River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-08-19
rnEEs ron rnAruE rLANrlsa.

The best tree to plant on our prarles for
quick shelter, shade and fuel IL the B0x Elder,
or AHh'ieayed Maple tNegundO aceroidcst. II
ir extremely hardy, NJ IL proved by IL being
found Ia river and creek bottoms, and On hill
sides which have been protected from the
prairie hfcF. IL j. sometimes frozen bnck
slightly the FIRST year after starting from seed
but viii make a steady Iand rapid growth there
after. IL II casIly aud cheaply raised from
seed, which can be obtained 81 almost any
sccdsman. IL weighs about twelve pounds
10 the buHhcl, which u estimated at about ten
thousand seeds. Six pounds Of seeds will plant
five acres, az required by timber culture law,
at four feet apart The seed should be gather
ed In the fall, when ripe, and may be planted at
once or kept until spring; IN the latter case II II
best 10 mix 1t with sand and store IN the cellar:
very few seeds will fail 10 grow II kept Ia this
way, aud the sand Is easily riftcd out In the
sprng
The seed may De sown thickly, IN drills three
or four feet apart, bat the seedlings should Dc
trans planted before they grow very large az
their tendency II 10 send down strong tap-ro0ts;
or they may be sowu in hills, four feet apart
each way, planting three or four seeds to the
hin; cultivate thoroughly aud keep free from
weeds.
Box Elder IL also ensIly grown from cuttings,
which should be made n the fall, before severe
freezing weather. The twO-year-od wood il
preferable, cut ten or twelve inches long tied IN
bundles, butt ends all one way, and stored free
from frost. Ia the spring select dry, sunny
spot, place them on end, butts up, aud cover
with about two inches OF light, rich soil. shcl.
ter with sGsh, or oiled cotton cloth tackled on
frames, and sprinkle occasionally; or cover with
twelve or eighteen inches Of fernentlng manure.
by the time the ground II III to be worked the
cuttings will have formed a cnllus, and grow i'm
mediately,
For permanent plantation the soil should be
thoroughly subdued and put IN good condition
az would be required % raise a good crop Of
corn. Rows eight feet apart aud two feet Ia
the row, will not answer the same purpose ne
four by four feet, the object being 20 quickly
shade the whole surface Of the ground and to
cause the trees To grow tail and straight, with
few eide bfauchcs- When the trees are two
years old, they can be manipulated into the
prairie sod without breaking II; in which case a
large hole should be dug out FOR each tree, and
filled up " th I'D sOcs. The newly planted trees
should be we'll mnlched-slx inches deep, and
five or Fix feet across, Il none too much mulch
ing bat trees planted will not grow "a fast
a. those IN well cultivated ground.
The tree attains "A height OF from Fifty 10 slx-
" feet with diameter OF eighteen or twenty
incher, and although il cannot be recommended
for timber l. il Of great value for fuel and shell
ter. II grows very rapidly Gun be trimmed TO
any shape desired, and will stand the toughest
treatment. syrup aud sugar f. also made
from the sap, approaching the maple syrup In IL
richness and wnitcncss; pailfnl % rap Il said
10 make half gallon % syrup.