Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-03-03
Cheap Trees for the Farm.

THERE are doubtless thousands of farm
ers who would have about their premises
an abundance of shade and timber trees
if they knew just how TO obtain them. Of
course we refer to men of limited means,
to whom ten dollars is very large sum Of
money, and far too much to risk in an in.
vcstr1ent not likely to bring a full or i'm
mediate return in kind. 1t is to this
class, which comprises the great bulk of
the farmers in the newer States, where
trees of all kinds are very much needed,
that we have few words of advice to
give at this time.
We presume that every one will agree
with us that trees of any kind add much
to the appearance and comfort of a rural
home, and this is especially true in re-
gions where natural groves and forests
are wanting. Much of the cherries and
dreary appearance of the homes of farm
ers on the pTairies is due to the scarcity of
trees about them, and while the farmer
himself may often care little or nothing
for this, we know that the wife and chill
dren would hail such accessories with
real delight. But in case a man has no
regard for appearances or for the pleasure
or comfort of those placed under his care,
there is still another powerful argument
in favor of planting trees, and that is their
intrinsic value to the owner and cultiva-
tor. Timber is often necessity, and if a
farmer does not possess it on his own land
he must procure it elsewhere, and fire.
quently at cost far above what it m light
have been produced for at home Look
ing, therefore, at this question of timber
or tree culture in all its bearings, we can
find no reasonable excuse for entirely dis
pensing with such an important auxiliary
Of even a moderately advanced system of
agriculture.
The cost of the trees and want of
practical knowledge in regard to their
management are the two principal reasons
generally given for not attempting their
culture. But the great increase in the
number of nurseries during the past
twenty years has had the effect of reduc-
ing prices of forest-tree seedlings to such
an extent that they may now be consid.
cred as within the reach of all who may
desire them. The skill required to sue
cessfully plant such trees is more imagin-
AIRY than real. A man who has enough
knowledge of plant life to transplant cab
bages or tomatoes will find no great diff
Guilty in making the ordinary kinds of
forest-tree seedlings, as received from the
nurseries, live and thrive.
LIN6ulllluR llldL lllONl lhIllltIS hOulNl DTG-
fer to start with plants instead of seeds
and, in fact, this as general rule would
prove TO be the most economical way to
proceed-the first things to be considered
are the prices and most suitable kinds.
To those living in cold climates we would
recommend only such kinds us are known
TO be hardy and of rapid growth. We
would also advise purchasing young seed
lings, say from one to three years old, as
these cost less at the nurseries, and the
! freight upon them will be less in proper
| tion to number; besides which, they will
be more likely TO live than larger trees.
We will suppose that man who has
no trees growing about his place would
be satisfied to commence with thousand,
adding more from time to time, as his
means admit. This quantity would cost,
upon an average, $50, or two cents each,
in almost any Of our leading nurseries,
either in the Eastern or Western States.
These prices are for leading forest trees,
which are alike valuable for shade, tim
ber, and shelter. Some kinds can be
obtained much cheaper. For instance,
silver maple, sugar maple, ash leaved
maple, cottonwood, honey locust, and
several Other kinds are frequently offered
for less than So per thousand, or one-half
cent each There are also several kinds
of evergreens TO be had at equally cheap
rates while small. We find that Austrian
white pitch and Scotch pines, nine to
twelve inches high, are offered by West
ern nurserymen at an average OF about
one cent each, when 500 or more of kind
are taken. The various species of spruce
can be obtained at about the same rates.
Now, our farmers have only to look ahead
q few years TO see what an investment of
$25 in such small, cheap trees may be.
come with the addition of little labor
in care and culture.
On the arrival of such trees as we have
described from the nursery, they should
be Immediately unpacked, and unless the
weather and ground are both favorable for
setting out, the roots should be puddled,
and the plants carefully heeled in where
they may remain until preparations can
be made for final planting. The pudding,
as il is termed, which Is nothing more
than dipping the roots in thin mud, mixed