In no city or town that I have visited are the street trees in as good condition as here. I do not exactly know who is responsible for this, but some one or other has something to be proud of. There are over 1,000 miles of trees, and one can travel for miles on streets and avenues lined with the same species, and the same age and planting, without a break; not long, tall, scraggy, spindling things, but strong, robust, healthy trees; and the girl of the period might say, "they look just splendid," even now, bare and naked though they be.

I notice that as a tree is planted, a box is put around it, and the tree secured to this with thongs of leather to prevent any possibility of its getting injured. This has a great deal to do with keeping the lines so even.

A good many species and varieties are used - Maple, Acer negundo, largely planted in some portions of the city; in others Poplar (Populus angulata or monillifera); in other parts a very thrifty lot of Elms (Ulmus Americana), Button-woods (Platanus occidentalis), also Linden (Tilia Americana), and others, all healthy, and of good shape.

Great care must have been taken to choose the location most suitable for the different kinds. Passing where some men were making holes a short while ago, I noticed they filled up with water. I thought that would be bad treatment for anything unless Willow or Alder; but I saw some very pretty Poplars in the neighborhood. At the Agricultural Department grounds an attempt has been made at grouping; but I believe had to be abandoned for want of space. This is a very praiseworthy object, as one can notice the habits of different varieties with so great | facility.

But the principal feature that gives the Agricultural Department a different appearance from any; other of the public grounds around the city lies in the hedges. Beautiful they are, both evergreen and deciduous. There must have been some one around there some time or other, and perhaps is yet, that knew how to handle a hedge. An Osage hedge at the rear of the grounds is also the street boundary, and no picket fence could serve the purpose as well.

Industrial Home School, Washington, D. C.

[The management and arrangement of the Agricultural grounds is and has been from the first in the hands of Mr. Wm. Saunders. The public lost one of the most successful landscape gardeners in the Union when the government was wise enough to secure his services.

The trees of Washington have been wholly in the hands of three gentlemen who are known as "the Parking Commission." Mr. Wm. Saunders above noted, Mr. W. R.Smith, of the Botanic Gar- den, and Mr. John Saul, the well-known nurseryman, compose this body. No wonder the success has been so great. - Ed. G. M].