The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1890-07-05
AGRICULTURAL TOPICS.
A FEW SUGGESTIONS FOR OUR
RURAL READERS.
Some Inform alton of Value to the Farmer,
stock Breeder, Bee-keeper, Housewife
and kItchen-Maid.
THE FARM.
Fuel for the Plains.

Martin Allen, addressing the Kansas
Board Of Agriculture, says: To grow
actual trees to cut and split into stove
wood of the Middle States takes time
for which 1--WE cannot wait; or, at best,
by beginning now, We can only hope to
obtain this}result as a luxury for our
children. After some thought and con-
siderable solicitation in my mind III be-
half of these people on the plains and
what they were to do for fuel, | blum
dered upon IAN idea that l trust may be
of some value to them 1t is scheme
to growla nual crops Of actual fire wood.
For this ,p .rpose let an acre or SO of the
best and 1.Ost productive land on each
farm be- selected; If In the sharp bend
of some sin.all stream, ravine, or even
canon, alb the better. Let it be put in
good sta tie of cultivation, and planted
with Year ing ailantus trees, four or five
feet apart each way, and let them be
we'll and thoroughly cultivated, as a crop
of corn or potatoes ought to be. or let
the whole be mulchec sufficiently we'll
to keep down all weeds. At the close
of the first years growth, or least before
the second one begins. cut all down
close to the, ground, and continue the
cultivation or mulching, whichever is
most desirable to the owner. If the
ground IS to thin, put on plenty of ma
bottom us mentioned above, it may be
helped py an overflow of water from a
dam accessible water-course.
The second year after planting, three
or more stalks may be expected to grow
from each plant or hill, and they should
be from the size of a broom handle TO
that of aN fork handle, or, under the
most favorable circumstances, even
much larger. These may all be cut of
in the fall, winter. or early spring
only to be followed by another crop Of
the same sort each succeeding year.
These 3mnual growths are easily and
rapidly calt into suitable lengths for
use in the stove, and will be found not
equal to the best split hickory. beach.
or hard II APPLE, but very fair tirewood.
far Outra: liking cottonwood, elm and all
other scta woods and containing no
small brlsh.
The sami-tropical foliage of this tree
is Quite pleasing to the eve. 1t is per
fectiy, at nome so far the hot sun
shine ,,an,t the other vicissltudes of our
cli;natel during the summer months are
concerned, and it is withal free from al
insect pests. 1t does not, however, al
WAYS eIuure our severest winters, anC
therefor,>when wanted for a permanent
tree it SD Guild lie planted on less fertile
soil, or tt e culture and manurlng be
less get. rous than when the annua-
crop of hrewood is the end to be OBJ
tanned.
This tree is easily grown from The
seed without preparation, and shoulc
be planted ao'out the time of planting
corn in well-prepared ground. 1t car
also be q own with much facility from,
root cuttings. Let no one attempt t"
grow it or the sod, or on ground thai,
Will proc uce nothing else, for in Sucl
case | am sure my sc ,eme would be
about as luch of u failure rs hill o.
corn or potatoes would under like con-
ditions.