The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1863-08-15
Agrifnltural Golun}n,
Forest Trees and Their Cultivation.

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AT a meeting Of the Farmers Club,
New York, Andrew S. Fuller practi-
cal -horticufturist of Brooklyn. Long
Island, gave lecture on the subject of
the culture Of Forest Trees. 1t being a
matter Of more practical Importance to
the dwellerS on our great prairies than
to the farmers Of New York, however
important it may be considered there,
we are pleased to condensc portion Of
it for our columns. Mr.. Fuller stated,
That the only place where complete
collection Of American trees can be
found, was in the parks Of the city Of
Paris, France.
Many kinds Of valuable trees are be-
coming very scarce, and he therefore
recommended that all the choicest sorts
Of valuable timber trees should be plant
ed upon many an acre in that vicinity
that is almost worthless for any other
purpose than for trees.
1t is a mistaken idea that men must
be professional nmserymcn to grow for
est trees. Every farmer can grow them
as easily as he can grow corn.
He spoke of the immense advantages
of surrounding prairie farms with belts
Of forest trees. In many cases crop
of forest trees would be more profitable
than any other crop.
lie then gave most interesting ac-
count Of the planting Of forest trees
upon the estate Of the Earl Of Fife,
Scotland. In some places, the trees
were planted upon the sides Of hills so
steep that men were let down by ropes
to do the work. How many situations
of the same kind in this country might
be planted with trees.
lie related fact given in a letter
from the Sixth Earl Of Haddington,
which stated that his mother caused
large bodies Of forest trees to be plant
ed; some Of the land was a drifting
sand when naked, and worthless for
other cultivation. -
MIR. Fuller said he had grown seed
ling naples, to one year old, at an ex-
pense of 81 thousand. He raised
10000 seedlings upon the eighth Of an
acre, at an actual expense Of $1S. His
method is to SOW them in beds, three
feet wide and one foot apart, covering
the seed only half an inch deep. The
plants must be carefully hoed, and kept
clear of weeds. The plants can be trans
planted at one year old to rows four
feet apart, fetting the plants two feet
apart, trimming off the side branches
and cutting off the tap roots. AT two
years old, several sorts Of forest trees,
thus treated, will be twelve or fifteen feet
high in rich soil-then, every other tree
may be removed to other situations.
The hickory must have the tap root cut,
to render the trees fit for transplanting.
1t will grow much more rapidly also,
and so will several other sorts Of trees
10y cutting the tap roots.
AS the trees grow in the nursery rows
you may take them out until they stand
eight feet apart each way, which will
give $50 trees to the acre. What these
would be worth, Of course, depends up.
on circumstances.
The seeds Of sugar maple ripen in
Autumn, but do not terminate till in
the Spring. ? : q -> A..
The seeds may be sown as soon as
ripe, In beds; or mixed with moist sand
in boxes and kept in the cellar, or out
doors, as freezing does not injure them.
The American elm is one Of the most
ornamental trees, and of very rapid
growth. The seed ripens the FIRST of
June, and should be sown as soon as
ripe, and portion will terminate at
once, but most of them not until next
Spring. 5 asq<
All forest tree seeds appear to need
to be covered very lightly. They germ
mate best when kept continually moist.
Where land is plenty, it is best to
SOW coarse seeds, such as walnuts, hick-
CRY nuts, &C., in single drills, wide
apart. This gives room for root prun-
ing, which should always be done the
season before taking them up.
1t is probable that several Of our ev-
ergreen trees can be grown for profit,
as well as ornament. 1t is certain that
many bare spots could be occupied
probably with some kind of forest trees
and their cultivation should be more
thought Of by our American farmers.
This is an important subject for dis
cussIon at meetings Of fruit growers and
farmers, clubs, among the Western set
Tiers. We have so frequently referred
to this subject in the TaYey Farmer.
that nothing further need be said to
urge our friends to PLANT TREES.