, 1863-03-28
Trees for Shade, Fuel and orchards.


No one thing shows the thrift of farmer more
than to the planting out of trees for shade and
fuel, and for fruit orchards. | need scarcely say
that in our hot summers the shade is grateful Ia
man and beast-that in future time fuel will be
scarce and dear in this valley, and that should
poorly perform our duties to ourselves and fami-
lies if we should not make ample arrangements
for future supply of fruit.
We have but few days now remaining in
in wh ch we can plant out trees What we in
tend to do in this matter we should set about il
at once.
The cotton wood is rapidly growing tree
makes pleasant shade the wood, dry is tolerable
fuels and the young trees for planting out can
readily be obtained. Among the indigenous forest
trees of this valley, the cotton wood is probably
the best we have for artificial groves, skirts oi
timber and shade trees.
If convenient, very fine addition is the shade
tree about the farmers dwellings and yards can
be made by planting out some evergreen trees to
be brought from the mountains In order to
make these trees live some certain rules are to be
followed. Young trees of stout growth, full
foliage and not above three and half feet high
should be selected from spots where in growing
they have been exposed to the full action of the
sun. They should be taken up when the sky is
cloudy and if there is rain, or the air is damp, it
will be all the better. Care should be taken in
raising the young trees to preserve all their roots
especially their fbrous roots-and if thew have
not good supply of fibrous roots, throw the TIRE e
away. When the young trees are taktn ND
cover their roots from sum- air and yind-keep
them molst-and plant them out as soon as Dos.
sble. II you are very anxious to have the ever
green tree set three posts around the tree, at a
distance of two feet-have them rise some two
feet over the tops of the young trees, and fasten
some brush, plank or other article upon them, so
as to keep the intense heat of the sun from the
trees. Evergreen trees properly selected and
planted out with this kind of protection, rarely
die.
The time will come in this valley-and appre-
hend that that time is upon us now-when our
farmers should be making arrangements to plant
out artificial groves From experim ents made
doubtless locust trees will grow rapidly here
1t so, five years will make grove which will fur
nlsh poles for fencing and a longer time will
make trees for posts and building purpose The
locust is easily propagated, from seed readily OBJ
tanned at the seed stores.
Acorns can be had from below and plants from.
acorns will grow much faster into trees than will
plants from "Wamette oak grubs." There is a
beautiful tree found in different parts of the Viii
amette valley, which think will flourish here. =
mean the large leaved maple. This tree, when
standing out alone, exhibiting its natural devel-
opment, is most lovely Iree Its shape is SYM
metrical-its head dense-its foliage sweet and
clean. Its large clusters of seed in August and
September, are a singular feature of the tree
One who has only seen this tree, as it grows in
the forest, cannot appreciate its beauty Or
value
In regard to planting out orchards for fruit l
can only repeat my remarks in previous paper.
Farmers who have their own interest, the health
of their families and the permanent prosperity OF
the country, in view, should not permit this
spring to pass without setting out orchards DO
not delay another year. Go into Wala
Wella and furnish yourselves with trees-if they
can be had of Mr.. Ritz at any thing like reason
able prices.
Now is the time to give active attention to
these duties. A few days labor and few dol
lars, will add hundreds of dollars to the value OF
your farms