The Bemidji pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Beltrami County, Minn.) 1896-1917, 1897-04-15

NsI&1SSNSaSJHN Amsterdam, Hol-
~NNG q land, writes in Gar
den and Forest as
follows:
The Dutch dunes are similar to
those OF New Jersey, and unless the
soil is covered it is shifted by wind
and wave. More than 1000 acres OF
land in the neighborhood Of the town
Of Bergen is owned by the government.
This is very much like the dunc laho
near Avelon, on the Jersey shore'
There are residences surrounded by
large trees in the lee Of the Dutch
dunes, but everything has been plant
ed, even the famous forest between the
Hague and Scheyingen, the Atiantlc
City Of Holland, and 1t will cost the
government at least 100000 gulden 10
| plant it's dune lands in forest. Many
private holders in this region are not
in favor of this work, some preferrlng
10 see it in its unproductlVe state
mainly for hunting purposes. ihe
principal game, however. is RADIUS
and their determination has been ne-
creed because they are very destruct-
i've. Thirty years ago experiments
we're begun by the famous geologlst
Staring for the planting Of the dunes,
but the work was frowned upon and
discontinued; the trees which ne
planted still remain. In the eastern
Ind southern parts OF Holland there
ire vast stretches Of rolling heath
ands, a continuation OF the Luneperg-
r. Heide in Hanover, which stretches
through Schleswig- Holstein and Den
mark to near the Zuyder Zee in Hoi-
and. The soil is sand and gravel,
mainly glacial drift, in which may De
teen irregular ice-worn pieces OF rock
rom the Scandinavian peninsula.
There are reasons for believing
hat at one time this region was
PARTLY forested. The names OF
places in old Dutch often mean
,orest or wood, and Mr.. J. II.
schober, the pioneer of heath plant
ng in Holland, found part OF tne
runk of a large oak buried deep LII
he ground in his plantation at Scho-
,enhorst. A few sheep can live upon
he scanty heritage, and as soon as d
little humus forms on the surface IL
8 removed by the peasants TO mia
With manure. The beating force Oh
winds and rains has compacted anu
cached the surface soil. Low heather
ind crisp lichens cover the ground
.eminding one Of the sterile fields II
,outhern New Jersey. It is even more l'l
barren than the fire-swept plains OF
Ocean county, in that state. Win
work. this whole heath can De re-
claimed. The huge experiment winch
Mr.. Schober has had the patience ana
patriotism to begin proves that trees
will grow there. A careful working
md a little enrichment Of the SOIL are
III that are needed at first. When Mr..
schober began his plantation at Put
len, 40 years ago, it was all desert
heath. Conifers from all parts OF the
world are growing there luxuriantly,
md although his experiments will not
oe complete for years to come, they
show, at least, that great variety OF
,onifers will grow on the heath lands
IF Holland, and that certain species
ire OF course, much better adapted to
he soil and climate than others. Many
tests must be made before conclusions
IS to the very best varieties are war
ranted. Mr.. Schober has planted also
large quantities of Scotch pine, from
which he receives a revenue. This
wood Is cut and carefully sorted. and
the poles are shipped to the Belgian
mines. What surprised me most on
This remarkable plantation was to see
species from the Rocky Mountains and
the Atlas Mountains thriving in these
heathlands. The most beautiful trees
In this large pinetum, as I saw them,
were Abies nobilis and Cedrus Allan
tica. A great deal of private planting
has been done in Holland with very
little encouragement from the govern
ment In the southern part there are
large areas in Scotch pine and coppice
3ak. The willow has been planted in
immense quantities along the LEX, the
| Rhine, the Mas and WAL. In the
| sandy heath regions much Of the soil
has been improved by planting one Of
the lupines, Lupinus luteus, beautiful
plant, which may be useful in Amer
| lea as a green manure, since it seems
to flourish on very sandy soil. The
American locust, Robinia pseudacacia,
Is a favorite tree here, since it grows
we'll on poor soils, and it Is quite the
| custom to plant it along railroad en-
bankments. 1t is also favorite shade
| tree in many German cities, and, when
properly trimmed, it has few equals
| for the purpose. Our wild cherry,
Prunus serotina, also seems to thrive
on the heath lands.
|