The Dickinson press., 1903-05-02
PLANT TREES.
BY j. II. WORST.

Farmers can do nothing in the way
of permanent improvement of the
country that will produce a more
pleasing effect for the eye and at the
same time mitigate the severity Of
the winds and the probabilities of
drouth, than by planting trees. If
every cultivated quarter section Of
land in North Dakota contained five
acres of timber it would unques-.
tionably revolutionize the climatic
conditions of the stlte, and favora-
bly,. At the same time 1t would
make North Dakota one of the pref
tiest states of the Union. 1t would
be worth more to the state than all
the irrigation schemes that ever will
be devised and put into operation.
1t would put more water in the soil
than irrigation ever will and dis
tribute it over undulating as we'll as
over fiat lands. The salvation of
agricultural industry in the western
and northwestern sections of the
state may yet depend upon the cul-
tivation of forests. Irrigation is a
good thing so far as it can be prac-
ticed, but forestry is a better thing
for it will benefit all. Let US plant
trees on every farmland irrigate
wherever water can be turned upon
the land. The element of risk must
be eliminated from farming opera
lions as far as possible to make ag-
riculture highly profitable.
The remedy is an easy one. All
that is needed is for farmers to be-
gin now, this spring, and plant trees,
plenty of them, in groves large
enough to produce forest conditions.
Select five acres of cultivated
ground, ten acres if possible; pillow
deep and drag thoroughly. Mark
the ground in perfectly straight rows
eight feet apart. Plant an elm ev-
cry thirty-two feet in the row, an
ash or soft maple midway between
the elms and seven box. elder trees
Zone every two feet) between these
trees. You will now have trees two
feet apart n way and eight feet
apart the other way.
Plant seedlings n or two years
old by thrustlng a narrow spade deep
in the row, press the handle forward,
set trees in the opening thus made,
then lift the spade and press the
earth down with your foot. Trees
suitable for planting can be pur.
chased from nurseries for about
$3.50 per thousand. The roots OF
the trees must be kept moist from
the time they r taken up until they
are planted.
After planting procure an Acme
drag or other shallow cultivator sew
en- feet wide and cultivate The land
between the tree rows four or tive
times each season, permitting NJ
weeds or grass to grow. Should
any trees die, replant the following
season. After about five years tn,
shade from the trees and the faller
leaves will obvlate the necessity fol
further cultivation. The trees will
be so thickly set that their growth
will tend upward, as IN a forest, bu'
when they begin to crowd each 9th
err, the box elders can be gradually
!. thinned out, leaving the elms, asl
and soft naples for permanent tim.
Der. After five years the growth o
timber on each acre for fuel shoult
represent a money value equal t.
that produced by any grain crop
but without expense to the farmer
In the course of years it would be
come necessary, upon the removal Q
= a tree, to plant another in its plac
+ to continue the forest. The tree
S may be distributed differently tina