marvelous. During this period we have passed from the use of the common mist sprayer to what is known as the solid stream type of machine, a machine which by reason of its great capacity and the high pressure it is possible to develop with it, is able to throw the spraying liquid to a height of 100 feet, where the stream breaks into a fine mist and quickly and effectively covers the specimen under treatment. By the use of such machines the cost of spraying has been greatly decreased. It has been demonstrated in the East that 50 pounds of paste arsenate of lead dissolved in the proper amount of water and applied with one of these machines will yield almost perfect control of the gypsy and brown-tail moths. Such a performance is really little short of marvelous.

Spraying materials: Just a word about spraying material and I have finished. For most purposes, the cemetery superintendent will find three materials adequate for his needs. These are: (1) Arsenate of lead for chewing insects, ordinarily employed at the rate of 3 or 4 pounds of the paste form or 1½ to 2 pounds of the powder form to 50 gallons of water. It is applied as soon as the depredators are noticed to be at work since younger insects always are less difficult to destroy than they are when they become older and consequently more rugged. (2) Miscible oil used against scale insects and red spider in the spring before the leaves appear. It is employed at the rate of 1 gallon to 15 gallons of water. Since this material kills by contact, exceptional care should be exercised in making the work of application thorough. (3) Nicotine sulfate, used against plant lice and similar soft-bodied sucking insects during the summer months when the foliage is out. Usually this material is used at the rate of 1 part to 50 parts of water with enough soap added to make suds. The amount of soap varies according to the degree of hardness of the water but ordinarily 2 pounds to 50 gallons of the diluted nicotine sulfate is adequate.

From the publication:
“AACS - Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Convention held at Cincinnati, OH"
September 24, 25 and 26, 1919

There is no telling what those who profess to be your best friends will do to you – seemingly seeking for an opportunity to put one over on you – so that in this particular case, those who find this paper of very small value or interest – can lay the whole thing at the door of our general host Mr. William Salway – and also of our exalted ruler "Billy" Atkinson – for very evidently they have conspired to my public undoing and left me at a your mercy. I hope you will be charitable to me and forgive them.

So little can be resurrected out of the "Compost” of a cemetery green house venture that will be new to many of you and surely stale to others - that it is with some misgiving that I venture into the subject which like all good arguments has two sides, Pro and Con.

With us our experience has been one wholly worked out through several years of varying success, and having got our toes wet, we decided to dive in and get wet all over – taking the consequences.

We have found a constantly growing demand and patronage for all we have been able to produce in the line of plants, cut flowers decorations, etc. and being a cemetery greenhouse we stand well in line in the matter of funeral work and through the friendly relations of our funeral directors have considerable business turned our way, finding in the design work a valuable source of revenue. The first requisite a greenhouse must have is an intelligent, capable florist, a man who has a botanical knowledge of all plant life, their cultivation, food supply, their susceptibility to attack by countless varieties of insects and the means to combat these; a practical knowledge of the requirements in equipment and supply; to know just when to plant or propagate to insure blossom on a certain date or season and to have the executive ability to handle the exasperating help question in connection with the work. Such a man is not easily located-but when found much valued and appreciated.

You who have sought and found not in this particular can readily understand what I would convey from the experience of having had all kinds.

A man not up to these requirements should not be retained longer than his place can be filled and the change should continue until you have found a man who in at least a few of these requirements excels. A big burden is then taken from your shoulders and they get a chance to rest before the next load is placed on them-soil, climatic and atmospheric conditions have a tremendous bearing on your success.

All these must be understood and adapted to plant life otherwise you will have an inferior grade of plants to offer your trade.

I find in following the different localities of the United States that there is but little difference in the season of the general production of greenhouse and garden connected therewith perhaps from our Southland we are a little in advance of our more Northerly friends, but it is a matter of rotation each year, at this season of the year the florist is up against it-until the first cut of chrysanthemums begin and from then on through the winter months his houses are abloom with a riot of color of carnations, roses, etc., to which is added the bulbous stock so heavily imported and which since the war has been in a large measure curtailed by federal regulation, this has put a decided crimp in many of us, and will force development in this country of plants, trees, flowers and bulbs that hitherto have been so easily imported. The Roman hyacinth, the azalea of Belgium and many valuable specimens are not coming to us. This is a severe blow, added to these are many others with which you are familiar and are now forced to substitute. Many of the old fashioned flowers are coming back into use and many under a nom de plume, not recognized, but readily sought and of considerable value commercially.

High prices of every known supply has hit us a hard blow, but the adopted rule of submitting, and adding the increase of cost and production to the "ultimate consumer" seems to work and without a great big kick.

We in our business have found no lack in buying on the part of the public. Flowers became a part of the war to cheer the sick, and wounded to speak consolation to the bereft and people generally have not ceased to spend now that the war is over. The cemetery greenhouse has many advantages over outside competitors. The land usually does not have to be bought, taxes in some instances are eliminated or negligible, there is a saving in soil compost, pots, designs and labor to a certain extent which help on the credit side of the ledger.

Hardy perennials help out from the planting in many parts of the cemetery; peonies, spireas, vibernum, phlox, hydrangeas and with us in Tennessee the Grand Magnolia, for these flowers can all be used at seasons when the greenhouses are low in cut and all of these flowers are especially fine for lot and vase uses. And when combined with choice annuals find ready sale.

We began in a small way some of my good cemetery friends offering advice from their experience which has been of untold benefit and with what we have learned from our own, and hard knocks, our plant has grown and is still being added to. To so systematize the production that we may have houses adapted to all manner of cultivation. Ranges for cool bench stuff, enclosed house for forcing under any desired temperature and especially built houses for potted plants, ferns, etc.

The experience has been instructive and the result with us is looked upon as a source of revenue. We maintain a sales room in our office building which is handled by the office force. A retail flower booth in the central market house in the city, and just now we are spreading our wings a bit and installing an attractive flower shop in the lobby of our leading hotel with very up to date refrigerator, etc. We believe that we can not but make good there, the overhead being small and the opportunity large. Many of our social affairs now come to the spacious balconies and drawing rooms of our hotels as society finds entertainment much less trouble there than in the private homes where now the help question is impossible, and no "function" is quite complete without table, room or corsage decoration and we hope to feel a little of the “velvet” from this undertaking.

These city places are essential as they cater to two kinds of patronage the middle class and the upper crust, giving opportunity to dispose of surplus from the greenhouses that the regular cemetery trade does not take or require. We have found since the severe flu epidemic an increasing demand for lot and grave decoration. One of our sales ladies is in charge on Sunday, meeting the trade through the week and holding it "for us" on Sundays at our cemetery. I believe that the leading cemetery of any city can well undertake the enterprise, they are assured of large and constantly growing patronage, and it would be ill advised for a very small cemetery to undertake it.

Construction with a view to as much permanency as possible should be considered for there is less of maintenance to figure on in the future, though the first cost may be greater. Particularly so now are the prices of construction almost prohibitive, but to do the thing right your plant must be adapted to your requirements. I have purposely given no figures for now they would not be stable enough to be of use under present fluctuations. We have of course many discouraging features which make us feel sometimes that the result is too burdensome, labor problems, unnecessary waste, carelessness in a hundred ways which cut deep into the profits-overhead-maintenance of plants, tools-machinery-vehicles, etc., to constantly battle with but for our line of business-cemetery development and embellishment-I believe that a well managed and conducted greenhouse adds very much to the result as a whole, in beauty, service, utility and in a reasonable way to the revenue of the cemetery.

From the publication:
“AACS - Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Convention held at Cincinnati, OH"
September 24, 25 and 26, 1919

When your Secretary asked me to prepare a paper for your convention, I was in doubt as to the propriety of my doing so, knowing that I could not speak to you from the standpoint of one who has had a practical experience in your work in its relation to the modern cemetery. However, when he assured me that a few notes on any kindred subject would be acceptable, I thought it might be well to embrace the opportunity of calling the attention of your members to the importance of tree planting in streets and waysides. This is a subject that concerns all, while the influence which your body is able to wield in the direction of street ornamentation is very great. Without doubt each and every member of your Association is connected, either directly or indirectly with the planting and care of public trees, and recognizes the desirability of encouraging an interest in the prosecution of this work.

Recognition of the value of trees as an adornment to streets in this country dates from an early period.

