Semi-weekly herald., 1912-11-25
PLANTING TREES ON
OUR WESTERN FARMS

The people who nave but recently
made their homes on the dry farms
will hardly fail to appreciate the value
of trees when looked at purely from
the standpoint of pleasure. Some who
have lived on these dry farms longer
rnay have, in way. become saccus-
toned to their surroundings and the
absence of trees no longer causes dis
cortent. They have gradually come
to believe that trees and shrubs can
not be grown under existing condi-
tions, and possibly there are few
who do not appreciate trees and
shrubs. However, as protection
from glaring sun and drying winds
in summer and severe cold in winter,
trees and shrubs properly planted
and cared for can not but add to the
comfort of the home, and, to most of
us, contribute no little amount of
pleasure.
But comfort and pleasure are not
the only returns the planting of trees
and shrubs may bring to those upon
the farm. There are those who claim
that the planting of trees in large
numbers upon the plains would great
ly modify the climate of these regions,
that the rainfall would be increased,
and that drying winds would be less
frequent. And trees are sometimes
planted, even on the dry farm, with
view to financial returns. The wood
lot or the shelter belt does, in some
cases, furnish fuel for the home and
posts for the fences. Surely the fruit
garden is both source of pleasure
and an income that may be figured in
dollars and cents.
Many farm homes have been i'm
proved by growing trees under condi-
tions as trying as those found on the
dry farms in Montana. 1t is surely
worth trial. When the matter is all |
summed up we find that the degree
OF success is measured largely by the
proper selection and preparation of
soil, and proper planting and proper
care of the trees and shrubs.
The land to be planted to the home
grounds should be well prepared and
fallowed at least one year before any
attempt is made to start trees and
shrubs. The land should be deeply
plowed and under most conditions fall |
plowing would be preferable. During
the following summer it should be
well cultivated to keep down the
weeds and conserve the moisture. Ifl
it is not practicable to keep the whole
yard area cultivated, particular spots
chosen for the location of cumps of
trees or shrubs may be given good
mulch of straw or coarse stable ma
nure. This will keep down the weed
growth and conserve the moisture.
Many are undecided as to where
they should purchase stock. In the
first place it should be bought of a
well established nursery that has de-
veloped some respect for its reputa- ,
ton. 1t is also safe to say that the
trees should be bought as near home :
as possible. The local nursery is gen.
orally able to furnish kinds adapted (
to your condition than that from a |
distance. If you can not buy stock +
near home, it is probably best to trv
some northern nursery, where varie- i
ies adapted to our conditions are r
more likely to be carried in stock. /,
one should buy good quality of b
'lants, and under our conditions il is /
,est TO buy young plants. They are 4
heaper and more likely to grow. For
'st tree seedlings one or two wears +
Nd may be started more readily than d