Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 June 1883 — THE ELM. [ARTICLE]

THE ELM.

One of the Beat of Shade Trees—How to Cultivate It, [From the Brooklyn Eagle.] The elm is by far the best and cleanest tree for the city. The best size are those trees of about three inches in diameter, four or five feet from the ground It does not pay to set out those that are smaller than a man’s wrist, because up to the size of three inches in diameter the trees can be transplanted with perfect safety, and the additional dollar cost is cheap for the four or five years’ additional growth. In digging up, the roots should be cut at least a foot and a half from the foot of the tree, making the ball three feet in diameter. For trees six inches in diameter a much larger ball should be left—a very good rule being to make the diameter of the ball in feet correspond to the diameter of the tree in inches, taken four or five feet from the ground, thus: Three inches, three feet; six inches, six feet. It is well, but unnecessary, to keep a large mass of earth around the roots (as some seem to think very important) provided the roots are kept moist by wet straw or moss, etc. If the ground in which the tree grew should have been poor soil, it is better to remove it carefully and sift the good earth about the rootlets. Roots once dried and parched are like faded and dried bouquets—they may be soaked in water, but will never live again. The stem should not be chopped, but in good bark, and should have a healthful appearance, straight and tall, not having the branches shoot out too low. Some fools cut off the entire top and set out a row of bean poles. This should not be done. It is merely a trick

of the nurserymen,who say: “You must cut off the top as much as you do the root.” Now, it’s a poor rule that won’t work both ways. Therefore, cut offthe root as much as you do the top, and what have you ? The tree men advocate cutting off the top merely to save trouble in hauling the trees. They care nothing for tjie looks of your trees as soon as you have paid for them. The root of the tree is in its mouth and stomach; the leaves its lungs. Cut out the stomach and lungs of a boy you w ish to live, will he thrive ? If, how ever, the top be very large, it may be trimmed in a little, that is cut off the tips of the largest branches. A single-stemmed top is better than a double-stemmed top, and apt to split apart in after years, when the branches are heavy. Here lies the success, provided- the tree has good and moist roots. Dig a hole large enough to receive the ball easily and deep enough to have a half-foot of good’earth under it. Have plenty of good earth, best of all a mixture of swamp muck and garden loam. Don’t be mean and niggardly to a tree that will live fifty or 100 years. Now, fill the hole half full of good earth and put the tree in place, so that its general appearance is good from the most important standpoint. “The same side south” is all humbug. Keep the tree plumb! When all is well arranged, begin to fill in the good earth, using only the best and finest in contact with rootlets; gently sift and shake it between the roots; be careful you do not leave an airspace just under the tree, across which no rootlet can throw itself and in which mold is sure to form. This is often a cause of failure, to avoid which it is well to make the earth in the middle of the hole a little higher than the sides before putting in the trees. .After a few inches of earth have been placed over the roots the earth should be pressed down with the feet, gently at first, so as to break them, firmly afterward. Keep the tree plumb all the time. The nurseryman’s work is now done, yours just begun. Do not let the young trees be shaken by the boys, nor bitten by the horses. Do not forget to give each tree a pail of water during the days of the first summer, during which time you must expect the tree to have a little “set back,” but all will be well the second summer.