In Mr. Albert Matthews’ intensely interesting address on the history of the trees of Boston Common, delivered last year before the Boston Common Society, we find that as early as March 3, 1655, interest was manifested in the preservation of trees. At a Town Meeting, held that day, an order was passed, "That whosoever shall cut, hack, or hew any of the trees planted in the Neck, shall pay for every tree so spoiled twenty shillings, the one-half to the informer, the other to the town."

On May 12, 1701, a by-law was passed, that "no person shall lop, peel, girdle, or deface any of the trees now standing or that shall hereafter be planted or set by order of the Selectmen, or by their approbation, upon any part of or place in the common ground of the town, under penalty for every such offense."

Although not so stated, it is presumable that there were public trees; but, whether or not, the order reveals to us the fact that the early pioneers of Boston recognized the value of trees as an adornment to the town and the necessity of their preservation.

In one respect we have not progressed much since that day, two hundred and forty-seven years ago; twenty-five years after the first settlement was made. We have with us today, as the early founders of Boston had, in 1655, those who "cut, hack, or otherwise ‘spoil’" trees; and it is to be feared that their numbers have increased since the days when the Puritans made the order. We have, also in goodly numbers, the small boy, with his ever ready pocket knife, to whom the smooth stem of a tree is a sore temptation---a temptation as irresistible as was the cherry tree to George Washington in his boyhood days.

Then too the trees on the curb of every street bear ghastly evidence of the gnawing of generations of unhitched horses; indeed, it is not an uncommon thing to find hitching rings driven into fine old trees. In addition to the despoilers of trees of "ye olden time," we have the modern gas companies and the City Sewerage and Water departments whose employees, seldom giving thought to the destruction they are working, cut off more roots from our street trees than would be necessary were the work done under intelligent direction.

To counterbalance, as it were, the lopping off of the roots under the surface, we have the cutting and slashing of the branches; by employees of the various corporations whose business requires the use of overhead wires, leaving ugly gashes, like the path of a tornado, on the lines of their wires.

Trees may be ranked among the noblest products of nature, and their adaptability for beautifying and shading streets is a great boon to city dwellers, and one that is not appreciated to the full: else why should such mutilation be perpetrated, or why should it be permitted by those in authority, whose duty it is to protect the interests of the public? Ignorance of trees and their requirements undoubtedly has much to do with it. Carelessness, thoughtlessness and the fierce fight for gain are among the causes which despoil our trees, and when we consider that, in addition to this danger from the hand of man, there are still to be added the ravages of insects and lower organisms, the wonder is that so many beautiful trees are to be found in our streets.

It has often been a source of amazement to me how so large a number of cultured people could seemingly be of one mind in the exclusion, almost, of trees from fine residential streets, resulting, as it does, in such inhospitable barrenness. Beacon, Marlboro and Newbury streets, in the Back Bay district of Boston, are cases in point. To pass through these streets in summer, unrelieved by the shade of trees, the sun baked walls reflecting the heat absorbed by the asphalt, one ceases to wonder that the houses on either side are deserted. In the fitness of things it seems proper that from such conditions, people should flee, seeking the shade and comfort denied them at home---denied because of their own careless neglect of the advantages they might secure by planting trees in their streets. It may be, however, that the summer hegira from this district has something to do with the lack of tree planting: not being present during the heat of summer the great need of shade is not observed. Yet it is not only in summer that trees are attractive: in spring the swelling buds give added charm to the delicate spray-like effect of the branches that is so beautiful in winter; and at all seasons trees lend a softness to the hard architectural lines of the houses. This treeless condition should not be. There is no reason why these streets and wide sidewalks may not be embowered in trees, and thus relieve much of the Back Bay from its dreary, un-home like appearance.

It is to be regretted that in laying out new streets, the tendency of the day is toward the narrowing of the sidewalks and the omission of any provision of a tree planting space. Boston and its suburbs are suffering from this evil, which portends badly for the beauty of its streets in the future. The absence of provision for planting will quickly relegate such streets to squalor and obscurity.

Considering too what a large amount is expended, every year, in the United States for schoolhouses, it is sad to think that so little attention is given to the school yards. How many of them are bare and uninviting, when a small expenditure of money would plant and maintain shade trees, at least around their borders! No better opportunity could be offered to the school children, to know and learn to love trees, than by their close association with them at school. The trees could be of as many different species as space might permit, thereby extending, as much as possible, the variety of trees at the command of the teacher for her demonstrations of their different values and uses and of their relationships and their beauties.

The early public records demonstrate the fact that the Puritan Fathers in the midst of their strenuous life, had in mind the beautifying of their surroundings, by the planting of trees and that they ordered, through their selectmen, that trees should be planted by the town. Quoting again from Mr. Matthews' address: "On February 11, 1711-1712, it was voted by the selectmen that a convenient number of trees be provided to plant on the sides of each burying place where it shall be thought proper."

That the early settlers of New England transmitted their love for trees to subsequent generations, the magnificent elms to be found in the streets of our New England towns, give evidence.

The New England elms are noted, far and wide; the charm they add to the wayside is beyond price. Is it not important, then, that every effort should be made to encourage the growth of and to protect, all wayside trees?

Washington's trees, as an attraction to the city, divide honors with its best architectural features; not because of the individual beauty of the trees as fine specimens, but because of their value as a whole in the adornment of the city. This results from an intelligent control of the planting and care of the trees, the work having been placed in the hands of competent commissioners, among whom have been numbered John Saul, William Saunders, and William R. Smith, the only survivor. The results accomplished in Washington are just as attainable in any community; all that is necessary is wise legislation and the education of the people to the importance of the subject.

Great interest is now being manifested throughout the country in the preservation of objects of natural beauty, in the regulation of the billboard nuisance, which everywhere disfigures the landscape and in the general improvement of towns and cities along aesthetic lines. This
betokens a general public awakening to the importance of civic beauty.

Societies having these objects in view are being organized in every direction. We are glad to note that a large share of the attention of these societies is devoted to the planting and preservation of trees. These influences, properly directed, cannot but have a good effect in the furthering of the work of making the city (and the country also) beautiful. The members of your association can be of great service in promoting the work of these societies by giving freely of their practical knowledge of true culture and gardening.

Laws, making it obligatory on the part of towns to elect tree wardens, who shall have the care and control of all public trees, except those already in charge of park commissioners, have been enacted in Massachusetts, while in various cities throughout the country, laws and ordinances have been framed looking to the care and planting of trees in the public streets and highways.

The Massachusetts statute is mandatory with regard to the appointment of a warden and the scope of his power. The provision for furnishing funds; for planting and care is permissive which will largely induce negative results. The idea, however, is sound and when certain of its defects have been remedied and the knowledge of tree culture increased," its influence on civic beauty will be very powerful.

The simple passage of a tree warden law does not alone insure that there will be protection; that trees suitable in kind will be planted; or that their requirements shall be furnished to them. Let it be a popular service to see that competent wardens are elected, and that their duties are faithfully performed. Laws and ordinances are of little avail unless supported, in their execution, by the hearty cooperation of the public. The requirements of these trees are simple: good soil, and protection from the vandal hand, is all that is necessary for favorable results. But money must be provided to pay for these, as well as to meet the expense of pruning and fertilizing; also to combat with the ravages of insects, which infest trees in towns and cities-----a consequence of the disturbance of Nature's balance, resulting from the banishment or destruction of insect-eating birds.

Tree planting and improvement associations have done much to advance the cause of tree planting in public streets. The Brooklyn Tree Planting Association recommends the cooperative plan. Under this plan competent foresters may be consulted or engaged and trees may be bought, and the ground prepared for planting more cheaply than could be done by individual effort. Associations of this character, however, are difficult to organize. Not everyone possesses enthusiasm enough to enter into the work of planting young trees. The results seem too distant, and planting for posterity appears, to many people, too great a self sacrifice.

In the absence of competent civic control of tree planting, the cooperative plan, or any other plan looking to the planting of trees in the streets, should be adopted by every citizen who has the interests of his city at heart. No excuse can be offered for the absence of trees on every suitable street and on every roadside. The matter is easily within the power of each municipality to correct.

What to plant for street trees? And how to plant them are important questions, on the answers to which depend much of the success in planting for street embellishment.

