The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1863-02-14
agricultural Column.
The Grove Tree for the Prairies.
TIMBER WILLOW-(SaHr aUa.)

The Grove Tree for the Prairies.
TIMBER WILL0w.-(SaHx alba.)
No argument is required to convince
the owner of prairie soil, Of the great
Importance of Timber Culture. The
only great natural defect of this vast
region the garden spot Of the earth''
is WANT OF TIMBER.
1t has been our ardent life-desirc to
remedy this great deficiency. For the
past twenty years We have exhorted,
urged and importuned prairians to plant
grores-for their own sake, for the
sake Of their children and neighbors,
and for the prairie world at large-for
the present generation and especially
for posterity. And many were the
beautiful locust groves that sprang up
and gladdened our eyes. But the enc
my appeared in countless hordes, and
when the locust became universally the
prey Of the devouring borer, we search
cd the sylvia Of the West to find the best
tree to replace it. In all the wide range
we have met with nothing for this pur-
pose that will compare with the TIMBER
WILLow-a tree Of European origin,
though perfectly sat home'' in all
parts Of our country.
1t has now been long enough tested
to fully prove its perfect adoption and
great value, yet it is comparatively
scarce, but in a few years it will be
abundant everywhere. We should have
set it before the public years ago, but
we preferred first to subject it to thoro'h
tests, and to prove that it had no ALI
ance with humbugs." We now con-
fidentl y set it forth upon its own merits,
as clean, healthy and beautiful tree,
perfectly hardy, and thus far free from
attack Of insects. 1t grows towering,
straight grained, and enormously rapid
splits freely as the chestnut. Rails
OF 1t last many years, if kept off the
ground. 1t is so tenacious of life, that
cuttings the size Of pipe-stem, and as
well as fence posts six inches in dame
ter, if properly set in the ground in fall,
winter or early spring, will surely take
root and grow. After two years. at
tention, it will take care of itself. At
five years growth it will subserve a
multitude Of purposes on the prairie
farm, besides furnishing fuel faster than
the family will use it. In twenty years
1t will make large sawlogs.
For lumber, boards, shingles, &c. , it
is esteemed more valuable than the
White Pine. From its great cheapness,
ease of culture, and extreme productive
ness, it is, without doubt, soon to
become the most popular tree in the
country. In the language of one of the
most extensive tree planters, I" the Tim
Der Willow will be worth millions to the
farmers Of Illinois, so soon as they learn
to appreciate IT'D 1t will spread rap
idly over all the prairie regions-from
East to West, from South as far North
as cultivation extends. 1t will grow
freely where water stands or flows
hence, it Will turn the sloughs into tim
Der belts. and ultimately change the
whole aspect Of the prairies and modify
the climate. Mr.. K. H.Fell, gentle
man Of the highest responsibility and
candof, who has had lifetime ac-
quaintance with it, says:
Z" 1t is more easily produced than any
kind of timber heretofore tried, is bet
ter adapted to all climates, is a more
rapid grower, is more beautiful, will not
breed vermin, will not spread from the
roots, and lastly, is equal to any other
fast growing timber, and think better.
Out of one thousand slips there is no
need OF losing any-they all gro,c,
and, in three years, from Is to 20 feet
high. AT to 10 years old, it will be
large enough to furnish three rail cuts,
the flrst making four, the next two, and
the third pole. Cutting it down does
not destroy it, but the second growth is
more rapid and vigorous. When once
the ground is set with it, it is perma-
nent thing. 1t matters not how often it
IS cut of, It continues to throw up new
shoots. No kind cf timber which splits
SO freely, and rails, kept off the ground,
will last thirty years. 1t is also valua.
bic for screens and shelter, boards.
shingles, fuel, &c.
1t is astonishing on what a small
piece Of ground enough willows can be
grown 70 Eoo,, 40, a.