Gilpin observer., 1905-11-16
THE FARM AND RANGE
A Cooperative Experiment in Tree
Planting.

/
Inns are given in Press Bulletin No. %,
by Prof. Wendell Paddock and Mr.. b.
| y. Longyear.
The planting of trees for posts and
| fuel is a subject in which the farmers
of Colorado are doubtless interested
| and yet it is one which has not re-
ceived the attention which it deserves
So long as land holdings were large
and but few fences were required, the
supply of native timber was found
| ample. But with the division of our
| agricultural lands into smaller areas,
requiring a greatly increased amount
OF fencing material, the original sup
ply is being so rapidly reduced that
in some parts of our state the price of
posts has doubled within the last few
years. In fact it is evident that we
must soon look to some other source
than the natural timber growths of
this state to supply this increasing de-
mand for such material. The Expert
ment Station, therefore, is about to
enter into a cooperative timber plant
ing experiment with a few land own
ers in various parts of our state dur
ing the coming season.
The purpose of the experiment is
primarily to determine the adapta-
bility of certain species of utility
trees to the various parts of our state
The data thus secured will then be
available as information fol those
who seek the advice of the station in
the matter of planting such trees. 1t
is also purposed to establish a number
of small plantations which may serve
as examples in tree planting for TIM
Der and afford object lessons in their
;e, 1N
aim, by means of this experiment, to
encourage and promote the planting
of utility trees wherever in our state
they are capable of successful growth.
1t is thus hoped that farmers will be
induced to make timber plantations
from which they may cut their own
posts, and to certain extent their
fuel, within the next decade.
Trees Selected-The trees selected
for this experiment are the Hardy, or
Western Catalpa, (Catalpa speciosa)
and the common or black locust (Rob-
inia pseudacacia.) These two species
have been selected because they
promise well for the purpose men
toned. Thus they are relatively
hardy, grow rapidly under favorable
conditions, and resist decay remark
ably well when in contact with the
soil. The locust, moreover. is of good
fuel value. BY growing the catalpa
two seasons and cutting back to the
ground in winter or early spring a
growth of vigorous, straight shoots
will arise which will form good
trunks for posts or poles. Both spe-
cies sprout readily from the stumps
when cut in winter and by leaving the
strongest shoots the plantation is
thereby readily renewed.
Following are the conditions OF the
experiment:
(a) One plantation of three hun
dred trees of each species is to be es
tablished in each of twenty represen-
tative localities in the state.
(b) Each plantation will be put in
! charge of some responsible land
owner who volunteers for that pur-
pose. He will be expected to furnish
and fit the ground, set the trees, irri
gate, cultivate and prune them accord
ing to instructions, and to keep
record of their growth from year to
year. a report is to be made to the
station, when requested, upon the pro-
gress of the experiment.
(c) The experiment station will fur
nish the trees for the experiment $500
of each SpecieS) f. o. b. cars FIT. Col
Inns, and supervise the planting and
give occasional supervision during
the period of the experiment. 1t is
believed that at the end of ten years
the trees will be large enough to fur
nish from two to four posts and stakes
each in addition to some fire wood
| This estimate is based on measure
ments of trees grown in western Kan
sas and is not in excess of the record
| of such trees now growing in this
state.
While it is possible for the farmer
! to grow his own seedlings. il is doubt
full if this is advisable. Black locust
| seedlings two years of age can be pur-
I chased very cheaply from the prin-
cipai nurseries, and this is suitable
size for planting. The securing OF the
| true hardy catalpa, however. is an un-
certain matter and unless this is done
almost ceratn failure will be the re-
suit in this state.
Directions: The land for this pur-
/ pose should not be land that has no
usefulness for crop-growing, although
very rich and heavily watered soil is
not desirable. The ground should be
fitted by fall plowing, If possible, and
well narrowed in spring, but land that
has been in cultivation for one or
more seasons is better than newly
broken land. 1t should be free from
weeds and grass at time of setting the
trees; in fact, the preparation should
be the same as for setting an orchard.
I which will greatly facilitate the mat
ter of setting the trees and tending
them later on.
Planting.-The best time for setting
| trees in this state is uudoubtedly in
spring. Trees planted in autumn. un-
less the work is done at just the right
time. are in danger of being killed by
drying out. When ready for planting
the young trees should have all
broken and bruised roots trimmed off
with u sharp knife so they will heal