Of trees suitable we have an abundance from which to choose. I will enumerate a few that I consider most fitted for the purpose:

First, and foremost, comes the American elm, a grand tree of vigorous growth. It must have room to develop and a rich soil, fairly moist. A good tree for city streets and without an equal for wayside planting.

The European elm (Ulmus campestris) is a noble tree. It has not the graceful, pendulous habit of the American elm, yet it possesses; in its columnar trunk, a stately grandeur scarcely equaled by any other tree. It thrives well under adverse conditions. As a sidewalk tree it has many valuable qualities, conspicuous among which is the persistency of its rich, green leaves, lasting as they do until late in the autumn. In some seasons its summer growth does not become sufficiently ripened to stand the winters in this latitude; yet this trouble is not so serious as to prevent its use for any situation where shade trees can be grown. It loves good soil.

The horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is a tree from Europe. It grows very freely and gives dense shade and is a popular favorite on account of the beauty of its flowers in the early summer. Its foliage ripens and falls early in the autumn. It is a suitable tree for city streets.

The soft maple (Acer dasycarpum) is a fine tree for wide streets or waysides, where good soil is abundant. It requires space and sunlight to get the best results. It is reputed to be ea lily injured by storms on account of weakness of fiber; this occurs only when it is grown under crowded conditions.

The American ash (Fraxinus Americana) is an adaptable tree. It grows fairly well as a sidewalk tree, but it is not so desirable as many others, on account of the late leaving out and early ripening of its foliage. On poor soil, and in dry localities, it is apt to be attacked by borers and the scale insect. In rich soil, its growth is rapid, producing a picturesque tree.

The buttonwood, or sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), is a lofty, quick growing tree, but not to be recommended for planting in this district, on account of its liability to be infested with fungi, which blackens the leaves. Its near relation, the oriental sycamore, resembles it greatly in appearance, although a little more compact. This species is much valued south of this latitude.

The maiden tree (Ginkgo biloba) is from Japan. This tree has not been used as a street tree, to my knowledge, except in Washington, where two streets are planted with it and where it has proved most satisfactory. In good soil it grows rapidly and it seems to have no insect enemies. It forms a handsome avenue, as can be seen on the Agricultural Building grounds in Washington, or on Pierce Street, where the planting before mentioned has been done. Boston and vicinity probably is the northern limit of its hardiness, or rather, I should say, of its free growth. Fine trees of this species can be seen in the Public Garden and at Mount Auburn Cemetery.

The hard or Sugar Maple (Acer saccharinum) does not make a good city tree. It is impatient of rough treatment; paved sidewalks and paved streets are fatal to it. It is, however, a good tree for suburban conditions, or for a country wayside tree. It is one of the handsomest of our North American trees. This tree will adapt itself to a thin soil.

The Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) is an introduction from Central Europe. It forms a rather wide spreading, handsome top, with a wealth of large leaves, forming a dense shade. It thrives fairly well as a city sidewalk tree, but on account of its width of spread, it is only suitable for wide streets. As a wayside tree it scarcely can be equaled.

The sycamore maple (Acer psuedo platanus) also from Europe is a wide spreading tree, with large, somewhat leathery leaves. It is a noble tree in its native habitat, but does not take kindly to the United States. It is subject to borers and is not to be recommended.

The American beech (Fagus ferruginea) is one of the most ornamental of American trees, but on account of its low branching habit in the open and its surface rooting propensity, it is not adapted for city planting. This tree loves too well the soft, leafy mulch of its native woods to bear transplanting to the heated sidewalks.

The silver poplar (Populus alba), introduced from Europe, is one of the best trees for hard conditions. In smoky, dusty and thickly populated localities, or in poor soil, it will exist and make a brave show. By many, it is esteemed an ugly tree. The poplar trees planted (I have been informed, by Strauch, the originator of the lawn treatment of cemeteries) in Cincinnati, however, would convince anyone to the contrary. Or without going further east than Boston, one could have found in Maverick Square, two fine specimens until two years ago, when they were removed to make way for the new tunnel entrance. This tree has a disagreeable habit of suckering.

The American Linden (Tilia Americana) also is a tree that will accommodate itself fairly well to street life, provided it is given good soil and protected from the tussock moth, to whom it seems to be a favorite food plant. As a wayside tree, it will grow well in thin and sterile soils and for such a purpose, is well adapted, being of quick growth and of handsome proportions.

The European (Tilia vulgaris), as its name indicates, is from Europe, and has a well deserved reputation as a fine shade tree. Planted in good soil, it will grow under very crowded conditions of street life. At South Boston it can be found growing in brick paved sidewalks and persistently putting forth leaves each spring, which are as persistently eaten off by the tussock moth caterpillar. It forms a tree of stately growth, holding its leaves well into the fall, while, in early summer, with its near relative, the American linden, its flowers charge the air with a delicious perfume.

The tree of Heaven (Ailanthus glandulosa). This is a tree of the tenements. No city conditions, be they ever so hard, seem to discourage its growth altogether. It can be found on Beacon Hill, in narrow courtyards, throwing up its handsome foliage to the housetops; and in many parts of Boston it can be found in corners by the stoop, thriving equally well. Apparently, it has not been used as a street tree in Boston, probably from the reputation which male flowers have of emitting a disagreeable odor. I have lived on Long Island, where the Ailanthus is naturalized, and where the finest street trees are of this kind, and I have never been able to detect any odor, unless I placed the flowers to my nostrils. In rich soils there might be kill-back in winter, from under-ripened wood; but, in poor soils, I feel sure, this trouble would not occur. I am confident that no mistake would be made in planting this tree where hard conditions exist.

The white willow (Salix alba), introduced from Europe, was, undoubtedly, a favorite with the early settlers, as fine trees are to be found throughout the coast of New England. The variety of Cerula is the one most suited, I think for street planting. It is not particular as to soil and if a little care is given to the training up of a leader, it forms a handsome tree. The willow does not lend itself to neat and precise, or formal, work. Its value as a street tree lies in its adaptability to adverse conditions, its early budding forth in spring, and in its holding its bright shining green leaves until late in the fall.

The tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is another good tree for suburban and wayside planting. It is impatient of restraint or hard usage, but under proper conditions, it is one of the finest trees of the forest.

The red oak (Quercus rubra) and the scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) are both grand shade trees for the streets in suburban districts, or for the wayside. The prevalent notion has been that these trees are of slow growth, which accounts for their not having been used for street planting. This idea is erroneous, especially as regards the red oak which I think will outstrip a hard maple in growth. On the Boston parkways, the red oak has been extensively planted for shade. The growth, since the trees became established, has averaged two feet, each season, and in some of them a growth of from four to six feet has been made in one season. The oak will not thrive under paved street and sidewalk conditions, but no better trees can be planted for roadsides, or even for suburban streets, than the red and scarlet oaks.

The pin oak (Quercus palustris) this oak is a very graceful tree in its young state. Its lower branches drop with a curved sweep to the ground consequently it should be planted only in such positions as will allow the lower branches to be retained. As a street tree, in ordinary locations, this cannot be done, and the most beautiful feature of the tree is thus lost. Without its lower branches, this oak is much inferior in appearance to the red or scarlet oak. It loves moisture, however, and may be utilized on low grounds.

The planting of street trees requires as much care as does their selection. It is not enough to merely dig a hole and crowd the roots into it. Any expectations based on such planting are doomed to end in disappointment. In laying out for street planting, let the first stakes be set at the street crossings. When the abutting streets also are to be planted; place two stakes at each corner, a bout thirty feet from the point of intersection of the curb line, on each street. Then space off the intervening distance, setting the stakes equally distant apart, but not less than sixty-five feet, as the shortest distance.

Trees generally are planted too thickly. Sometimes this is done with the intention of cutting out alternate ones, as the growth of the tree requires. This, however, is seldom done and the trees grow up too thickly, thereby overcrowding and injuring each other, destroying also the individual beauty of the trees and the symmetrical arrangement which an avenue of trees should have.

For sanitary and hygienic reasons, streets ought not to be too much shaded. The sun should be permitted to shine on the walks, and on the walls of the houses, in turn, as the earth moves in its course. Glimpses of light and shadow, too, have an aesthetic value, which is worth considering.

