The Dickinson press., 1889-11-16
The White Willow for Prairie Planting.

The White Willow for Prairie Planting.
Commissioner of Immigration
Groat, of the Northern Pacific. fur
nishes us the following treatise on
the white willow for prairie planting,
by r. Sykes, of hardwood, Lyon Co.,
Iowa. Those of our farmers inter.
ested in tree culture should try the
experiment and test the value of the
white willow:
Having proved the very great value
of the white willow for prairie plant
ing, whether as Il hedge u wind
break, or as a forest tree in groves, |
take the liberty of recommending it
to all who are interested in the prai.
rie districts of North America. and
more especially Of North and South
Dakota.
The white OF Huntingdon willow
(SaliX Alba) is Il native of Europe.
and, Judging from the specimens to
he seer in the Eastern states. was
long ago introduced into America.
The earlier settlers in Illinois planted
it extensively as Il wind-break. AL.
though not a native. it is a long-lived
tree in America and far more useful
than any of the native species found
east of the Rocky mountain.
There is II variety of it known us
the Golden Twigged" (vitellina)
which is equally as hardy as the COM
mon variety, and is perhaps more or
namental.
The white willow on the prairie is
probably harder :nd a more rapid
grower than amy other tree. No tree
is more easily raised. 1t may be
termed the "Pionccr" tree of the
prairie, and it is quite certain that
many less hardy kinds of trees will
fail to grow except under the protcc-
ton such as the willow, in the form
of Il hedge or wind-brcak. offers.
At hardwood, Iowa, within -four
miles of the boundary line between
Minnesota. Dakota and Iowa. there
are several miles of white willow
hedges from 20 to 80 feet in height,
which were planted 10 to Is Yeas
ago. Their influence upon the crops
in that district is marvellous; afford
ing, as they do. shelter from the cold
North winds, and. what is still more
important. from the hot South winds
As soon as the farms of South and
North Dakota are surrounded with
such willow hedges. the Scorchine
effect of tie hot winds will be modi
fed. and the blizzard will cease to be
a terror.
The following is Il fair estimate OF
the expense of planting and cultivat
ing a wi,iov ledge around a quarter
section FARM
1000 willow cuttings freight in
cluded) Sl'
Flowing and preparing a strip of
land, II feet wide and . miles
long 81
subsequent cultivation 81
Total So
Thus at the end Of five gears, fol al
average annual outlay of 50, the own
er has two miles of living fence J.
, feet high, which will turn stock, an
which has cost him the moderat
sum of IA cents per rod. Moreover
: he has increased the marketable val
: uc of his farm by at least 50 per acre
: leaving 4 balance in his favor of $23(
However, the owner will be les
4 disposed to sell Il farm which had
. under his care, begun to assume
! homelike appearance. He will 500
find that the protection afforded b
: Lis hedge enables him to raise
. grove Of evergreen and other tree
t around his house and farm building
$ and lie may safely venture to plan
f al orchard of apple and other fru
trees. Moreover, his grain and gra;
crops will be more productive, an
i owing to increased shelter ar
warmth. his live stock will consun
less food during the winter and wi