The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-06-01
FARM AND GRANGE.
MAKING WILLOW FENCE.

MAKING WILLOW FENCE.
Noticing an inquiry in the Helper re-
Gently, as to the mode Of planting the
white willow, answer from my obser-
walton and experience Of the past twenty
years. This (Story) county has more
willow fence, probably, than any other
in Iowa While many paintings have
been partial or total failures, there are
so many that have been successful that
the paintings are greatly extended every
year.
One essential principle in making q
fence with the willow, or with any other
tree that is thornless, must not be for
gotten. viz: that it is the strength OF the
plant that makes it a barrier to stock
1t follows that regular stand at the
proper distance apart, and the greatest
growth that can be made in a given time,
will soonest give good fence. This
disposes of several questions as to plash-
ing. bending, plating, cutting back,
etc. It is the natural habit of the tree
to grow upright; and in that direction,
with proper encouragement BY clean
culture, manure and mulching, the most
rapid growth may be obtained. Under
one inch ia diameter may be made each
year after the first. This is rarely done
but not more rarely than the fence row
receives clean culture. manure and
mulch, according to the demands OF the
soil and season.
Your correspondent inquiries as TO the
proper distance between the plants. Most
persons plant them too close; many not
more than six or eight inches apart II
it be borne in mind that good care ana
preparation will insure the growth OF eV-
cry cutting. it will be soon that no allow
ance need be made for lost plants. When
the trees have made diameter OF three
or four inches, say in four or five years,
if thew then stand no more than eight or
ten inches apart, they will protect the
enclosure from the passage OF domestic
animals, except young hogs 1t would
seem then, that a reasonable distance
apart NAV be as much as twelve inches.
As the trees continue to grow for an IN
definite period, in few years more the
: space will be greatly reduced, ana In
time growth will be made that will give
nearly solid wall. One important tact
in this connection is the dNarfing effect
{, of thick planting. have trees that stand
u alone, which have more than ten times
the growth of others planted thickly.
Many persons attach great Importance
to the size OF the cutting and the charac
ter of the wood. 1t is thought, and with
apparent good reason, that the most up
right and brightest growth makes the
! best cuttings. AS to size of cuttings the
practice varies widely. some use those
Of an half inch or less in diameter, and
only six.or eight inches long. These
they set in thoroughly prepared ro"
with the top bud on level with the sur
face or little below and by careful treat
Z ment obtain satisfactory results. Others
use cuttings of from eighty to thirty
inches in length, and one or more inches
in diameter, which they set. a foot OF
8 more in depth while others will use still
larger cuttings. setting them rs pickets,
growth is established. The latter is the
most laborious plan. requires the great.
est care, and is possibly in greater de
gree influenced by the peouliarities o
the season. In very dry seasons prompt
and heavy mulching OF such paintings
would be absolutely necessary; and IL
ordinary seasons would be very beneti
cial. In quite favorable years such plant
ings have been known to do well wher
set in prairie sod, il mulchingls not neg
lected
have only aimed in this article u
give some Of the principles and practices
that are to be attended to, avoiding de-
tails In . matter SO simple even as the
planting ola row OF willow cuttings there
will be successes and failures. 1t wei
done in every respect the result will bs
as certain aad satisfactory as the plant
ing and culture of corn in like manner
if done in . different style. the result
will be similar to that which may be ex
pected in a cornfield when the seed has
been such as CHANGED to be convenient
and where all the details in its manage
ment have been of like character. If any
of the readers of the Helper are in the
habit of,rusting 10 luck tor y corn crop
can give assurance that they will prob
ably have to ''replant their willows. or
vote it delusion and snare. Its
worthy trial, is Of great value. anc
even those who tail to make \ barrier TO,
stock should usually find the row worth
many times its cost tor fuel. poles, shade
windbreaks and improvement ofthe lard
scape.
The cuttings are usually sold at about
two dollars per thousand. making the
cost about three cents per rod for mate.
rial. Perhaps the whole cost Of the la
Dor per rod in growing the willow nigh,
approximate twenty five cents.