The Delta independent., 1889-04-23
TREE CULTURE ON THE PLAINS.
BY 3. e. Fernow, Chief Of Foresty
Division.

There is no better proof Of the pud-
ding than the eating. While people are de-
batting what could and what could not be
done some curious men will answer the
question by trying.
While some people contend that we can
not plant trees in the so-called arid regions
without irrigation, others have done it.
am not familiar with the locality from
which have the following report, but be-
licve that the section from which 1t comes
has the reputation Of belonging to the dis
trict where irrigation for tree growth IL
considered q necessity.
Says Mr.. Charles Green of Leroy, Colo,
81 am located thirty five miles north Of the
north line Of Kansas and about fifty miles
west Of the east line of Colorado on the
table lands, fifteen miles south Of the South
Platte.
~ have planted in the spring Of 1887,
catalpa speciosa, Russian mulberry, white
ash, soft maple and white willow cuttings,
all without irrigation; in new, unrotted
sod. Tho losses during the first two sea-
sons up to September l, 1883, were as fol-
lows:
SusoA SSSSiPSo. 40 "CtS eSo1 ~ w
naples, one half succumbed the first sea.
son, but of the 80 left not more than died
the second summer; Of tho l2 mulberries
only one was killed.
The growth was very small except Of the
! willow cuttings, one Of which making only
| q few inches the first season, but two feet
the second season. Box elder seed planted
last February, very thick, did well, making
| q growth Of one to two feet, many nearly
two feet Ash has not done 50 well. Some
OF my ncighbors have tried black locust,
which. in dry, gravelly soih made fine
growth. Black walnut seems 70 stand tho
climate well, but grows slowly.
What may be learned from this report IL
this The kinds OF timber tried, with the
exception Of ash (which Is not At for up
! lands), can be started In the region referred
| TO without irrigation. The losses occurred
not from an inherent incapacity OF the
species 70 live under tho local conditions,
but from an oversight or carelcssness in
handling the material.
1t il not safe TO gcneralife from this sue
ther progress of the plantation, unless 70
gard has been had for tho future in the
first plan Of planting. Such regard COP.
sists in the proper grouping Of tho various
species, namely one OF tho kinds, which
retains dense foliage underneath . less
| denscly foliagcd one; such . combination
| would be the locust mixed with the shadier
mulberry or box elder; tho soft maple with
| the catalpa- Only by such combination car
we expect that our plantations will pro
grcss satisfactorily through many seasons
the one kind supporting and aiding the 9th
or in maintaining favorable conditions q
shaded ground, which prevents evapora
ton.
.ln union there is strength"
should propose the following method o,
planting for the region in question, which
know il not orthodox, but yet having been
| advocated by me three or four years age
has been tried with success In Western
Ecbraska-
Break the sod and harrow Il fne with q
disk harrow in spring - soon ~ the soil ID
workable Plant trees At once in trenches
four feet apart, leaving tho rest Of the soil
undisturbed. In this manner you avoid
| drying out the soil, into which tho planta
arc set, providing mulch by the narrowed
sod, avoiding tho growth Of wecds during
tho first season At least, and catching the
falling rains In the trenches where It Is most
needed. Do not cultivate between the rowi
unless absolutely necessary.
should add TO the desirable kinds TO b
tried in tho region, and one that 10 . good
shadcr and rapid grower, the wild blaci
cherry (Prunus serotina).
B. E. EIRNow,
| Chief Of Forestry Division Department o,
Agriculture.
| WASHINGTON, March 8, 1859.