The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1901-02-21
TREE PLANTING.

attending the cultivation of trees in |
this treeless region; but the spirit of
tree culture has not slackened nor be-
come diminished by trials and re
verses Tree culture is being attend
ed with more success, and year after
year it is found that conditions be-
come better and the results more
satisfactory
This spring many Ford county
farmers Will plant trees and will add
to the beauty of their homes by plant
ing all varieties of trees.
Hon. r. NJ. Wright, Commissioner
of the Forestry Station, has made his
report, and from it we mike the fol-
lowing extracts:
=, During a life residence on the
plains, have been close, interest
ed observer of every experiment look
ing toward the betterment Of this sec
ton as "a home in all that the word
implies. I have been especially IN
terested in the propagation of trees.
They charm by their grace and beau
ty; they energize by their health
giving influence Our forests are
the great laboratories of nature; the
conseryatories of public health and
wealth; the most effective sanitary
agents known. They harmonic our
high and destructive winds into
balmy, redolent Dreezes. They are
conducive to moisture and rainfall,
and take an important part in domes-
tic and commercial economy, sup
pIving in large measure the home
fuel, fence-posts, etc, etc. AS "A wind
or snow-break, once established, they
have no equal, and are practically
indestructabIe; and right here L
would most earnestly call the atten-
ton of the railroads throughout the
West to the efficacy of a grown tim
Der snow-break. 1t Is no longer an
experiment, but a tried success. Sew
-eral years ago the Atchison, Topeka
e Santa Fe railroad set out several
of these snow breaks along their line
in this county, at localities that in the
past has been a source of yearly an
noyaDce and expense from snow
blockades With but little care and
attention they have grown into per
manent, indestructible snowbreak.
I would suggest the following rules
in setting out snow-or-wind-break
Prepare the ground by deep plowing
in the fall; the following spring Sc:
out two rows of black or honey locust
or Russian mulberry, with a row OF
Usage orange between, leaving suff
-cient space between rows fer cultiva-
ton the first few years with pillow
set close together and avoid trimming
for the first few years. By adopting
this plan the snowfall will be held
and drifts accumulate, which will
supply the needed moisture for theil
early start and growth.
The two forestry stations were
selected with the view of Thoroughly
testing the practicability of tres
growing on the arid plains, and, tt
make the test as crucial possible
they were each located on the highes
ground in their respective localities
As result, one of the most trying
diff eultier we have to contend witt
is the ever-present Kansas winds. II
excessive dry times the wind blow
the soil from the small top roots o
feeders. I have obviated this diff
Guilty, in measure, by mulchinI
with half-rotted hay or straw, whic
retains moisture and gives most ber
eficial results.
As to the varieties OF forest-tree
that are best adapted to successfr
growing in western Kansas, I wi
say that, in naming them, I spea
from a personal experience in thi
locality extending over a period {
thirty years. During this time ther
has scarcely been year that I ha.
not done something in the way
tree planting. / would recommen
the following varieties of trees fe
western Kansas, south of the Smok
rive: Cottonwood for the lowlanc
and along the streams; black locus
yellow locust, honey locust, viii
ash, catalpa. mulberry, soft mapl