The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-09-23
WILL AID
Federal Government Will Devote Study
and Attention to Tree Planting
in the Two Dakotas.

Washington, ID. c., Sept. 2O.-The
Growth of planted trees in the two Da-
kotas will be studied by a field force
of the bureau of forestry. Some little
work of inspection has previously been
done in those states. but the POSSIBLE
tiles of tree planting there are relative
ly unknown. There is less planted TIM
Der han 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,
that done in the Dakotas was generally
not ~perfunctory, but careful and intel
ligent. Those who took up claims plant
ed not only becausc it was necessary to
make their titles good. but, since they
felt the need of trees. they cultivated
them properly. and they are nowNr re-
warde with valuable assets in their
plantations. The growth will be care
fully examined and measured as q basis
for recommendations concerning scien-
tific tree planting and management.
Two Field Parties.
The field force will be six experts,
gin in the southern part of South Da-
kota and work %northward. covering
both states east 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 adj
vice and assistance of the bureau by
communicating with ]. NJ. Fetherolf at
Sioux Falls, S. D., who is in charge of
the force.
The topography and climate of the
Dakotas make tree plantations essen
tial to the highest development of the.
rich agricultural lands. The rainfall is
less than in Nebraska or Kansas, but
this is largely neutralized by the Short
-er croD seasons,
WoodIots for Winter Use.
The creation of wocdlots is one re-
suit of tree Planting that should spe-
cially appeal TO the residents of the
Dakotas. The long winters necessitate
the use of m enormous amount of fuel.
This fuel can be grown in Il few hun
cheaply tam coal or wood can be de-
livered by the 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. M
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
ly they are extended around the farm,
lne greater tne IN cfop pro-
lection and the larger the annual u
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
profitably planted. The study will also
cover the methods and cost of the tree
planting that has been done. with the
expectation of Offering suggestion for
improving those methods and lessening
the cost. The results cannot fail to be
decidedly advantageous to the farmers
of those states who. it is to he 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 n is now car-
ried on there by the same parties.