Sixty-five feet apart is the minimum distance apart, I think, at which street trees should be planted. For large growing trees as the elm or soft maple, seventy-five or one hundred feet apart would be none too much space to allow. Wayside or highway trees need not be set with the same precision as street trees. An irregular, planting; conforming, in general, to the surrounding scenery, would be in better harmony. In places, an accentuation of existing groups of trees may be all that is necessary, or simply a thinning out of overcrowding trees, or of poor trees which are damaging more valuable ones; for let it be an axiom with the tree planter who is planting for ornamental effects, never to permit the growth of one tree to injure that of another.

An important matter also in the care of trees is the pruning of all broken or diseased limbs or branches, by cutting the branches off at the next lateral below, and cutting the limbs off closely at the bole of the tree, leaving no stumps projecting which the bark cannot grow over to carry rot into the tree. Cut off smooth, and paint over the wound with coal tar.

If the soil is good, no preparation for planting is necessary, other than loosening up the ground for each tree for a space of from seven to ten feet in diameter and from two to three feet in depth. When the soil is poor, not less than ten yards of good soil should be substituted for an equal amount of poor soil excavated from the hole. The same loosening up of the ground should be made.

If planting is worth doing at all, it is worth doing well, for on this depends the well being of the tree. It is safe to say, if you have $20.00 to spend on planting a tree, let nineteen and a half dollars of the amount be spent on the preparation of the ground to receive it. It should be borne in mind that the same conditions which will produce a good hill of corn will grow trees well and nothing else, will serve.

In the planting of groups or masses of trees for ornamental or woodland effect, the soil should be plowed and subsoil plowed several times. The trees should be planted thickly, always remembering the old gardener's motto: "Plant thickly, but thin quickly." More trees are ruined from crowding than from any other cause. The plantation should be treated precisely as a good farmer would treat a crop of corn. Give clean cultivation. Thick planting gives the advantage of shelter, (each tree protects the other) and the further advantage of a greater number of trees from which to select the permanent ones. It also gives the effect of foliage mass the quicker.

These notes are written in the hope that they may help to intensify the interest now manifested in the planting and protection of public trees. The subject is of such importance as to merit the earnest attention of all.

The insect question I have not touched upon. This, however, is so exhaustively covered by our Entomologists that no one need work in the dark, for want of knowledge of how to exterminate insect pests, or at least to hold them in check.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the16th Annual Convention
Held at Boston, MA
August 19, 20, 21 and 22, 1902

In a short paper like this it is manifestly impossible to do more than call attention to some of the best of the many useful and showy hardy herbaceous perennials that can be grown and used to ornament and give effect in cemetery plantations: Therefore, my object is to recommend and treat briefly, plants that bloom in early Spring and onwards until late Autumn; and also to show a few of the many ways in which they may be used to advantage.

Herbaceous perennials are plants having perennial roots, with tops that die down to the ground annually, such as Delphiniums, Peonies, Veronicas, grasses and ferns. There are many other species which have evergreen leaves and are usually placed under the above heading; such as some of the Pentstemons, Saxifrages, evergreen creeping Phlox, Sempervivums, and some Sedums.

Hardy herbaceous perennials are exceedingly important in landscape work, and although many of our landscape artists do not give them the same rank in importance that they do to hardy trees and shrubs, nevertheless, some of them ask us to imitate nature, and if we do, we find she always gives us a generous supply of herbaceous perennials well intermixed with the trees and shrubs. Probably the actual reason why they do not stand as high in their estimation as trees and shrubs is that this class of hardy plants are not so numerous that it requires more careful selection than any other class to do effective work with them. Anyone who knows a Phlox, a Peony, a Larkspur, an Oriental Poppy, a Japan Iris or Japan Anemone will admit that many perennials are very beautiful, but they will also admit that there are many which are not so showy and useful for ornamental purposes. Consequently, a person has to have a good knowledge of this kind .of plants to get the best results. He not only requires to know the height, the habit and the color of the flowers of the plants, but he also ought to have good taste in arranging the various plants so that the flowers which are in bloom at any given time shall group well in form and color. It also requires study and forethought to get the best and most suitable plants for the different seasons.
One of the most common ways of growing herbaceous perennials is in the mixed border. The first step to take in making a border of this kind is to select a suitable location. There are many fitting locations to be found in cemeteries, such as alongside a drive, a fence, a walk, an avenue, the foreground of shrubbery beds, or at the foot of a stone wall. There is one precaution that ought to be taken when selecting a location that is if possible, not to place the border near large trees, as the roots of the trees will deprive the perennials of their nourishment.

The outline of the border is not important; it may be straight, curved or irregular, according to the situation.

After selecting the location, the next consideration is the soil. If of moderate depth any kind of' soil will grow the plants, provided that plenty of manure is given; but a deep loam if well trenched of medium texture that does not need an annual supply of manure is the best. Of course, all have not such a soil at their command, and therefore recourse must be had to supplying the most suitable ingredients to the varying soils that have to be dealt with. A deep loam if well trenched and given a good dressing of well rotted manure will need little if any other dressing for three or four years. This is of great importance both as regards saving of labor and well doing of the plants, as many kinds of herbaceous perennials will attain their most perfect development when left undisturbed for years. Clay soils should be trenched at least two feet deep and plenty of leaf soil worked in with the manure.

The arrangement of the plants in their order is a matter of taste but here I would advise the grouping style, which consists of planting a number of plants in a mass, the aim being to obtain color in such quantity as to prove effective when seen from a distance. The taller growing kinds should be arranged at the back and the dwarf kinds confined to the front of the border, but a too strict line of uniformity of height should be scrupulously avoided and pains should be taken to dispose of the plants as to color so that there shall be no violent or jarring contrasts. The time of flowering of the different kinds should be thought of so that there may, be throughout the season a regular dispersion of bloom over the entire border. The best example I have ever seen of this grouping style was last year at Drummond Castle, Perth shire, Scotland. Indeed, it was a surprise to me.

Every fourth year we dig all the plants from our herbaceous borders and trench the ground. In this process of trenching, the earth is completely turned over, to the depth of two feet and we work into the soil a liberal supply of well rotted cow manure. In turning over the soil to this depth it gives an opportunity to remove all roots and weeds from the soil. Not only does the soil need enriching, but there are many of the strong growing kinds of herbaceous plants that need lifting and breaking up the plants degenerate, the growth becomes weak, the flowers small and few in number. Examples of such are Phloxes, Delphiniums, Asters, Rudbeckias and Chrysanthemums. When overhauling the border in this way there are many plants that require just as careful handling as if removing a large tree. The plants are very sensitive to rough handling and if it is not done with care they do not grow or flower as well for some time afterwards. Examples of such plants are Adonis Vernalis, Statice latifolia. Clematis recta if not lifted and planted with care does not grow more than eighteen inches the first season when it ought to grow four feet. The best time to do this kind of work is early in September; the nights begin to get cool then, we are liable to get showers, and the soil has not lost any of its warmth, and the plants are able to make new roots and growth before winter sets in.

During July and August there is always a scarcity of bloom in the mixed herbaceous border and there are many places that need filling up, as some of the plants that bloom in the early Spring die down, such as Oriental Poppies and all early flowering bulbs. The empty spaces which these plants leave are not pleasing and can be filled with such good annuals as Zinnias, Tagetes, Asters, Stocks, Phlox Drummondi and many others which give a profusion of bloom during the summer months.

The only care the borders need during the summer months is keeping the ground clear of weeds, cutting dead leaves and stems, and tying up such kinds as need support. A few words on tying and staking will not be out of place here. A plant should not be tied that is at all likely to be self supporting. The height of the stakes never ought to exceed the height of the plants and the ties should not be drawn so tightly that the plants present a broom-like appearance. In dry weather the strong growing kinds need a liberal supply of water.

