Any one who has seen the beautiful pyramids, cones, and mounds of green into which so many varieties develop, if permitted to grow according to the laws of their being, should not be induced to purchase old and large trees which nurserymen are often anxious to part with before they become utterly unsalable.

When the evergreens reach the acre, plant them with the same care and on the same general principles indicated for other trees.  Let the soil be mellow and good.  Mulch at once, and water abundantly the first summer during dry periods.  Be sure that the trees are not set any deeper in the ground than they stood before removal.  If the soil of the acre is heavy or poor, go to the roadside or some old pasture and find rich light soil with which to fill in around the roots.  If no soil can be found without a large proportion of clay, the addition of a little sand, thoroughly mixed through it, is beneficial.  The hole should be ample in size, so that the roots can be spread out according to their natural bent.  If the ground after planting needs enriching, spread the fertilizer around the trees, not against them, and on the surface only.  Never put manure on or very near the roots.

Fine young seedling evergreens can often be found in the woods or fields, and may be had for the asking, or for a trifling sum.  Dig them so as to save all the roots possible.  Never permit these to become dry till they are safe in your own grounds.  Aim to start the little trees under the same conditions in which you found them in Nature.  If taken from a shady spot, they should be shaded for a season or two, until they become accustomed to sunlight.  This can easily be accomplished by four crotched stakes supporting a light scaffolding, on which is placed during the hot months a few evergreen boughs.

Very pretty and useful purposes can often be served by the employment of certain kinds of evergreens as hedges.  I do not like the arbitrary and stiff divisions of a small place which I have often seen.  They take away the sense of roominess, and destroy the possibility of pretty little vistas; but when used judiciously as screens they combine much beauty with utility.  As part of line fences they are often eminently satisfactory, shutting out prying eyes and inclosing the home within walls of living green.  The strong-growing pines and Norway spruce are better adapted to large estates than to the area of an acre.  Therefore we would advise the employment of the American arbor vitae and of hemlock.  The hedge of the latter evergreen on Mr. Fuller’s place formed one of the most beautiful and symmetrical walls I have ever seen.  It was so smooth, even, and impervious that in the distance it appeared like solid emerald.