Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-01-14
TREE PLANTERS.
THEIR MEETING At THE CAPITOL
LIST NIGHT.
Excellent, Practical Address by Mr.. Hol-
lister Useful Discussion of Trees by
Messrs. Hodges, no'lister. Wilson and
Others-Otticers Elect of the Association.

Barely two dozen gentlemen had assem-
bled at the appointed hour in the Governors
room, at the capitol, last evening, to const1-
tute the annual meeting of the State Forestry
association. But the meeting fairly made
no in quality for the lack of numbers. In
the absence of the president and vice presi-
dents of the association, Hon. G.. l.. Becker
was called to the chair. The secretary, Hon.
L. B. Hodges read his minutes for the past
wear. and the treasurer, Hon. Pennock Pusey
read his report for the year, showing total
expenditure by the society of $500 SIS,
a balance on hand of 50 50. and also over
81 900 in the State treasury for the society
The matter of admitting members being
then taken up, the secretary stated that the
payment of one dollar entitled any
person to certificate Of life
membership. Inciden tally he mentioned
the receipt of letter from II. 2. Bonney,
of Manitoba, enclosing two dollars one for
membership certificate and the other for
the promotion of the society's objects.
THE ANNUAL ADDRESS.
Mr.. u. S. HOLSTER, of St. Paul, was then
introduced and read the association address,
in which, after extolling the Importance of
forestry and tho organization and purposes
of the association, he proceeded to speak of
the condition of the prairie regions
and discuss the causes of
their being treeless. His conclusions,
was that the absence of trees IN the prairie
country il not the result of uufavorable con-
dItious of soil or climate Beyond that, no
matter now Il is sufficient for US to know
that whatever reason may be given for the
absence of forests, not one can be maintain
ed which points to tue theory that the
prairies exist because trees will not grow
there.
But too MANY of those who are engaging
in the work of planting the prairies with
forest trees go To the work without system,
ignorantly, aud lose their tree claims and
condemn the law because their trees don't
grow Here the address mentions orders
from tree claim planters, exhibiting pltlabe
ignorance as to the trees, their seeds, and the
conditions of their growth.
The soil, the address argues, to be we'll
prepared for tree planting should be sub
dued to fit condition for corn planting.
Otherwise there is great danger of the
loose and lumpy soil admitting air to
the tree roots, which will dry them in
the hot, dry seaso Of the year, aud Kill
the trees. Bat the natural condition OF
the s Ill may be allowed FOR. In southwest Min
nesota, for instance, tho land is IA thorough
subdusd when he first grain crop is bar
vested, az it would be in the northwest afte'
two crops. Men must use their Judgments
bearing in mind that the better the condi-
ton of the soil the more economical and
profitable will be their tree planting opera
tons.
But, what to plant? IT is part of nature
that the most useless timber Is of the easies'
propagation and the most rapid growth.
Such is
THE COTTONWOOD.
Easy to propagate, hardy and rapid grow
er, but of poor texture, and It's timber of no
commercial value. But for the poor mar
planting tres claim. it Is the most vainabl'
of all. 1t is the only tree admitted on ?
tree claim that can be surely propa
gated both from cuttings and seeds.
The seed ripens here IN early June. 1t has
been considered difficult to handle. bat ma
ture annually grows millions of seedlings
which can usually te bought cheap. On the
tough, wiry sod of Big Stone county, in Oc-
tober last. thousands OF natural seedlings
were seen growing three miles away from
the trees on ground broken in June last.
The seeds should be lightly covered, after
which few days of moist atmosphere insures
success If the seeds become thoroughly
dried their vitality is killed. Sow just before
q rain and let the seeds take care of them
selves. If the seeds are fresh, you have a
good chance for success, no matter what IS
H. i l.
as the pods begin to open and, before they
heat, be spread in dry place. ont IF the
wind, to open, and then be sown. Kept over
winter the seeds are worthless.
AS the seed with its cottouy envelope, is
very light, a calm day must be selected for
sowing Thers are about seven thousand
seeds to the bushel.
In taking cottonwood cuttings choose
clean two year old wood or strong, well ripen-
ed yearlings. CIT twelve to fourteen inches
long, and as near one half inch in diameter
as convenient cutting will allow, for econo
my in transportation and handling. Never
take frozen cuttings. If cut in autumn or
on warm days of winter, pack them in damp
straw or sawdust until wanted. They bear
transportation we'll. Plant at least eight
inches deep, leaving two to four inches of
the cutting above ground. Plant as early liz
spring as possible, af.er the ground is settled.
If the ground is mellow, they may bs pushed
down by hand, but it is probably best to
make hole with dibble or bar, taking care
to tread the earth firmly about the cutting,
to exclude the air. This is important in all
tree planting.
But the safest and most satisfactory plant
ing of forest trees is from seedlings, and this
applies to all the decidous trees and ever
greens. 1t is bad p ,icy to plant where the
tree is to remain permanently. Better grow
the seedlings i'll a carefully prepared bed and
transplant them to their permanent location
when one, two or three years old. Seed
lings of oak, hickory, bLtternut and black
walnut. however transplant so badly that 1t
is better to plaut seeds of these trees in their
permanent location.
THE ASH LEAvED MAPLE
Or box-eder, is placed next to the cotton
wood, by the address, for prairie planting.
1t is hardy, a strong grower. Its timber is
good, better than the cottonwood, but it
cannot be- propagate by cuttings. 1t must
be started from the seed, which ripens in
September, and, if the ground is ready it
may be planted in the fall-coyering about
one inch thick. 1t is easily preserved (the
seed) through winter for spring planting by