The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-08-20
Some Trees For the South.
Dos

is discussed and he gives the expert
ence Of sorle who have been trying 1t.
He says:
Very few people have any desire to
put out young trees. and the average
Georgia farmer who has such a ten
dency puts his every energy to the
task of setting out fruit trees alone
generally peaches-but in my obServa-
tons l have noted q case in particular
in which trees other than fruit trees
figured conspicuously. In this instance
the person in question became the pos
SCISSOR OF q piece Of land that might be
considered poor property by some. On
the place were several old fields, appar-
emily barren. with here and there a
scrubby bush. The new owner de-
voted his attention to bringing up
these old fields partly with leguminous
plants and partly by planting out trees.
By many the tree planting was con-
sidered Il fad in connection with other
so-callcd eccentric experiments, but as
1t was not expensive to me. l watched
the result. On q poor red gall q rev
young China berry trees were put out
in the depressions where some fertile
soil had accumulated. and these trees
grew rapidly and spread out over prac-
ticaliy the entire plot. The luXurlant
foliage when shed caught up in piles.
and the washing of the soil Tor simply
the EARTH Was stayed, and in a re-
markably short space Of years the land
was in condition to cultivate with pro-
fit. The China berry tree is q rapid
wood producer, is easily destroyed
and is certainly a good thing to bring
I'D rolling land in the South.
One Of the ideal inexpensive trees
tina. will grow on the poorest lands is
the persimmon, and aside from build
ing up land, they are valuable in two
respects at least. The trees begin
bearing at two or three years Of age,
and the fruit is q great food for hogs.
beginning to ripen when autumn leaves
begin to fall, and continuing until long
after frost and freezes. Given a suffi-
Gent quantity, hogs fatten quickly and
relish the food.
But the greatest benefit that can be
derived from the persimmon tree is in
the sale OF the wood. l understand
the wood brings a big price, it being
used extensively in making spo Dis for
the factories and for various other pur'
poses. OF one thing I am certain. and
that Is the wood brings q big price In
the markets. These two trees, l sup
pose. indigenous TO all u Southern
country. and are inexpensive so far as
procuring seed or trees is concerned
Another equally inexpensive tree Is
the black walnut. but I've never seen
them grow very large. except on rich
lands. Wherever an idle piece OF fer,
tile land is found, this tree might be
found profitable. as both the nut and
the timber are valuable, there being but
few woods selling as well as black
walnut timber
The study of forestry is becoming n
necessary one ali over the country, and
to give any thing in the way of an out
line would take much time and space.
However, where many trees are to
be planted, it is we'll to go to some en-
pense and plant trees that will yield a
big return. One case that has come
under my observation proves .conclu.
sively that it is true. 1t was the first
experiment with pecanS and English
walnuts NIaderia nuts} ever made In
this section. and l watched the prog
ress of the grove with interest, rs the
owner was a friend OF mine. The very
best nuts were procured and planted
with care. and to-day several trees are
bearing ard have more than paid for
the extra cost. And. at no extra
trouble hereafter, they will give larger
returns. Many object to planting
apple tsees because they are many
year in coming to the fruiting stage,
and for this reason many more object
to planting pecans. ETC.. but this is
fast being overcome by demonstratire
arguments as to the final result.
Be it cedar, apple. pear, pecan. wal
nut or persimmon that you put out. do
it with care as to distance and outline.
and your labors will show the work Of
art and nature beautifully combined,
md now is the time to start the work.