Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1900-10-12
George L. clothier of the Department
of Forestry Working in this
State.
Enlisting the Interest of Farmers in
the State in Scientific Tree
Culture.
Some Practical Suggestions by an Eek.
pert as to Planting
of Trees.


forestry expert, who has been working
in North Dakota, came over on the
late train from west of the river Thurs
day afternoon, and visited with 0.
H. Will until the midnight trains ar
rival. In speaking of forestry work
in North Dakota, Mr.. Clothier says:
THE peopel of North Dakota have a
commonwealth of which they may well
be proud. Although nature has been
very profuse in comforting blessings
upon this state, she has not given
North Dakota her proportionate share
OF natural forests. 1t, therefore, be-
hooves man to improve upon the nat
ural forest conditions, if he would en-
joy all the good things that the land
is capable OF producing.
The tree flora of your state is excep-
tionally large for a prairie state and
may be considerably increased by the
introduction Of new species. 1t will
be many years, however, before foreign
sorts will exert any great influence
upon farmers plantations.
For economic purposes, the plantor
of trees must depend largely upon ma
tive species; and it happens that a
number of excellent sorts are found
native within the borders of the state.
The state Of North Dakota has taken
an advanced position ON the subject
OF tree planting. the efficient SER
vices of your superintendent of forest
ry, Hon. w. w. Barrett of Churches
Ferry have already left their marks
upon many a bleak prairie home.
Groves have sprung up all over your
youthful state as monuments to the
untiring industry of this excellent
man. May the good work go on, and
may the state of North Dakota support
the grand work Of Mr.. Barrett with
liberal appropriations, is the sincere
wish of the writer. The work of in
teresting the school children in tree
planting of which MI. Barrett is the
originator, deserves special commend
alton. If the children are trained IN
to love trees, the prosperity and beauty
of the future homes will be assured.
The United States department of
agriculture is also attempting to as
sist and interest farmers in tree plant
ing. Agents are sent out by the ma
tional division of forestry to examine
proposed sites for timber lots and
groves. These agents make planting
plans for farmers, prescribing the
kinds of trees, and %instructing the
Planter in the proper methods of
handling the same. The writer is juse
completing a tour Of the state in the
interests of this work.
One of the commonest mistakes that
farmers make in planting trees is that
OF planting only a single sort in 4
grove. Trees love company; they are
sociable beings, and thrive much bet
ter in mixtures than in pure planta-
lions. Another mistake is the exclu-
slve use of temporary varieties in the
plantation. The cottonwood. willow
poplars, and silver maple are tempo.
rary or short lived trees on dry I'D.
lands. If they are planted in such
situations, other long lived species
such as the bur oak, blackberry, white
elm and green ash should be mixed ~
with the same. The cottonwood is q
good pioneer tree because of it's rapid
growth, but it should always be SUP.
piemented with such trees as the elm
blackberry or b%oXelder, whose function
in early life will be to shade the
ground and keep the grasses and
weeds from choking the trees to death
Cottonwoods alone never cast sufficient
shade to protect the ground and in
sure their long life. There is nc
greater enemy to trees than grass, and
tae planter should plan to keep the
sod GU of his grove, if he expects it to
be "a permanent improvement. This
can be done much better with shade
than by cultivation. A grove should
be cultivated as long al the farmer can
get between the trees with his imple.
ments, but the time will come when
he will be compelled to cease cultiva.
ton. If the trees have been painted
in sufficient abundance and have been
properly mixed they will ultimately
take care of themselves by e 81
their own shade.
The blackberry IS a tree that deserves
special mention. It is not generally
known, and few nurseries grow it, 7,
is one Of the best trees we have TO,
planting on the arid western plains
II endures drouth, and coud as we'll a.
any tree found in North Dakota. and
is timber is equal to hard maple TO,
fuel. 1t is rather slow growing, bu,
all permanent trees in dry countries
must Of necessity grow slowly. Farm.
aTC 6Qa{rino t0 r1o~k kho l~.l--