The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-06-29
CORRESPONDENCE
THE WHITE WILLOW.

An Iowa paper puoilsHcS Iuo UNIV"
ing blast against the White Willow,
favorite tree for tree planting in Iowa;
"WHITE WILLow.-It is strange that,
after the repeated failure of the willow
for fencing, farmers should still be will
inc and anxious to try the experiment.
It has been my lot to travel through
some of the counties where willow has
been on trial for many years, and that
quite extensively, and l have the first
complete willow fence vet to see. |
have talked with scores OF farmers who
have their farms set (not tencedD with it,
who would give almost any price II the
willow was away. They have but one
apology for it, that it makes good wind
break But farmers must learn that II
wind break and IA fence are two different
things. The objections are: lst, that it
does not make Il good fence. At Ger
tain stage, ii properly treated, say at
three or four wears old, it seems TO look
like fence; but soon the trees enlarge.
many of them die, aud your fence i, ruin
ed
End, 1t damages a farm more than it
would cost to build and keep in repair a
good pine board fence and cedar posts.
Farmers tell me that tor two rods, and
often more, on each side of their willow
hedges the land is worthless.
Sd The size and vigorous growth OF
the willow trees forbid their being raised
SO close together as is necessary to make
a tence, or being dwarted and kept
down like sone other kinds of hedging
4th. In the last few years, a small par
asite in innumerable hosts. has attacked
it and killed much OF it, The subject OF
fencing is one which affects the interests
of the farmers more than any other, and
should be considered with care and at
tention. Good fences make good neigh
bors; good neighbors make good com
munities. Bad fences, next to intemper-
ance, are one of the most fruitful source:
OF trouble and crime. 1t is subec
which we should consider, both tinan
cially aud morally, and it might vel
claim the attention of the Polk Count,
Farmers Club, and every other club an,
grange in the state"
F. +. BLYLER.
We will have to call on brother Hodge
tor his experience. Another write
saws YOU cannot raise an orchard in
side an enclosure OF white willow; tina
nothing will grow within twenty feet c
them.
ST. PAUL. June II. 1876.
Friend Donaelly:
In Your issue of the 10Th inst, motto
the ..blast" from Iowa against the Whit
Willow.
Now the White Willow can stand \
such "blasts" with IMMUNITY 1t wi
come as near taking care OF itself as an
vegetable am acquainted with. Yet
answer to your call, and fearing some
the timid and ignorant may postpon
work OF the first Importance in cons
ouence OF just such ''blasts." venture
remark:
lst. Tha, the White Willow proper
handled does make tence. Proof y
1878 noticed Wheeler's farm. two mil,
north oil EYota, surrounded with Viii
Willow five years old; field planted wi
care: horses and cattle swarmiug &
highway adjoining; corn unmolested
them; the Willow afording compile
protection.
end. Damage" to farms. |, or Al
other man, can refer you TO hundreds
farms that have been doubled in val
within five years by planting the VIII
Willow around them. To those farl
crs who have planted White Willow
their farms, and ..would give almost .
price to have them AWAY We wou
merely ask. why don't YOU grub tht