There is an endless supply of hardy plants that can be used in the herbaceous border, but I will only mention twenty-five of the best Spring and early Summer flowering kinds, and twenty-five of the best late Summer and Autumn flowering kinds. For the early kinds, the following are exceedingly good perennials: Alyssum saxatile with its golden yellow flowers; Aquilegias, several species, caerulea, glandulosa, Stuarti and Chrysantha being the best; Arabis albida, Phlox procumbens, P. Subulata and its varieties are showy dwarf plants; Polemonium reptans and caerulea are good for blue colors; Stellaria HoJostea has numerous white star shaped flowers; Veronicas many kinds, the choicest being rupestris, gentianoides, incana, paniculata and latifolia; Pentstemons which are hardy and reliable are P. digitalis, diffusus, oratus, barbatus, barbatus var, Torreyi, and pubescens; Pyrethrum roseum, very fine, has many forms both double and single, the single flowers are very pleasing ; Clematis recta has panicles of beautiful white flowers; Dianthus barbatus and many other species are good; Campanula carpathica makes tufts of blue; Delphiniums, many kinds and all are exceptionally showy plants; Dicentra spectabilis or bleeding heart is one of the most graceful hardy plants we have in early Summer; Orobus vernus fine early dwarf pea flowered plant; Lychnis chalcedonica and Viscaria flowering plants are both good; Primula veris and vulgaris and their varieties are well known; Campanula persicifolia and its white flowered variety are of medium height bell flowers; Paeonias herbaceous kinds are all beautiful; Papaver orientale and its varieties are without doubt the showiest of hardy plants; German Irises are good border plants and will flourish in almost any situation; Iris laevigata from Japan is extra fine for late Slimmer but requires more moisture than the German Irises. Geranium sanguinea is about a foot in height and has a profusion of red flowers; Baptisia australis gives good racemes of blue flowers in June; Erigeron speciosum and Aster alpinus are the two best early compositae we have.

For late flowering kinds the following are good: Aconitum autumnale; Anemone Japonica and its varieties; the best Asters for border use are Novae-Angliae and its varieties. Aster turbinellus and Aster Shortii, Bocconia cordata, Boltonia Jatisquama are tall, showy plants; Platycodon grandiflorum is a grand perennial and flowers for several months; Coreopsis grandiflora, Dictamnus fraxinella and Gaillardia grandiflora are choice perennials; Helianthus mollis, Helenium autumnale and Hoopesii are good plants for the back row in the border; Monarda didyma is the best of the horse mints; Pyrethrum uliginosum when well grown is very showy; the best of the Rudbeckias are speciosa, sub-tornentosa, and golden glow; Scabiosa caucasica is the finest of all the species of Scabios ; Statice latifolia is the best of the sea lavenders; Veronica subsessilis is very choice; Sedum spectabile is the handsomest of the Stonecrops; Oenothera Missouriensis has the largest flowers of all the evening primroses; Eryngium amethystinum has roundish heads of flowers with a very striking blue color; the best of the day lilies are Hemerocallis flava, dumortierii and fulva. To these might be added foxgloves, Hollyhocks and the late flowering Phloxes.

Some of the best bulbous plants for the borders are Allium moly; Bulbocodium vernum, Camassia esculentum; and C. Fraseri; the different species and varieties of Crocus; Erythroniums, Frittilarias, Snowdrops, Hyacinths, Lilies, Grape Hyacinths; Narcissus many species and varieties, Puschkinia, scilloides, Scillasiberica and Campanulata, Tulips; the species are showy and some of them, such as T. gesneriana, T. cornuta and best of all is T. Greigi. It is not only well to know what to plant, but sometimes it is well to know also the plants that are not desirable for border culture. Some of the plants are recommended in catalogues, but if they once get into the border they are constantly a source of trouble and expense. They spread so rapidly that they kill the weaker plants which grow near them. The most troublesome of these are: Achillea serrata, the variegated aegopodium podogravia, Anemone Pennsylvanica, Saponaria officinalis, Stachys palustris and Heliopsis laevis.

In many cemeteries there are ideal spots for rock gardens where a host of herbaceous plants can be grown. In rock gardens tender greenhouse plants are out of place. Although there are many alpine plants that we cannot grow in our climate, we have plenty of herbaceous and bulbous plants to use. When the suitable location is found there are few more interesting features of out of door gardening than this, and in early Spring and at Memorial Day there would be no spot of the cemetery as pleasing as the Rock Garden.

The herbaceous border and the rock garden are not the only places where hardy perennials can be used with good effect. Some of them are beautiful when naturalized in different parts of the grounds. Many of the spring flowering bulbs do admirably planted in the grass that is if the grass is not cut before the foliage of the bulb withers. Narcissus poeticus is especially fine when grown in this way. At Prof. Sargent's place in Brookline, Mass., it is grown beautifully in this way and is a magnificent sight when in bloom. Bulbs such as Crocuses and Scillas that are planted in places where the grass has to be cut before the foliage of the bulbs mature, have generally to be planted every year. This ought not he an objection to those beautiful bulbs, as they are so very cheap now. The tall summer and autumn flowering compo sitae such as Heleniums, Rudbeckias, Helianthuses, Silphiums, Asters and Golden Rods make a splendid showing when planted amongst shrubbery. Lilies are at their best when planted in Rhododendron beds. Along water margins there are many plants which lend themselves very pleasingly and give excellent effects. Such are Iris, Cardinal flowers, Lythrums and many kinds of grasses. I recollect a tasteless arrangement I saw in a cemetery, a large pond encircled with a double row of Salvia Splendens,

Another use for which the large growing perennials are admirably adapted is to produce subtropical effects. There are quite a few plants that can be used in this way; for example, Helianthuses, Silphiums, Bocconias, Arundo donax, Eulalia Japonica and its varieties, Aralias, Acanthuses, Polygonums, Rheums, Heracleums, Centaureas, Eryngiums and Echinops.

There are many hardy and half hardy perennials which make showy and attractive beds on the lawn. Silene pendula and the forget-me-nots, which are grown as annuals, make excellent beds for early spring. Phlox procumbens, P. subulata and P. reptans are also good for early work. Stellaria Holostea is very good for white. The dwarf Veronicas are all good in early Summer. The tall growing Phloxes, Paeonias, Irises and the tall, graceful grasses all lend themselves readily to this kind of work.

There are many inquiries as to what perennials will grow under trees. I have found the following very satisfactory: Vancouveria hexandra, all kinds of Funkias, Pachysandras, Hepaticas, Asarum Europaeum, Ajuga, Reptans; Orobus Vernus, Lilly-of-the-Valley and many kinds of ferns. The propagation is either by seed cuttings or division of the plants. Every cemetery ought to have a small nursery and grow its plants instead of buying them. Plants are easily raised from seed and can be raised in quantity.

The winter protection of herbaceous perennials is important. Plants that are not reliably hardy can be protected with any material which is not too moist or dose. Most of the perennial plants that are in ordinary cultivation need no protection, but in the Eastern States we find that a coating of some material that keeps them from excessive freezing and thawing during the winter is very beneficial to the plants. If barn yard manure is used a double advantage is obtained, the plants are kept in good condition, and from the leachings during the winter they obtain food. Leaves of deciduous trees, pine leaves and hay are all good for protection. The dressing for protection should not be applied until the ground is well frozen; that will be about the first of December. The covering need not be very thick-two or three inches is enough. The covering is not intended to keep out the frost so much as to prevent alternate freezing and thawing by which the plants are thrown out of the ground, the roots broken and exposed to the sun and air. If the ground keeps frozen all winter this trouble is avoided. The covering should be removed as soon 'as the weather will permit in the spring.

A short time ago I made a tour through the different cemeteries and graveyards around Boston to see what was used in the way of herbaceous perennials. I was disappointed to see the small number used. I do not want to run down the tender bedding plants, as there is plenty of room in our large cemeteries for all kinds of plants, from the American Elm and the tropical palms down to the Alpine Drabas not more than an inch in height. What I do want to point out is that the man who has not the greenhouses to raise the tender plants need not be discouraged, for he has ample material to select from amongst deciduous trees, evergreen trees, shrubbery of all kinds, and herbaceous perennials. The species and varieties of tender bedding plants are few in number compared with the hundreds of hardy perennials that a person is able to select from. There are no bedding plants that will compare with Irises, larkspurs, daffodils, lilies and many others. It is so monotonous in our cemeteries. Almost wherever you go in them you find Geraniums, Coleus, Salvias and Heliotrope. Another point in favor of the hardy plants is that long before the Geranium, Coleus, Heliotrope or Salvia have left their warm quarters in the greenhouses we have enjoyed the charming early Spring flowers such as Scillas, Snowdrops, Crocuses, Tulips, Hyacinths, Phlox, Arabis, Hepaticas and Violets. Not only have we the hardy plants in the early spring but also late in the fall when all our tender plants are housed.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the16th Annual Convention
Held at Boston, MA
August 19, 20, 21 and 22, 1902

Ordinarily, when one thinks of grasses, the association is entirely with the hay field and the pasture; forgetting that in the family (Graminae) there is included something like three thousand five hundred varieties, embracing everything, from the strong rooted wiry fibred grasses of the hillside, through the cereals to King Corn, and the stately bamboo of the Tropics.

