Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women - Wise Acres Yearbook (Ambler, PA)

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For many years I planted too many species, as in 1907 when eight varieties of broad-leafed, and twelve of conifers were sown, and in 1912 when eighteen varieties of conifers alone were sown. By 1909 all of the first white pines had been given away or used for demonstration in talks on forest planting, or set out in unused open ground, where the largest group is now quite an impressive little wood. At that time close planting was rather advised and the trees were set only four feet apart, too close, I now think, for permanent planting. By 1912 I had three objectives, first the growing of native trees for forest planting to replace poorer species cut out for fuel or other purposes. Second to raise specimen trees of nonnative species for ornamental planting, and third to raise every variety of every species of conifer which would grow in our climate. Seeds of white pine, tulip tree and white and rock oak were gathered on our own land usually, but all other species were purchased from dealers in this country or Europe—from the latter by grammes (3l 2 ounces) the smallest quantity sold by foreign tree seedsmen. In this country conifer seeds were usually purchased by ounces, and- nuts and acorns by the pound. In my opinion there is very urgent necessity for extensive planting of tulip trees, most of the hickories, white, red, and rock oaks in all localities where they formally abounded, but, the)'’ are all too popular with deer as food, to advise any planting of these species in any portion of our State where deer preserves are established. In South Mountain, where there is great difference between night and day temperature, pines give the best results, spruce are very difficult in summers of great humidity, and firs have the most determined objection to living through their first summer, of any species I have ever tried. A new enemy of tree planters has appeared in the propensity of motorists to steal every attractive young tree they see. so planting near much used highways is a risk. Yet, in spite of casualties running from total failure of germination to the utter destruction by deer of entire plantations, I continue to raise trees, hoping in time to see tree planters protected from thieves in automobiles, and from the herds of deer which now roam our mountains. The lure of tree planting is one of the happiest delusions with which gardeners can entertain themselves through the winters, for with spring conies renewed hope that this year we shall escape the mishaps of last year and that this time all of our trees will grow. S

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A HOME-MADE TREE NURSERY Mira L. Dock “Yet it is not to be imagined without the experience of it, what prodigious numbers (of trees) a very small spot of ground, well cultivated and destined for this purpose, would be able to furnish. Pliny tells us that no tree should be removed under two, or over three years of age.” Evelyn’s “Sylva.” Evelyn might have added “once a tree-grower always a tree grower,” for, after the habit of sowing seed has taken root it becomes fixed, and each spring the casualties of the year before are forgotten as the sower goes forth with fresh hope. My first seed-bed was a most casual affair, just two shallow furrows run by a trowel in the edge of a small garden bed in some newl}’ purchased land at Graeffenburg, in the South Mountain (half way between Chambersburg and Gettysburg). This is a region of fine white pine and hemlock, and in the autumn of HUH, when the seed crop of white pine was very large, we daily gathered cones, and in mid-November I sowed in the two drills the seed shaken out from the dried cones, which half filled a one pound candy box. They were lightly covered with earth, then with fallen leaves, and left to their fate. In May, 1002, they began to germinate from the 10th onward, and finally there were 1010 seedling pines to transplant to prepared ground in a corner of the kitchen garden. By the spring of 1004 there were two well made seed-beds ready, each four x sixty feet, running east and west, as all seed-beds should, enclosed by eighteen inch high, open lath fences to keep rabbits out, and with plenty of lath screens npade on the half and half plan. A lath and a space the same width, alternating, the lath laid on three foot strips of inch board and placed on top of the fencing. Rabbits were not the only nursery trouble, but birds soon found the seed-beds a delightful place, and 1 then abandoned the long beds and changed to beds twelve x four feet, with box frames, four inches above the top of the beds, and used wire screens of one-sixth of an inch mesh, two screens four x six feet to a bed. These are perfect defences against birds, but should not be larger than three by four feet for quick handling by one person. Burlap or heavy paper is placed on top until germination has started, when I change to lath screens. In my opinion two by four is a better size for a lath screen than three by four, for women to handle. Then a new trouble developed, deer trampling the open beds of the two year old trees and eating the best specimens, and a six foot chicken wire fence was placed around the seed and transplant nurseries, the box frames were removed from transplant beds, and instead two stakes were driven in at end corners with one stake midway at each side, to which poles were attached on which the lath frames rested. For large transplants in the open field, of Fir, or other shade liking species, I use chicken wire overhead on stringers, with branches of broad leafed trees placed on the wire to give shade. 7

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ON THE SHANGHAI-HANGCHOW RAILWAY Caroline G. Peeler When you take a trip in China you carry both food and water, if you are wise. In order to make the 7.30 train, I rose when it was still dark, “Dosovou” had ready for me a breakfast sufficient for two, a bottle of water, oranges, and food for my next meal on the train. He, himself, called a ricksha and tucked me in carefully, my luggage stowed fore and aft. A 200 mile trip on a Chinese railway all alone means that your senses must be keenly alert—ears, eyes and hand—for only by means of motions could one make herself understood, .unless by chance English is spoken. So, from the time I bought my “one-piece” ticket, second-class missionary rate, $2.30 going, $3.10 returning, I began to feel those thrilly creeps one gets over a brand new pleasant experience. Fortunately, the cars were so crowded that there was no seat for me in the second- class carriage, so I was taken into the dining car to sit on the only seat at the front end of the car, facing the dining table in the middle, with six chairs surrounding it. At this table a continuous stream of hungry ones took their turns, and if you want to read character, watch people eat! First came a high class Chinese girl, with her hair in bangs, and long drop earrings of pearl and jade. The Chinese women wear no hats. She was smoking a cigarette, and on her long tapering fingers were handsome jewelled rings. She drank tea and smoked leisurely. She looked as dainty in her coatee of rich brocade of gray, blue, and lavender and trousers of pearl colored silk as tho she were at home and not in a smoky train. Next came a father with two boys, richly dressed in black brocade coats that reached to their heels. They ordered foreign food—fried chicken, white bread and butter, marmalade arid tea, and ate with forks! After they had finished their chicken the boy brought in towels, wrung out of scalding hot water, and they washed their faces and hands. No feast is complete without the hot water towel wash; at a real feast the water is perfumed. I have almost come to believe that the reason why the Chinese have such fine textured, smooth skin is because they have' these hot water face baths. Last summer, at the Chinese theatre, when the thermometer rose to 100, boys went through the audience with hot water tow'els. To facilitate the passing, however, one boy would throw towels across the theatre to another, so that huge white towel balls were flying back and forth and you glimpsed the play between them as best you could. The face washing kept up the entire time. Now I look out of the window at the scenery. Emerald green fields of newly planted rice, cultivated by men and buffalos walking ankle deep in water. Canals everywhere, between which the fields are laid off in geometric lines to the last inch, except where the grave mounds, or small hillocks, are located. Some of these are so old that the tops are covered with large trees, while the newer ones afford grazing for a lone buffalo. He looks like a graven image standing at the peak of a grave mound, his head, with its 9