The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-08-12
Trees by the Water.Side.

Anyone who has been at all observing
has not failed to notice that the largest
most thrifty and luxuriant trees are to be
found on the banks of lakes, rivers and
smaller streams of water. In the prairie
region of the West, where trees are Ordi-
narily scarce, we rarely find stream that
is not lined by them on both sides. We
may generally trace warehouses; long
distances by the lines Of trees. Illinois
has very little timber except along the
banks of her rivers and streams, and on
the broken ridges in the sQfthern part of
the State, where springs and streamlets
abound. The same is true of all the States
in the prairie region.
There is scarcely any tree, whether de-
sired for ornament or profit, that does not
grow to the Disadvantage when planted on
the bank OF stream, while there are sew
eral varieties of trees, shrubs and vines
that do very poorly in other locations.
Not only do sfruitrees grow better on the
banks of streams, but they are almost al
ways more productive. Again, the fruit is
likely to be fairer and free from blemishes.
In short, the banks of streams seem to be
the places best adapted by nature to the
growth of trees, and we. should look to
these places to find not only the finest trees,
but the finest fruit ~{5sBf 2.TLF
The reasons why trees flourish best on
the banks Of streams and lakes are chiefly
three in number. There is no danger of
their being injured by drought. The roots
of trees in the vicinity of water will seek
it out and appropriate it. In a time of
protracted dryness trees at distance from
water will stop growing or die outright,
while those in the vicinity of water will
continue to grow. The evaporation which
is constantly taking place ON the surface
of water Keeps the leaves of trees Moist
and in the best condition to grow Again,
the banks of streams afford the best posi-
BILE natural drainage, SO that there will be
no stagnant water.
The soil on the banks of streams isnear-
ly always rich in both organic and inor-
the streams, and are taken up by the roots
siderable distance slopes steward the stream
and affords the means of carrying down
fertilizing material. The two causes men,
the banks of streams rich even in districts
This may be seen in all hilly and mount
uIuOua. "ACAO $SoOO NAOPo 0AC
raised On the margins ofstreams, but none
at d distance from them. 40 h. ~ e.
There IL great economy in raising trees
on or near the banks of streams and lakes,
because the land there is Of little value for
any other purpose. 1t cannot ordinarily
be plowed for the reason that it would
wash away. We're itnot for this objection
| it would De diffcalt to plow it because the
banks are NOT straight. Raising trees on
tthese ssitnaHoQt then Isl in the interest oi
Ieconomizing land, for the trees and their
ttroducts. Afe9 Gear gains. Tie trees are
f6rnAmeAts u tksi ground, and are;efvalue
ITO the streams BY Neutrality-suspicious.
In short, the trees act to help the streams
AS the streams act TO help the trees.
The only objection that can be raised to
planting frdit-t trees by the side of lakes
Land streams is that the fruit is likely tc
EfalLin the water and be lost, This objec
ton, however, only applies to certain
Saristfes'of frdit, a. early apples, peaches
and plumsE Late appiesr and pears, Al
we'll as cherries, may be grown. to good
advantage, as they are not likely to fall
from the trees. Chicago Times. 1ss