The cereals, as they are called, furnish in large part our daily bread, but the grasses whose grains or seeds are of secondary importance, are more in number than these and are both directly and indirectly of fully as great economic value to the human family and the lower animals.

In view of these facts, it will readily be understood that the grass family is of more value to man and the domestic animals than all the other vegetable families combined.

"They are widely distributed in every soil, under the Equator, in the Arctic and in the Temperate Zone, but their greatest beauty and variety are seen in what is called the dairy districts, where they clothe large tracts with their beautiful green verdure."

In the whole world the family ranks fifth in size. The legumes, which are also of great value as food for domestic animals, etc., rank second. In number of individuals, the grass family exceeds any other one of flowering plants, and it is possible they are equal to all others of the higher plants.

It is remarkable that although the Egyptians, Jews and other eminent, nations of antiquity gave considerable attention to the culture of cereal grains, the products of which could be used to supply their personal wants, either in affording food or clothing, yet the special cultivation of grasses, to feed the enormous herds of domestic animals they possessed, received no attention whatever prior to the period when Rome dominated the greater part of the then known world. The probable reason for this, of course, is found in the fact that there was at that time a greater range, and it was possible not only to pick the best pastures, but also to move from pasture to pasture when necessary.

In the times which immediately preceded the fall of the Roman Empire, in addition to growing wheat, barley, beans, etc., for bread, the soldier husbandman also grew alfalfa, red clover, Vetches, Lupins and other Leguminous, which were used both in the green state and in the form of hay for feeding their cattle.

In England the cultivation of forage plants was only commenced about the middle of the seventeenth century. It is reported in Dr. Plot's "Oxfordshire" published in 1677: "They have already sown ray grass, by which they improve a cold, sour, clay weeping soil, for which it is best; but good also for dryer uplands, especially light, stony or sandy soil." It was almost one hundred years after this that timothy or herds grass, and cocksfoot or orchard grass were introduced into England from the United States.

George Sinclair, writing about 1825, says: "Rye grass (Lolium perenne) was, till lately the only species employed for making artificial pastures." He also records the information, "The first mention that I find made of the rye grass in early books, is in "The Mystery of Husbandry, Discovery and Laid Open," by I. Woolidge, 1681."

It will be readily understood, of course, that at this time the meadows and pastures contained a great many species of the natural or true grasses; probably something over one hundred distinct sorts, but few of these at that time were known by any but a local name; neither was seed of the different kinds readily obtainable. It was almost the middle of the eighteenth century before, as an improved system, it was recommended that seed shaken out of the best meadow hay should be sown with the clovers to form a permanent pasture.

It was even at a later date than this, when Stellingfleet recommended the collecting of seeds of the different varieties, such as crested dog's tail, sweet vernal, meadow fox-tail, meadow fescue, sheep's fescue, etc.

Those who would now have a fine sward have not to contend with the difficulties that met the sower 75 or 100 years ago. At the beginning of the last century, the seed of only a few sorts were offered for sale. These in most cases contained weed seeds and other impurities, the majority of the natural grasses that formed the permanent pastures, were almost unknown by name to the farmer. The relative values were entirely unknown, and worst of all there were but few people, either able or willing, to undertake the collecting of seed of the several sorts and test their suitability for different conditions and situations. Now all is changed; the comparative merits of the various grasses are fairly well established. Seeds of all the desirable sorts are readily obtainable at moderate prices. Individuals and States have worked out through exhaustive experiments, the facts as to the relative values for all locations and soils; so that the sower may now select at small expense and with practically no uncertainty, the kinds that will produce the results desired.

Some idea of the labor that was undertaken in bringing this about may be had by reviewing the method adopted at Woburn Abbey, England, by Sinclair. “Having procured a collection of seeds of the natural grasses, by hand-gathering from the pastures, preparations were made for their culture in such a manner as to obtain a clear and satisfactory knowledge, founded on observation of the various properties, habits and comparative values of each distinct species and variety."

Spaces of ground, each containing four square feet, were enclosed by boards, in such a way, that there was no lateral communication between the earth enclosed by the boards and that of the garden; the soil was removed from these enclosures and new soil supplied, or mixtures of new soil were made in them, to furnish, as far as possible, to the different grasses those soils which seemed most favorable to their growth; a few varieties being selected for the purpose of ascertaining the effects of different soils on the same plants. The nature of these soils was accurately ascertained by analysis. Upwards of 200 varieties were sown, the different species were cut at varying stages of growth, the particular time at which the various kinds attained to the greatest degree of perfection, time of flowering and maturing of the seeds were carefully noted. These experiments having been carried on through a number of years, resulted in a knowledge of their comparative vigor, habit, seasons and the kinds of soils most favorable to their growth.

Another characteristic that the Woburn experiments proved was that grass plants, like human beings, love company and detest being alone. Sinclair says: "The unconquerable habit of almost every species of almost all the varieties of grasses, to combine and grow with others, renders any attempt to cultivate them singly for any length of time, impracticable, without at the same time having a thin and tufted sward or a great many weeds."

It is likely that most of us who have given the subject thought have realized when looking over an old lawn or old pasture in prime condition that there are included in such a sward anywhere from 10 to 25 distinct sorts, therefore Sinclair's experiments, and our own observation, show the necessity of using a number of varieties together when a close turf is desired, no matter whether that turf is for mowing purposes, permanent pasture or lawn.

In sowing vigorous growing varieties of grass, such as timothy and orchard alone, the individual plants stand out with the bare spots between much more conspicuously than would be the case if Rhode Island bent, or Kentucky blue grass were sown. Nevertheless, blank spaces will exist to a greater or less degree between the plants, when only one kind of grass seed is sown, and they (these spaces) are never overcome by any habit of stooling of the plants themselves; instead, in time, the spaces become filled up with weeds or other varieties of grass.

This filling up by nature in a pasture, perhaps, is not very objectionable; even in a lawn it will not be noticed or criticized to any extent by the uninitiated, but the gardener, who is familiar with grasses, in walking over such a sod, will not only notice it, but, in most cases will know by the elasticity of the turf the difference between the suitable grasses selected and sown, and the weeds and other grasses that have made a place for themselves. These facts, in my opinion, show beyond a question; the necessity of a mixture. What the mixture may be will vary, of course, with the soil and location, as well as the sower's experience.

The grounds of the Boston Park System and the Metropolitan Park Commission of Massachusetts have been principally seeded down with what we Boston folks call the Olmsted formula, which is:
20 lbs. cleaned seed Rhode Island bent (Agrostis canina).
20 lbs. cleaned seed red top (Agrostis vulgaris).
20 lbs. cleaned seed Kentucky blue grass (Poa pretensis).
10 lbs. white clover (Trifolium repens) per acre.

This mixture in a general way is satisfactory. Being composed of clean or solid seeded varieties the weed seed trouble is reduced to a minimum. Nevertheless, it has the disadvantage of suffering severely in our average winters, and as it grows older, shows on some soil, and in exposed situations, as much bare ground as one would expect to find in a poorly seeded hay field. Possibly some of the reasons for this are that Blue Grass does not bear well with the repeated close cuttings to which it is subjected and as it does not attain to maturity under two or three years, the early and frequent cutting may weaken the constitution and make it less able to withstand either continued hot, dry or severe winter weather, than is the case when it grows under more natural conditions. Nevertheless, it is one of the most desirable grasses for a lawn, and will succeed fairly well on a great variety of soils, and also under partial shade.

The Red Top is grown principally in Illinois. The meadows on which this seed is produced have been reserved for the purpose for a great many years, and I believe that as a result of continual seed producing, the plants have acquired a habit of making seed stems rather than leaves; consequently the Red Top, although called a fine leaved grass, is not as suitable for lawns as it once was.

Rhode Island Bent; when the pure article, is beyond criticism of any kind and should be used in lawn mixtures to the exclusion of Red Top, even though it costs a little more.

