The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-09-22
WILL AID FARMERS.
federal Government Will Devote Study
n Attention to Tree Planting
In the Tmn DaLnt-c

Washington, d. c., Sept. 20.-The
Growth OF planted trees in the two Da-
kotas will be studied by q field force
or the bureau of forestry. Some little
work OF inspection has previously been
zone IN those states. but the possibil-
tues OF tree planting there are relative
~ There is less planted tim
Der than in Nebraska. The plantations
are usually the work of those who took
up timber claims. Unlike much of the
planting under the same law elsewhere,
mat done in the Dakotas was generally
not perfunctory. but careful and intel
llsent. Those who took up claims plant
ed not only because it was necessary to
make their titles good, but, since they
teis the need of trees. they cultivated
them properly, and they are now re-
Warded with valuable assets in their
plantations. The growth will be care
FULLY examined and measured as a basis
lor recommendations concerning Scien-
uilc tree planting and management.
Two Field Parties.
The field force will be six experts,
divided into two parties. They will be-
gin in the southern part of South Oa-
kota and work ~northward, covering
both states cast of the ninety-ninth
meridian. All persons in this area
owning specially thrifty groves, and
also those who are experiencing difficult
ties in growing trees, will assist this
investigation and will obtain the ad-
vice and assistance OF the bureau by
communicating with j. Nj. Fetlerolf at
Sioux Falls, S. d, who is in charge of
the force.
The topography and climate of the
Dakotas make tree plantations essen
tai to the highest development of the!
rich agricultural lands. h rainfall is
less than in Nebraska or Kansas, but
this is largely neutraliZed by the short
sr crop seasons.
Woodlots for Winter Use.
The creation of woodlots is one re-
suit of tree planting that should spe-
cially appeal 10 the residents of the
Dakotas. The long winters necessitate
the use of ~ enormous amount of fuel.
This fuel car be grown in a few hun
dTed yards of the house, far more
cheaply tn2n coal or wood can be de-
llVered by tie railroads. The woodlot
will not only furnish fuel, but also. if
the trees have been properly chosen,
all fence posts and general repair ma
terial needed.
Woodlots need not be planted as a
separate venture. They can be grown
in connection with and partly as the
result of the establishment of shelter
belts. The wider these are made, to a
certain limit, and the more thorough
~ tHey are EXTENDED around the farm,
the greater the advantage in crop pro-
lection n the larger the annual cut
of wood obtainable.
First Work of Bureau.
The first object of the bureau of for
estry in its work in the Dakotas is
to ascertain if the trees now growing
there are the species that can be most
proitably planted. The study will also
cover the, methods and cost of the tree
planting that has been done. with the
expectation of Offering suggestio! for
improving those methods and l%essening
the cost. The results cannot fail to be
decidedly advantageous to the farmers
of those states who, it is to be hoped,
will further the work by offering the
field parties all the information and
assistance in their power.
This work has been extended into
western Minnesota and is now car
ried on there by the same parties.