The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1863-04-04
AGRICULTURAL.
RAISING TIMBER I'M KANSAS.

RAISING TIMBER IN KANSAS.
The starting of groves Of timber IS
an item that should receive the attention
Of our farmers. Especially those that
own farms on the prairies, should, as
soon as circumstances will permit 1t,
plant q few acres of their farm in tim
Der, (say from FIVE to forty acres to a
quarter section). We need no more
timber-fast growing, useful and dura-
bic timber-timber that will be suitable
for fuel. fencing, shade trees and shell
ter. And if the Big Timber WIlloU
is the tree that is best adapted to sup
ply their wants, say, by all means let
US have it, and plenty Of it. But hav-
ing been acquainted with the Timber
Willow for not less than twenty-five
years, and having some serious doubts
IN regard to Its adaptedness to our
prairies, 1 consider it my duty to give
my experience to them that are unac-
quainted with it, as | think the people
of Kansas stand fair chance of being
humbugged with it. l have seen the
Timber Willow in its several stages Of
growth (from a cutting to full grown
tree) in all parts Of Europe. 1t was
planted along side of roads, or in other
places where shane trees were wanted,
and the ground SO wet that no other
trees could grow on it. But, it was not
admired for its beauty, nor was it con.
sidered valuable as timber. I light
say that there it wss the poor mans
tree. The poor people would use it for
fuel, from the very reason that they
were not able to supply themselves with
anything better. They would also
make butter paddles and wooden dippers
from it. I almost forgot to mention
that have in few instances seen
wooden shoes made from it. Of its
adaptedness for this purpose, I must
acknowledge that am not prepared to
speak from experience, as l never felt
inclined to test its merits for this pur-
pose by wearing pair Of shoes. But
from the complaints heard those make
that did wear, came to the conclusion
that they did not give very good salts
faction, the wood being to porous to
exclude the water, besides it was so soft
that the shoes did not last we'll, which
was a serious objection where they had
to pay flom three to four cents pair
for the shoes. On wet, heavy soil the
growth of the Timber Willow is rapid.
In Europe it is not expected to live on
dry land. To those that wish 20 raise
timber on our prairies, my advice would
be to try only few cuttings Of the
Timber Willow, but if they should not
happen to meet your expectation, don't
give up raising timber. We have sew
eral varieties of timber within our reach
that will grow on our prairie, and in my
estimation stand higher than the Tim
Der Willow. For instance: the Locust,
Silver Leafcd Maple, Lombardy Poplar,
Black Walnut and the Cottonwood, all
of which are rapid in their growth, and
the Cottonwood not excepted, makes
better timber than the Big Timber Will
low. The Lombardy Poplar, especially
I am confident will make more timber
to the acre on our prairies than the will
low, and of better quality.
A few words about hedges and am
done. Who wants anything better for
making hedges than the Usage Orange
1t is perfectly hardy, and will grow on
any kind of soil where corn will make
half crop. and with proper care, will,
in from three to four years, make q
barrier against any kind Of stock. Flo,
a fence around an orchard it is unsur.
passed, it not only keeps stock and boys
out, but makes an excellent windbreak.
Cor. Topeka Record.