Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1883-01-31
TIMBER CULTURE.
How TO nAIss TREES SUCCESSFULLY IN
DAKOTA.

We copy the following inter
| esting aud instructive interview
from the Farmers Review, Of
Chicago. The gentleman inter
viewed was Mr.. A. II. Whitney,
OF Franklin Grove Illinois mos,
extensive orchardist, as well as
one of the most successful toresi
tree planters in the west. The
interviewer, as will be inferred,
was man who has contracted
the western tree planting fever,
In common with q large number
of people all over the country,
What Mr.. Whitney said lac
based on lie own experience,
backed by close and long obser-
vation.
Claim owner-Mr. Whitney,
IN common with many persons
from my county, | have been up
north to see "Tne Promised
Land" and, as most people do
who go there, | have located a
claim ander the homestead act,
aud also one under the timber
culture act. am going to Da-
kota to make my home, and |
want you to give me all the in.
formation you can, consistent
with old friendship aud good
nature, concerning planting u
forest and Its after care.
Mr.. Whitney-What l know
Is mt your service.
In the first place, how shall l
prepare my land? 1t is high and
dry prairie.
Break and raise one or more
crops of wheat, or other small
grain, before beginning your for
est plantation. The second year
plow and prepare your land as
you void for corn. Harrow aud
mark out four feet each way.
Plant in spring, sure, Us soon US
the ground is IN good condition.
How old should my trees be
from seed?
One or two years, according TO
variety.
How much help will / need to
do my planting?
Three men make good
team for forest tree planting
two with spades aud one 20 car
ry the trees. The first take a
row each, and prepare the holes.
The carrier thrusts the tree in
and the men with spades COM
pact the soil about the trees. In
dry soil pack it firmly; in wet
soil this will not do.
How many trees can these
three mon set in a day?
From $500 to $500 III ten
hours.
How deep should the trees be
set?
From one to two inches below
the collar.
How many trees do | need per
acre planted III this way!
Twenty i've hundred aud
fifty.
What variety would you ad-
wise me to set?
The kind that do best in your
locality, if there are any planta-
tions or native trees about you.
There are nc trees but the cot
tonwood.
Then set the black walnut,
butternut, green aud white ash,
soft maple and box elder, fash
leaved maple), and cottonwood
also, it YOU like it.
Shall | plant each variety by
itself!
Yes, with the exception of tho
walnut and butternut. To make
valuable trees, these, latter must
be set from one two rods apart
each way. The other trees act
as nurses to them. Walnuts by
themselves do not succeed four
feet each way. In after years,
III thinning out, you leave the
walnuts aud tho timber becomes
Deciduous trees are
never seen growing near mature
walnut trees. They die out OF
themselves If not removed.
Can / grow any kin of crops
among my young trees!
No. sir. :.
Shall / cultivate them in any
way?
Cultivate for two years 10 you
would corn just as faithfully,
but no later than you would
corn, or you will get an after
growth that will not mature.
Do the black walnuts trans
plant well?
Yes, sir. if you cut the tops
down to six or eight inches be-
fore planting.
Do any or all of these varie-
ties of trees need after pruningf
But very little. Ii more than
one leader cut back to within
six inches OF the body. This
will give yos q well-shaped tree,
DO the pruning after the leaves