Experience shows that the grasses which especially interest us for lawns ripen their seeds at three different periods of the season, or if classed according to the time about which each ripens its seeds, they will form three groups; the first, consisting of the earliest, perfect their seed usually before the end of June; namely:
Sweet Vernal (Anthoxanthum odoratum)
Meadow Fox-Tail (Alopecurus pratensis)
The second consists of:
Small Leaved Sheep's Fescue (Festuca ovina tenuifolia)
Kentucky Blue Grass (Poa pratensis)
Crested Dog's Tail (Cynosurus crestatus)
Pacey's Perennial Rye Grass (Lolium perenne)
Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata)
Rough Stalked Meadow Grass (Poa trivalis)
Hard Fesue (Festuca duriuscula)
Rhode Island Bent (Agrostis canina)
Red Fescue (Fistuca rubra)
Red Top (Agrostis vulgaris)
About the end of July and the third about the end of August, consists of:
Wood Meadow Grass (Poa memoralis)
Yellow Oat Grass (Arena flarescens)
Various Leaved Fescue (Festuca heterophylla)
White Clover (Trifolium repens)

It is possible to give a much longer list, but I think this will be found sufficient. All the sorts are adapted for lawns of one kind or another; even the Meadow Fox-Tail, though somewhat coarse in growth and Timothy like, is worthy of a place because of its extreme earliness.

If in selecting a mixture for any given soil for the purpose of raising a hay crop, the varieties should be those that mature nearly about the same time, but if a permanent pasture or lawn is desired, then the mixture should include all kinds that reach their perfection at different periods throughout the season.

The following particulars as to the suitability of the kinds we, have named, for the different soils and conditions, may not be out of place.
SWEET VERNAL is one of the earliest flowering perennial grasses that we have. It continues its activity through a very long season and will be found to be as green and fresh in appearance at the end of August as it is at the end of May. Its fragrant qualities are well known and for this reason alone, it is worthy of a place in the lawn mixture. It will grow on almost any kind of soil, even a thin, dry one, but prefers good rich loam.

In buying seed of Sweet Vernal, it is well to insist upon getting the true perennial variety, as there is frequently sold, under this name a spurious variety which both in seed and growth resembles the genuine, but the Puelii is an annual and for that reason is not suitable for lawns.

MEADOW FOX-TAIL: A May flowering, strong growing, perennial grass, especially suitable for strong soils. It is somewhat like the Timothy in its habit and may be objected to on account of its broad leaf and rather pale green color, yet, I would recommend the use of a moderate quantity of it in mixtures, because it is not only hardy and permanent, but early in growth.

SMALL LEAVED SHEEP'S FESCUE: especially suitable for light, dry, sandy soils. The blade is rather light green in color, and the plants inclined to be slightly tufted in their habit, but both of these objections are practically overcome when sown in mixture with other sorts. I know of no fine growing grass that succeeds as well as this variety does in really dry situations.

KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS: One of the most common and valuable grasses we have. It is perennial in habit, quite early, usually flowering in June and adapts itself to a great variety of conditions; although it prefers, but does better in a partial shade than in the sunlight. Its objection to the full sun is more readily noticeable when the seed of the Blue Grass is sown alone. On light soil, or in dry seasons, it is sure to burn.

The plants do not come to their maturity until they are three or four years old and this is a sufficient reason why Blue Grass should be used in all permanent mixtures. While the soil, in which it seems to succeed best, is what might be termed first class corn soil, it will grow on almost any soil from dry knolls to wet meadow.

CRESTED DOG'S TAIL: This grass succeeds well in dry, hard soils, and is suitable for mixing with Red and Sheep's Fescue for sowing down sandy or light lands, but like the Blue Grass, it makes its best growth in a rich medium soil. It is perfectly perennial; of fine close growth and deep green in color.

PACEY'S PERENNIAL RYE GRASS: There are several types of Rye Grass; two of them annual, or at best not more than biennial. Lawson is authority for the statement that the English Rye Grass was originally perennial and that the shorter life of at least one of the varieties was induced' through growing the plants for the production of seed alone. Let this be as it may, the selection known as Pacey's Perennial, is true to the description and well worth a place in all mixtures for permanent grass. It is somewhat large seeded, but the plants are of a fine, neat habit, and desirable color. The seeds sprout quickly; the plants make a rapid growth, and afford some protection and aid to those of slower habit. It is suitable for all soils and situations, excepting very moist soils, where it dies out quickly, as it also does under the shade.
ORCHARD GRASS: This well known grass is generally considered to be of too rank a habit for use in lawn mixture, and as a rule, this is the case, although Orchard Grass in reasonable proportion with other sorts, if kept under the mower, does not present a coarse appearance, and its vigorous root system enables it to make wonderful growth even in dry seasons. It will grow on heavy or light soils and I would especially recommend it as a suitable grass to form a part of the mixtures for shady places and also for light or sandy situations.

ROUGH STALKED MEADOW GRASS: Not generally recommended for lawns, although used to some extent in England for that purpose. It is one of the best varieties to sow under heavy shade and on rich, moist soils. Under the mower its rather rank growth does not show. It is quite early in habit and carries its growth well into the autumn.

HARD FESCUE: Perhaps the most valuable of all the Fescue family. It closely resembles the Red Fescue but is of more upright growth although of quite dwarf habit. It has an unusual drought resisting power and maintains its deep green appearance throughout the entire season. Very suitable for light soils but does best under favorable conditions.

RED FESCUE: This grass is at home on light, dry, sandy soils, and does equally well on sandy lands near the sea coast and the dry hill side. It can also be recommended to form a portion of the mixture for shady situations. It is a true perennial and of fine dwarf habit.

RHODE ISLAND BENT: It is enough to say that this grass is without a peer for the lawn. I am afraid, however, that too frequently seed of the common Red Top is substituted. As a matter of fact there is little difference between the Agrostis canina and the Agrostis vulgaris, excepting that as, I have already pointed out, the seed of the latter is saved from plants that have acquired the habit of forming seed, rather than of making a growth of soft herbage. The growth of Agrostis canina in Rhode Island is also affected some, not only by the moist climate that is usual in that state as compared with Illinois, but also by the fact that the fields are not cut for seed purposes year after year.

RED TOP: I have already alluded sufficiently to the characteristics of this valuable grass. It is likely that in, the near future, it will be produced in considerable quantity in districts where it has not hitherto been grown for seed purposes. Already improved cleaning machinery has made this practical in a small way, and I think we may hope to have seed of a more desirable type on the market shortly.

WOOD MEADOW GRASS: As its name implies, this grass is found natural in the woods, and is very well adapted for growing under trees. It is, however, just as desirable as part of the mixture on an open lawn, particularly where the soil is good. It has a very fine habit of growth; quite early and of long duration.

YELLOW OAT GRASS: The true variety (there is a spurious one frequently offered) is quite a desirable grass for lawns, when the soil is light or; dry. It is particularly adapted to exposed elevations. Naturally it is a little rank in habit, but under cultivation this is not noticeable.

VARIOUS LEAVED FESCUE: An early, hardy perennial that does well in cool, moist soils, even clay. It produces root leaves very freely, and may be used to advantage either on shady or open lawns when composed of a good heavy soil.

WHITE CLOVER: I am of the opinion that the most beautiful lawns are those composed wholly of natural grasses and in which no White Clover finds a place. The public, however, seem to call for a portion of this in a lawn grass mixture and besides it is largely used for patching up thin spots. I have noticed that in unusually dry or hot seasons and especially on thin soils, that White Clover seems to show greater vigor from the middle of July until the end of August, than do most of the grasses. For this reason, and because of its popularity, it will continue to be a part of all lawn grass mixtures.

A week ago, when I was asked by the Chairman of your Committee of Arrangements to make some remarks on the subject of grass, I felt very much like saying "No”, for the reason that I realized there was not much, if anything, that I could say that was not already well known to you.

In my remarks, however, I have tried to emphasize the necessity of a mixture of grasses, both for the sake of permanence and appearance. The real reason, I believe that one or two varieties of grasses have been selected for seeding lawns, to the exclusion of others, is that it is thought there are only two or three of the finer varieties obtainable, which are practically free from chaff and weeds.

This in itself, from my point of view, is not sufficient excuse. Seed of all the varieties of grasses I have named can now be had, although in some cases not free from chaff, yet, just as free from weeds as Blue Grass or White Clover. To obtain such, it naturally, follows, that a higher price has to be paid than would be the case if impure seeds were offered: but the difference in the actual cost is so small that this can hardly be considered a factor.

