Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-10-24
TREES FOR RoADSlDES
They Add Very Materially the vaIao
of Farm Lands.


r. W. Steere, Carthage, Ind, before
the Indiana Horticultural society spoke
as follows:
In planting trees along our highways
the narrow roads in many places would
appear as one of the chief difficulties
to be overcome. I have been accus-
toned to icur-rod roads, as in Michi-
gan all section line roads are, by law.
and most of the laid-out roads are the
same. This width allows the row of
trees to be planted eight feet from the
fence, giving nice sidewalk for school
children and calling neighbors, an inn
portant matter on dirt roads. The rem
edy that suggests itself for narrow
roads is to set the row close to the
fence, in the field or out, with walk
outside of it. In the discussion of best
kinds see that some recommend fruit
trees. Experience has repeatedly shown
that this is a mistake. Where tried, I
have seen long rows of cherry trees.
even Morelloes, dead or half dead
Pears are subject to blight, etc. Ap-
pie may be the best, but we who are
old know that their healthy, vigorous
| life, at the longest. quite limited.
In such work it is well to look away
| ahead, a generation or so, to realize
| that the trees we plant may not be in
| their prime, under 20, 30, so or more
years. AS to kinds. it is pretty safe
| rule to plant natives that flourish in
your own section. Naples are good
| most anywhere-sugar maple pre-
| ferred, but beware of too many of one
| kind. Let remember that we are
planting for the public well as our
selves, and break the monotony by in
| terspersing here and there walnut,
tulip poplar, oak, hickory, elm, linden,
ash. blackberry, honest locust. box
| elder, etc. or a whole row of any of the
| best of these where easily obtained. 1t
will be noticed that contrary to the
common idea, mixed row may be
beautiful. 1 have seen this verified
| where. in clearing land, several kinds
| were preserved without trying to have
the straight, or by trimming mp
Il young growth that has sprung up
| along the highway fence. Such was the
case in front of our own little place m
| Michigan. Whatever others thought,
| it very pleasant to us to have i'm
plain view white oak, black and red
oak, linden, sassafras, butternut, she'll
| bark, pignut, three four kinds, all
sweet. and one fine bitternut, and last
! in damp soil, one grand, native elm,
| in whose dropping branches the hang
bird annually swung his purse. Where
| there was loom, / put in maple or
chestnut, and in narrower spaces q
| white pine o. Norway spruce. I would
| not, however, recommend chestnut in
most Indiana soils.
No doubt many are preparing to plant
this spring, and should be well in
| formed as to distances, kinds, etc.
Would it not be possible to send a
little circular to the county societies.
giving the proper information? Be
ginners early always want to set too
close. often paying for or digging double
the number needed.
| New York. after her long experience,
has made 10 feet the legal distance,
| and Michigan law says not less than co
feet. These long openings may be
| broken for a time with some small
tree or large shrub or evergreen q s dog
wood. service or Jnneberry, mulberry.
papaw. red bud, blue beech. black haw,
| mountain ash, purple fringe. etc. Nur-
sery trees are generally the best rooted
In any case, set small trees and avoid
tall poles. have seen beautiful rows OF
i golden and weeping willows, the latter
not hardy enough here. Lombardy pop
lar. also. should be avoided. as short
lived. There is a tree. however. that
grows like Lombardy that might he
substituted-the Bolena poplar. 1t ap-
pears to be hardy, does the Carolina
poplar. a very apid-spreading grower.
| Both are found in the nurseries. I
| have not mentioned the cucumbe tree
which is often beautiful. but am MT
making a special point of naming the
kinds. Iwotfir-rather desire to press the
point of not planting too many of any
one kind. Take, for instance. a long
stretch of any one kind of maple. The
monotony of SO many trees almost ex-
actly alike may become tiresome. but
if the opposite side of the road has a
different tree. the row of naples is
suddenly broken by Gins. waInrts. lin
dens or any other kind. you are ready
to throw your hands and cry eureka,
/ have seen this monotony wonderfully
relieved by inserting an occasional ASH.
elm, wild cherry. most any other
kind. and you feel like thanking the
thoughtful planter for his care.
will close by adding that. could pro-
prietors realize the immense Increased
value of their farms. made by roadside
planting. probably no other inducem
would be needed.
American Dried Fruit
In report to the state department
|, on the subject of American dried fruits
il Switzerland, United States Consul
Germain. at Zurich speaks of the sue
cess that attended the iDfrotlucf inn IN,