The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-24
TREES In Waste AREAS
How Farmers Are Aided BY the
Agricultural Department.
Cooperative Plans Arranged Re-
tween Planters in DcsOlatc West
erp Regions md the Division of
Forcstry-Thc Fostering of Or
chards on the Distant Prairfcs.

The value of trees as protectors and
beautifiers of the land, not TO speak of the
profits they yield in timber. render the
knowledge of how to plant and care for
them indispensable to the agriculturist in
every section of the country.
The Forestry Division of the Department
of Agriculture. recognizing this. and also
the fact that many farmers do not under
stand how to properly utilize and care for
these noble products Of nature, has I'M
dertaken to cooperate with prospective
planters of wood lots. shelter belts, wind
breaks, and other plantations OF forest
trees.
This method of corporation consists in
sending expert tree planters to examine
the land. the owners of which have re-
quested the aid of the department, for the
purpose of making working plans and su-
perintending the actual process of plant
Ing. etc. as far as may bs found necessary.
The owner may thereby secure the aid
of the Government by signing written
agreement. for which he has previously
made application to the Agricultural De-
partment, and which stipuiates that while
he shall bear the expense Of planting and
caring for the trees, as we'll as furnishing
the seeds and stock, he shall be entitled
to the services OF one OF the agents OF the
Forestry Division, who will instruct him in
all matters necessary for the proper con-
duct of the work.
He is notified when this agent may be
expected to visit him. and later, the day
nd NJ to r-fS 10
expert. accompanied by the applicant. goes
over the ground of the proposed plantation
or plantations. II there be more than one,
and obtains all the available data that can
be of assistance TO him in making TIE
plans. This personal examination is neces-
sary on account of the effect of local con-
ditions on tree growth The following Is
some CT these considerations which it is
necessary to determine before making tie
plans:
First-In prairie regions. trees that sue
coed CT bottom and beach land, frequently
fail on upland.
Second-The position Of the farm build
ings and orchards must be known. in Or
der to plant shelter-beds and wird-bre AIS
most advantageously.
Third-The local soil and moisture con-
dftions determine, in large measure, the
best trees to plant, and the best place for
the plantation.
Fourth-The purpose of the plantation
must, in a degree, determine the kinds OF
trees to plant
From the data obtained by this personal
examination and consultation with thu sp-
=. plicart, the planting plans are made ard
sent 10 the owner. These plans include a
carefully prepared map CT the whole CT part
Of the farm visited. having the proposed
wind-hreaks, wood lots, shelter-belts. or
kcr n. ,Ia ed
The Instructions Incorporated in the pant
ing plans amount to clearly worded speci-
cations. giving the way to plant. and tie
number of each species required to con-
piete the plantation. Sundry Instructions
are also included regarding the growing of
forest trees, seedlings, care of nursery
stock. special care Of evergreens. and the
preparation OF the soil.
AT the time the examination is made
by the agent. the applicant signs tie
agreement at the first point indicated,
thus expressing his desire to have plant
ing plans prepared under the conditions
stated therein. After these are prepared
they are transmitted to the owner, and, if
accepted by him. he signs the agreement
Enclosed with the plans. at the second
point indicated, and returns it to the Dr.
vision of Forestry. In instances where 1t
it considered necessary, and when circum-
operative plantations after the plans have
beeen put into execution, and. in some
cases. during the time Of planting, but
such visits are made at the expense OF the
Division of Forestry unless specifically
requested by the applicant.
Twelve Months Experience.
This plan of cooperation, which has |
been in practice less than year. has al |
aIr-
suits in bringing the department. into |
closer relations with landowners desiring
TO establish plantations of forest trees.
Although applications have been received
from all over the country, it is principally
in the treeless regions of the West that
the benefits Of the plan have been rem
dered most apparent. In fact" said an
official OF the Agricultural Department,
more than 90 per cent have come from
Texas Oklahoma. Kansas. Nebraska, ard
the Dekotas. regions where tree planting
Is most needed for protection to stock
and buildings, and for fuel,
posts. and other farm purposes. The man
ner in which art has been enabled to sup
plant the processes of nature has never
perhaps been so well exemplifed as in the
planting Of trees in regions where natural
conditions were a.tagcaistic to their
growth.
Examples Of this are to be seen in the
localities adjacent to the great plains be-
tween the Rocky Mountains and the Mis-
bissippi River, where there is both an
eastern and western limit of tree growth
Under natural conditions-that is. place
where trees give way to lower forms Of
vegetation. This limit is largely fixed by
the amount and tie season of rainfall, al
though before the period of settlement IT
was determined to a considerable extent
by prairie fires. II We plant trees beyond
his limit. 1t is evident that they will have
10 be handled differently from the way
nature treats the trees which spring from
seeds blown or otherwise carried upon
prairie lands from distant woodlands. In
he latter case the self-sown seeds fire.
,uently terminate. but in the struggle of
he young trees for existence among the
,rairie grasses they invariably die. If
hey did not there would be no prairies
Therefore. when young trees are planted
,eyond the limits of natural tree growth
hey must be given some advantage over |
he indigenous vegetation, Or they viii die.
or the same reason that trees starting
rom self-sown seeds die. Hence they
must be protected.
- Iiopdpi5 Eot q |
ted region OF this country in which some
.inds OF trees may not be made to grow
rhen given adequate assistance in the way ,
4 cult alton and irrigation. ,
In regions Of extremely adverse condi- +
ions only the hardest varieties exist, and ,
hen only as stunted, poorly developed | (
pecimens. even when the best effort is $
,ade TO modify the existing conditions. I,
IN the other hand. in prairie regions ad- Z
AGENT to natural woodlands. many varie- (