Omaha daily bee., 1888-04-16

courts take up tho matter and add the
weight of their influence to make the
tree planting general. He gives tho
following hints on the best varieties OF
trees:
The best native forest trees: The elm, then
the maple, then the ash and box-eldof. IL
you can get them and can afford il, get the
sugar maple, tulip tree or linn tree; also, in
cities, use the sycamore. II stands the coal
smoke best. The best evergreens; Red
cedar, Norway spruce and white pine, Plant
IN clumps of five or seven, and not in Straight
lines so much.
Kansas has yet to give that attention
TO tree planting her conditions OF soil
and climate demand. The western part
of the state particularly needs the pres
euco of forests. To quote from MIR. Par
kor's paper in the fifth report OF the
state board Of agriculture: "Arboreal
culture is the most vital question before
the people of western Kansas. II one
eighth OF the territory could be covered
most productive portions of the country.
Forests would make this region u para
disc. They would undoubtedly prevent
the hot winds and would have q ton
dency TO drive tornadoes into the upper
regious of the atmosphere and render
them harmless" Mr.. Parker thinks
that in western Kansas it is useless to
plant sugar maple, beech, willows,
larches, frs and spruces. He recon-
mends the black walnut, the blackberry,
the ashleavcd maple, the green ash, the
honey locust and the wild cherry. The
red cedar is almost the only
which can be depended upon. Prof.
Popenoe of the Kansas agricultural
college reports that on the college
grounds the white ash has done we'll;
also black walnut, catalpa, soft maple
1.-THE last two on poor, gravelly, clay
soll), %ailantus, box alder and green ash.
He reports that the larch, hickory,
sugar maple, chestnut and Norway
spruce did not resist the dry summers
and locusts of 1872 and 1874. From the
rather meager reports Of the state au-
thorities it is evident hat no general
movement to extend forest culture has
been i~naugurated. Precise Information
as to the best varieties for the different
soils and climatic conditions does
not seem to have been So
cured, and the question is stin in
the experimental stage. There is no
doubt about the high utility of trees to
western Kansas. All the writer's admit
that general proposition. IL half the
money spent last year in boring for nat
ural gas had gone into young forests the
state would have an interest bearing
investment which in a few years would
be invaluable for its benefits to other
crops. For its instruction II what forest
culture a do in producing a direct
profit the experience of California NAV
be cited. 1t is said that the most valu-
able farm land in the world Is that
planted in English walnut trees in
southern California. The certain re-
turn is never less than 10 per cent. on
S 5000 an acre. The trees do not bear
for several years after they are planted
probably not before the seventh OF
eighth year--bnt when they once begin
they require little further attention and
rarely fail to give a crop. There is no
tree known which will give such a profit
in western Kansas, but no doubt a full
series of experiments would very soon
show what is the best for the artificial
forests which western Kansas must have.
In the eastern middle states people who
wish a tree of rapid growth and handt
some appearance select the Carolina
poplar. On poor soil it will grow in
three or four years to be n large and
snowy shade tree. Its wood is of little
value and 1t does not live long, but to
answer the purpose while more valuable
trees are growing in the east it has no
equal. Whether it can be depended
upon on western plains has, as far as re-
ports seem to go, not been determined.
QIhe manner of planting young trees
cannot be better described than in the
language of Mr.. M. w. Reynolds, who
has recently said in the Geuda Springs
Herald:
You can't stick a tree into a little consti-
pated hole without any room for the roots to
run out, dump on q lot of dry clods of dirt
and expect it will grow. The tree expects
better treatment. From kind heaven It re-
ceives refreshing dews and propituous show
ers and the warm, genial sunshine. II rebels
against any other sort of usage than that
which kind nature furnishes. The hole
should be ample, for an ordinary good sized
tree two feet and n half deep and from twoto
two and a half feet in diameter. Always go
below the hard pan. Then fill in with finely
pulverzed black dirt, or surface soil. Care
fully spread out the roots and fibers, put in
the fine soil a few inches, then tightly pack
the dirt. Unless ii is very wet put half TO u
full pail of water to each tree. Mulch with
coarse manure, and if convenient put some
stones upon the mutching TO hold it down,
keep the tree from swaying and to hold the
moisture. DO this and your trees will all live
providing they have sufficient root and the
roots were not exposed TO the dry winds so as
to parch the iibers while transplanting.
Every man, woman and child in Kan
sas ought to celebrate Arbor day by
planting a tree apiece. In western
Kansas they should get up early that
day and keep planting until dark.
Around farm houses, schools and
churches should be big groves. Along
the roads, by the bitches, on the hills,
in the bottoms should be rows of trees.
The people out there can not for one
day or one week be too crazy on the
subject of trees. Plant them this year,
and if necessary keep them mulched
and watered through tho summer. 1t
will be labor well expended. Get them
once started and they will grow on
whether they are cherished or neo-
lected. Like a life insurance policy
they not only afford needed protection
but act as a savings bank out Of whichin
a few years the owner can draw out
what he paid in with full interest and
accumulated profits. According to Mr..
Parker's calculation twenty acres out
OF every 100, planted in trees, will make
western Kansas a paradise. Land in a
paradise is worth at least S25 to $50 an
acre. How can western Kansas invest
its land and money better than in a
cheap CrOD which will thus advance the