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


Noticing an inquiry in the Helper re-
Gently, as to the mode Of planting th'
white willow, I answer from my obser-
walton and experience Of The past went,
years This (Story) county has more
willow fence, probably, than any othe
in Iowa. While nlany paintings hav'
been partial or total failures, there are
so many that have been successful tia
the paintings are greatly extended every
year
One essential principle il making ;
fence with the willow. OF With any othel
tree that is thornless, must not be tor
gotten. viz that it IS the strength or the
plant that makes i. q barrier to stock
1t follows that regular stand at the
proper distance apart, and the creates
growth that can be made II given time
will soonest give a good fence. This
disposes ofseveral questions as to plash
ing, bending, plating, cutting back
etc. 1t is the natural habit of the tree
to grow upright and in that direction
with proper encouragement By eleaf
culture manure and mulching, the mos
rapid growth may be obtained. Under
reasonably favorable circumstances
one ZACH in diameter may be made each
year after the first. This is rarely done
but not more rarely than the fence 70"
receives clean culture. manure and
mulch, according to the demands OF the
soil and season.
Your correspondent inquiries as 20 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 anu
preparation will insure the growth or eV-
cry cutting. it will be soon that no allow
ance need be made for lost plaats. When
the trees have made diameter o. three
or four inches, say ia tour or I'VE years.
if thew then stand no more than eight OF
ten inches apart they will protect the
enclosure from the passage Of domestic
animals, except Young hoys. 1t would
seem then, that q reasonable distance
apart NAV be as much as twelve inches.
As the trees continue to grow tor an IN
definite period, in a few years more the
space will be greatly reduced, and III
time growth will be made that WILL give
a nearly solid wall. One important tact
in this connection is the dwarting effect
of thick planting. have trees that stand
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, ana
only six.or eight inches long. Ines.
they set in thoroughly prepared 70"
with the top bud on a level with the sur
face or q little below and by careful treat
ment obtain satisfactory results. Other;
use cuttings of from eighty to thirty
inches in length, and one or more inches
ia diameter, which they set j loot OF
more IN depth while others viii use still
larger cuttings. setting them As pichets,
and have a fence as soon a healthy
growth is established The latter is tn,
most laborious plan. requires the great
est care, and is possibly ID q greater de
gree influenced by the peouliarities o.
the season In very dry seasons promp
and heavy mulching OF such plantlng'
would be absolutely necessary; and il
ordinary seasons would be very beneti
cial. In quite favorable years such plant
ings have been known to dc well wher
set in prairie sod. # inulchingls not neg
lected.
have only aimed ID this article Il
give some of the principles and practice:
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. II wei
done 10 every respect the result will bt
~ certain aad satisfactory a. the plant
ing and culture OF Germ III q ike manner
ii done in . different style. the result
Will be similar to that which may be ex
pected in u cornheld when the seed has
been such is CHANGED 10 be convenient
and where al the details Ia It's manage
ment have been OF ike character. Ii any
of the readers Of the Helper are in the
habit oflrustiug 20 luck tor corn crop
can give assurance that they viii proc
ably have to 'replant their willows. or
vote it = delusion aui snare. Il is
worthy trial. is Of great value. ana
even those who tail to make \ barrier 10,
stock should usually find the row worth
many times its cost tor tuel. poles. shade
windbrcaAs and improvement otthe laCd-
scape
The cuttings are usually sold as about
two dollars per thousand. making the
cost about taree cents per rod for mate
rial. Perhaps the whole cost Of the Ia
Dor per rod in growing the willow Nigh,
approximate twenty five cents.