Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1900-12-14
one of our cottonwoods sent to the

~
years ago measured seven feet in
diameter and an oak six feet in
diameter. This know to be true
because I measured their stumps
on the banks of the Red River.
Our seedlings are many and of the
best grade; IL forest seeds are
very superior as to development
and terminating qualities and
millions of the seedlings and seeds
are annually sold by our nursery
man. The acorns, large nuts and
forest seeds of our state would
fill many car loads each year, and
the production of our wild plums,
June berries, buffalo berries and
choke cherries, pin and sand
cherries and high bush cranberries
and wild grapes would fill numer-
Gus ocean steamers each returning
year. Our native wild fruit con-
sists of at least fifteen different
varieties and all are susceptible of
successful domestication. In pas
sing here I will state: We are al
ready raising quite an amount
of apples in North Dakota. This
is true as to the counties of Rich
land, Trail, Cass, Grand Forks,
. Pembina, Stutsman and Burleigh
county. Hon. R. b. Hankinson,
of Hankinson, Richland county,
raised fifty bushels Of superior
apples this year. His apples on
exhibition at the Omaha Fair won
a diploma and a silver medal-a
credit indeed to the individual and
to our progressive state. The
raising of apples in our common
wealth, I venture to predict, will
in time become a remunerative
industry and add much to the
health and benefit Of the people at
large. AS with the grains so with
the trees, certain principles or
modes of action must be observed
in order to obtain favorable results
in tree culture. among which are
these: The soil must be plowed
deep and thoroughly pulverized,
all grass and weeds to be complete
ly eradicated. The stock, trees or
seeds, to be sound and hardy, and
northern grown, if possible; the
roots to be many as circumstances
will allow; the small hair roots to
be saved with the utmost care; all
decayed and broken roots and
limbs to be removed; the crown to
be carefully trimmed to make it
balance with the roots; the roots
must be most carefully protected
from the sun, light, heat and wind.
The trees to be planted close so as
to shade the ground and each
other IN order to retard evapora-
ton and conserve the moisture Of
the soil; the trees to be thinned
out when too crowded; a sufi-
cheney of moisture to be proved
at all times, according to the ma
ture and demands of the trees; but
one of the prime and important
requisites is thorough cultivation
of the soil from year to year for
the purpose Of loosening the soil
for the admission Of light, air and
water and to promote capillary
action and the better husbandry
of moisture, for without a suffi-
cheney of the same no trees can
be made to grow in any part of
the earth. The farmer will meet
with the best results by cultiva-
ton Of his trees at least twice a
year and for four or six or more
successive seasons. If this cannot
be done thorough mulching will
work most advantageously. The
trees that are well adapted to our
soil and climate are these: Cotton
wood, poplar, box elder, the ashes,
the oaks, blackberry, Eastwood,
soft maple, balm of gilead, the
elms, the willows of which the
white willow is the most desirable,
mountain ash, etc. Our best
native fruit consists of the plum,
Juneberry, buffalo berry, high
bush cranberry, choke, pin and
sand cherry. currants, %gooseberries
and wild grape. While no bounty
is offered by North Dakota for
tree culture in our state, neverthe-
less our progress in that line is
steadily increasing and most
promising. Some years ago, |
originated a forestry movement
known as the Sylvaton System, or
the interesting Of the young in the
question Of forestry. It is in
practical operation. It embraces
all the school children of our state
and it's aim is to cover all phases
of forestry, especially the matter
of tree culture. The working Of
the system is most satisfactory.
Each year at my own expense, in
the name Of North Dakota Sylvaton
Society, I send out millions Of