New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1881-04-06
A Timely Contribution ON Tree
Planting:
Mulligan, Mimi, March ~, 81.
Editor RepieW:

Editor RevieV:
AS the season for tree planting is
now almost upon us, we thought a
few hints and suggestions asto the best
modes of planting and cultivating
trees might be Of interest to some Of
the readers Of your paper.
A few years ago, when these west.
ern prairies were first settled the PEG.
pie became aware of the necessity OF
planting trees around their houses and
barns, as a means of shelter and pro.
lection from the severe storms in wint.
er. And many now have nice groves
around their homes. True, these
groves provide shelter, and also dc
much in identifying home, but this
is not sufficient. The winter just
past, with all it's intense severity and
hardships, and the difficulty in obtain,
ing wood (Which with the increasing
demand, will in short time be almost
impossible to procure, presents to us
the still more urgent necessity Of
planting trees for fuel. In view Of
this fact, then, the questions to be
considered are, what kinds, at what
time and how should forest trees be
planted? With a limited experience
in experimenting with the various
kinds of trees usually planted upon
prairie lands, l am persuaded to be.
]ieve that the Cottonwood is the best
adapted to timber culture,-and fo1
these reasons.-lst. They can be rails.
ed from slips, I'd they are the surest
to grow, Sd they grow the fastest, 18th
they require the least cultivation. We
are aware that to grow trees success.
fully they mast be cultivated and kept
clean until they shall have attained a
height sufficient to render them cap.
able of resisting the immence growth
of weeds and vines which would other.
wise impede their growth, if not en-.
tirely kill them out. Cuttings should
be prepared and put into the ground
before the buds open, if they are not
their growth can in no case be assured
Opinions differ widely in regard tt
the best modes Of preparing the cut
tings. Some claim that the slips neec
| not be more than six inches in length
and may be cut from limbs of more
than one years growth. This may
do very we'll where the ground i
naturally very damp and wet, but a.
a rule, l think the cuttings should il
no case be cut from limbs that are O
more than one years growth, AM
should be at least twelve or fourtee,
inches long so that they may be press
ed down deep into the moist earth
Where slips are not put into tn
ground to proper depth they are ap
to dry out. Opinions differ equal,
in regard to the methods of planting
the slips. Some advise blowing
furrow and placing the slips in tn
bottom Of it and covering them up
This appears to me to be hurryin,
things too much. Tree planting, lik
everything else must be done system
atically, or failure will be the certain
result. I think better way is t.
have the ground plowed deep, wei
narrowed, and marked both ways, tn
rows four feet apart each way, thu
providing a better opportunity for GU
tivation. The slips should then b
pressed into the ground, in slantin'
direction, leaving two or three bud
above the ground. Then I think it
good plan to press the dirt around tn
Slip with the foot. I think the hes
time for setting slips is as soon as tn
frost is out sufficiently to allow tn
slip to be pressed into the ground
proper depth. This allows the benef
of the Spring rains. Very many fail
ures is caused by their being plante
too late. Perhaps some ofyour read
ers, who have had experience in tire
planting, will present us some add
tional suggestions, and thus rende
assistance to the practically intereste
in this subject, which at present
deem of great Importance.
| 7. A. w.