Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1886-06-26

Preparing to Plant Trees.


shade, protection, and ornament are
numerous. Many do not have the
money to buy the young trees to plant,
and they do not know how to raise
them from seeds and cuttings. A
large number think that they must be
planted out in the spring to insure their
living and vigorous growth, and they
90 then too busy with preparing their
ground for crop and with sowing and
planting TO attend to the matter. Still
others think that all the land that is to
be devoted to trees must be put in the
same condition it is for crop of corn
or small grain before the trees are
planted, and that it then must be culti-
waited as corn ground is for quite
number of years. Having much to do
in improving their places, they delay
planting trees for protection against
the Wind producing shade, and afford
ing ornament for many years. Had
they planted trees at the time they COM
menced to improve their places their
farms would have presented very fine
appearance in the course of eight or
ten years. The trees would have been
of good size 10y the time buildings were
completed, fences were erected, and
the native sod subdued.
Some kinds of trees,-as ash, catalpa,
| and maple, doubtless do best when
set in land that has been well worked
for a number of years, and which is cul-
tivated, much as corn is, for several
years after the trees have been trans
planted 1t is certain that most kinds
of trees do not do well when set in
ground covered with growing sod. The
roots of grass are very vigorous, and
they take the moisture and nutriment
from the soil which young trees re-
qure. Large trees that have become
well established send their roots into
the soil far beyond the point reached
by the roots of grass, and grow well
even if there is a strong sod above their
roots. The roots of grass, however,
came in competition with those of small
trees and prevent them from making n
vigorous growth. Especially is this the
case when the young trees have been
taken from well-cultivated nursery.
There the roots have not had to fight
their way through hard soil, occupied
by the roots of grass. They have had
a chance to appropriate all the moisture
and plant food which the soil contains.
In removing them many of the roots
are broken off, or injured so that they
are in bad condition to grow unless
the soil into which they are transplant
ed is loose and free from grass.
1t is not necessary, however, to sub
due all the sod on land that is to be
partially devoted to trees intended for
furnishing fuel, afiording protection
against winds, and producing shade.
Neither is it necessary to cultivate all
the land occupied by the trees after
they are set out Larch, cottonwood,
elm, Eastwood, birch, poplar, and will
low trees appear to do best in soil that
is left undisturbed by the plow and cul-
tivator after they have been set out
The roots of some of these trees are
quite near the surface of the ground,
and if plow or cultivator is run near
them they are cut off or injured. If
broken or bruised they will throw up
sprouts which will serve to diminish
the growth of the parent trees, thus
forming dense mass of underbush
that is nearly useless for any purpose.
A forest or grove that is somewhat
open is most desirable. If the ground
is covered with a smooth green sod ii
will present a very fine appearance,
and be of considerable value for pas
ture purposes. 1t will be an agreeable
retreat for fowls during warm weather,
and the tender grass will afford them
excellent food. An open grove is an
excellent place for raising chickens, as
they are protected from the sun.
Ordinarily trees should stand eight
feet apart in n grove. If they are
planted along the side of road or in