The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1871-06-08
Larch US. Chestnut.

| Mr.. NJ. M. Bateman, Of Peineveile,
! Ohio, in letter to the 'I'cstcra EurTf,
! in comparing certain kinds of timber
for forestry upon the prairics, says;
will venture the opinion that some
of the writer's for Western paper are at
present recommending a little to strong
ly the European larch for general
planting. 1t is true this tree was very
highly recommended by Mr.. Loudcn
and other Englisl, writers OF thirty to
| forty years ago. in fact, larch planting
was sort of hobby with Mr.. L., as !
! remember from personal conversation
had with him in 1889; and l am also
knowing to the fact the experience of
the past twenty years has not sustained
the opinions expressed by Mr.. l.. and
others respecting the value of the larch
for timber or general purposes. 1t is
true, however, that it is still extensive
ly planted in England and Scotland,
especially on poor or thin soils, and
where there is a demand for hop poles,
or stakes for fencing, etc, as the chief
value or the wood is for its durability
when standing in the ground; but for
sawed lumber and fuel it is the poorest
timber that can be grown; and hence it
was sensible on the part of Mr.. ScQield,
at the meeting of the Northern Illinois
Horticultural Society, in commencing
the larch as head and shoulders above
all other deciduous trees, in its intrinsic
value for nearly all purposes for which
timber il used, to add, Except for fuel
and sawed lumber In other words, il
isquite useful, excepting for the two
chief purposes for which timber is used.
But it has the specia! merit of being
easily grown from the seeds, or the
plants can be imported for very low
price, and they bear transplanting well,
so that nurseryman like to deal in them.
This, too, will, 1 think, explain an
other mistake which some have made,
in recommending the planting of forest
trees as close as three feet apart, each
way, without naming the kind. The
cheapness Of the young plants, and the
very upright growth of the larch render
such advice quite appropriate for this
tree, but not tor others.
OF the chestnut, Mr.. b. says: Being
somewhat known as a servant of the
horticultural public, and having my
residence in noted chestnut region,
where the trees are grown ana advertis
ed by the million, have OF late received
quite a number of letters from the West,
making special inquiries respecting
these trees, and their successful culture
in certain soils and localities.
l have no personal interest in the
growth or sale of chestnut or other trees:
but as friend of forest planting, l am
free to say that regard the American
chestnutfs the most valuable of all
trees, wherever it will succeed; and as it
grows naturally from Maine and Canada
to Kentucky and Tennessee, it is prob
able that it will thrive in some portions,
at least, of all the Western States.
1t is usually found growing in soils of
a sandy nature, or sandy loans, where
the subsoil is porous and free from wet,
commonly preferring ridges OF slopes,
but occasionally found quite thrifty on
level and c!ayey lands, as | have
seen in Ohio and Indiana. Mr.. j.
Ferris, of the latter State, informes me
there are large trees in his vici4ity,
standing on rich, sandy soil, similar to
much of the rolling prairie land of the
! West. At late meeting of the Alton
Horticultural Society, when the suhjt ct
of tree planting was discussed, DR.. Hull
strongly recommended the American
chestnut for planting in that section OF
Illinois, and said there were trees of 1t
planted twelve wears ago, in prairie
soil, that are now eighteen inches in
diameter.
This tree is of very rapid growth, and
has the desirable habit of shooting up
again quickly from the stumps where
cut down.--It is also very neat ard
beautiful tree in sirabie as a lawn tree,
or for belts to shelter and ornament 9
farm. Besides its great value for timber
and sawed lumber, which is very much
admired for the inside finish of build
ings and for cabinet furniture, etc, the
chestnut is quite profitable as nut pro
ducer; some groves that have known
Welding quite as much revenue in theil
way as the average Of apple orchards
and a few native trees on my owl
little fruit farm are Of more value a'
sources of enjoyment to my family 0
, children, than double the number o
the finest fruit trees.
The transplantiug of young chestnu
trees is commonly thought to be quit'
difficult; and so it is when the trees ar
taken from the woods, of three or NOR
years growth, and large portion of tn
tap root broken off; but when grown il
mellow nursery soil, and carefully take'
up at one or two years. growth, witt
the roots entire, they can be transplant
ed as safely as young apple trees, eve'
after being transported athousand mile
or more, as was done i'll very many case
the past year,
Lastly, in answer to the inquire
respecting the nurserymen, Storr
n Harrison g. Co., who have barked
II largely in the growing of the y"an
!, trees, I take pleasure in stating I'll;
they are, in every respect, perieci
II reliable; and know that their stock
d seedlings is what their advertisement
IS represent. They planted ore year ae
e nearly 200 bushels of chestnnis on
field of we'll prepared ground, aud II
nr,auct. I think, was full a million