I presume that quite a number of you will not agree with me in my conclusions. I hope, however, you will defer judgment until you have had opportunity to compare the result of a two or three kind mixture with a properly balanced lawn grass made up from six or eight varieties.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the16th Annual Convention
Held at Boston, MA
August 19, 20, 21 and 22, 1902

It seems to me to be unnecessary to go into extended details as to the many advantages to be derived from nurseries and greenhouses in cemeter¬ies, and while I believe they are almost indispensable from an economical and financial point of view, still I may be wrong. If the discussion that will follow the reading of this paper will sustain the nursery and greenhouse as practical auxiliaries, superintendents should clearly explain to their directors the benefits, financially etc., to be derived from them and the advisability of taking immediate action to establish such things where they are not already in operation.

What prospects are there for a reasonable return from such a project will naturally be the first consideration, and justly so, as all undertakings should have careful consideration before investing. My experience with young nur¬sery stock, in well prepared soil and proper cultivation, is that it increases in value very rapidly, many things will more than double the first cost in three years, so from a pecuniary point of view, I think we are not carrying an ex¬pensive luxury when we establish a cemetery nursery. But aside from and far above the financial value, in my opinion, is the incentive it gives to collect and grow on our own grounds, a varied collection especially adapted to the climate in which we live.

And should we consider it from a scientific standpoint, or as used as experimental or test grounds, the advantages are truly invaluable when a skillful man is in charge.

We all love variety, and we should endeavor to have as choice a collection as the climate will permit; and through the advantage of having a nurs¬ery this can be accomplished successfully. For testing as to hardiness or capability of standing the dry patching wind, during the growing season, small lots are used, not over a dozen of each kind; so If we fail in acclimatiz¬ing them the loss will be only nominal.

With practical growers such trials are constantly going on and many valuable additions to their collections is the result.

Experienced growers are not discouraged if certain things fail on the first trial, for, by having those plants under their careful observation they discover their nature and requirements, and by giving them a more congenial soil and location, finally succeed.

So the cemetery nursery appears more valuable and important as the numerous advantages are considered.

New shrubs and plants are offered for sale and highly recommended, as to hardiness and beauty of flower or foliage, but being expensive, and if difficult to propagate, remain at a high price for several years. A few of such val¬uable things, say a dozen of each, should be purchased even at what may ap¬pear a high price, and propagation commenced according to methods best a¬dapted to the nature of the plant to be increased, and by the end of the sea¬son, instead of a dozen we shall have a. hundred or more of nice young plants rooted and ready to take care of themselves in the nursery, the coming spring. As an instance: I received by express last February one dozen of Spiraea Anthony Waterer and one dozen of Hyperi¬cum Moserianum; two comparatively new and highly recommended additions to our shrubbery list. Those little plants were out of two and a half inch pots, puny little things, and cost $2.50 per dozen. On the 27th of Au¬gust last I found we had 200 of each, nice young plants, well rooted from cut¬tings and all at a nominal cost.

Another great advantage of growing our own stock is that the vitality of young evergreens and plants of that nature are so slightly affected by trans¬planting from the nursery to permanent quarters, and this particularly so, when we can make our own choice of suitable days to plant, such as cloudy weather, before or after rain, according to the nature of the soil.

Planters are fully aware that these advantages are invaluable and with proper care in digging out and replanting the loss will be very light; yet I hardly believe it is possible or that the art can be so perfected, that we will not sustain a loss of some plants from the effects of transplanting.

The cemetery nursery and greenhouse afford great advantages for the beautifying of the grounds, and in my opinion every cemetery should have them, in proportion to the demands or extent of the grounds.

The conflicting opinions of superintendents on the use of a greenhouse leaves the matter somewhat unsettled, some wanting a summer display of beautiful flowers and foliage plants, while others discourage such things. Where the lawn plan is being carried out, floral decoration is not brought into use. In old cemeteries the portions that can be called lawns are so lim¬ited, that something must take their place; even in new cemeteries where the beautiful lawns are to be admired, there are locations where floral dis¬plays can be advantageously arranged and will add materially to the beauty of the place.

The small greenhouse in connection with the nursery for the special purpose of increasing our stock can be utilized for raising sufficient stock for summer display and will repay us for the expense incurred.

The question of raising more stock than we require will depend entirely on the tastes of our lot owners; if they are in the habit of spending consider¬able money annually for plants, there is no reason why the cemetery should not supply them with plants at reasonable profit.

The educational effects of the nursery and greenhouses on superinten¬dents should not be overlooked, for it seems to be the general opinion that the better posted we are in horticulture, the more efficient superintendents we make.

If I were called upon to suggest a means for our advancement m the knowledge of trees, shrubs and plants, I could suggest no better plan than that of establishing a cemetery nursery. It is my candid opinion that by no set rules or theory can as much practical knowledge be derived; and I am con¬fident that no branch of the study would have a more immediate effect in es¬tablishing habits of careful personal observation than the care which the cemetery nursery and greenhouse would require.

Regardless of where we are located, it should always be borne in mind when purchasing young nursery stock in quantities, that only such plants as will make a healthy growth in our locality should be selected.

Seedlings of trees and shrubs are offered for sale by nurserymen at low prices, and on that account offer a great inducement to beginners; but they cannot be recommended. No stock should be purchased until it has been transplanted at least once, the advance in cost will only be nominal, while the success with transplanted stock will more than repay us for the slight in¬crease in price over seedlings.

To insert here a long list of trees, shrubs, etc, would be of no benefit and might possibly prove misleading, as it is the climate and surroundings of our several locations that must decide the question of which trees and plants are best adapted for that particular locality. If we are not acquainted with the requirements and habits of the plants we endeavor to grow it is but reasonable to expect that some mistakes will be made. To acquire this particular know¬ledge, no system can be thought of or suggested that can take the place of the cemetery nursery.

The arduous duties of the superintendent may not allow him over much time to spend in the nursery, still there are occasions, and leisure hours when we can visit it and see to the wants of the stock, noting the rapid growth of some, and the lack of vitality in others. If he studies up the cause and endeavors to find a remedy by changing to a more congenial soil or location, if this is done by his own careful study, and if he perseveres in such experiments, there is not the least doubt that in a short time he will become quite profici¬ent.

To close this paper without referring to the question of utilizing the val¬uable native plants indigenous to the locality would be a great mistake. Be¬ginners can do no better than to collect the many beautiful perennials, shrubs and vines, cultivate them in the nursery, and when established and ready for planting out, formed in natural groups or margins, they can hardly be excel¬led. In my opinion it would be difficult to find a more charming combinat¬ion of color and form than the margins of our woods present at this season of the year; and this affords a wide field for study for one engaged in planting new grounds or remodeling old ones.

It is the natural harmony and gracefulness, and that apparently endless diversity of color and form, naturally blending with the whole surroundings, that gives them the power of producing such charming effects.

All cemeteries have localities where bits of natural scenery such as refer¬red to would prove very effective and could be produced at very slight ex¬pense.

As I have been recommending the establishing of nurseries, a few hints to beginners on the preparation of the soil may not be out of place here. Have the land thoroughly loosened up at least two feet deep; after that a good supply of well rotted manure worked in, evenly, all over the surface. Should the soil show signs of retaining moisture after rains, under drainage will be necessary. Four inch tile at intervals of forty feet, and four feet deep, if properly laid will very soon show beneficial results, as the soil will always be in condition to receive rain, which will not only refresh the tops by its moisture, but pass through the earth to the drains driving out the vitiated air from the roots, thus leaving the pores of the earth open to receive a fresh sup¬ply, which is as essential to the health and growth of plants as moisture.

With soil in this condition, either made so, or natural, the growth of young nursery stock will be truly surprising.

If space will permit, allow for cultivation by horse-power between the rows and ample room for two or three seasons growth, without crowding be¬tween the plants in rows.

This work only requires a commencement, and in a very short time the diligent beginner will have on hand a valuable and interesting collection of plants and shrubs, native and foreign, suited to his own special wants.

After the nursery is fairly started, I would recommend the purchase of a standard treatise on the general nature of plants and make a study of them; so that we may work from established principles, and fully comprehend the object of every operation performed and their cultivation.

From the publication:
AACS - Proceedings of the 10th Annual Convention
Held at St. Louis, MO
September 15, 16 and 17, 1896