The Raymer enterprise., 1919-01-02

sery was established near Halsey and
better stock was produced. also bet
ter methods Of planting were learn
ed as time elapsed, until at present
planting pines on the sandhills Is a
successful venture. As one rides by
train near these plantations he is
impressed by pine forests on the hills
in region naturally devoid OF for
ests.
Broadleaf species were tried but
could not endure the conditions on
the sandhills. The precipitation
amounts to only nineteen inches an
nnally, as an average, but the coarse,
porous soil is not conducive to good
capilarity. Yet there is amost al
ways sufficient moisture at depth
OF two feet or less.
The soil in eastern Colorado is fin
er and therefore more retentive of
moisture, and here We also proba-
bly, suffer less from strong wiids
blowing sand to cut and abrade the
tender bark OF the young trees
The Best Evergreens to Grow
Considering the relative merits Of
Jack pine and western yellow pine
under adverse climatic conditions, 1t
appears that the jack pine starts
srowth earlier In the spring, thus
utilizing the moisture stored over
winter to make a more rapid start
OF growth for a number of years.
The western yellow pine has the ad-
vantage Of longer root system to
tap the moisture lying at some depth.
One disadvantage Of all evergreens
Is that more care is necessary IL the
planting and during the first two or
three years than is the case with
broadleaf trees. The exposure of the
roots, even for a few minutes, at
planting, may cause the dearil of the
young tree, while the roots cf the
broadleaf species can stand consid-
cradle exposure. Understanding this
fact, the farmers OF western Nebras-
ka are planting more evergreens than
broadleaf species, although at FIRST
they demanded only broadleaf trees.
They are using chiefly Jack pine and
western yellow pine.
1t is predicted that the farmers of
eastern Colorado also Will plant ever
greens In the future to much
greater extent than formerly.
Precautions in Planting
One Of the chief precautions to
take on dry land is to keep the weeds
and grass eliminated for a distance
around each evergreen, in order that
all the moisture will be available
for the tree. After the trees have
penetrated to considerable depth.
= does not matter SO much about cal-
tiylton Yet continued cultivation
will be rewarded by more vigorous
tree growth.
Best results were obtained in Hal
sey when planting was done as fol-
lows: Pits were dug to the full depth
needed by each tree. A mound of
earth was formed by hand in the bot
tom Of the pit; then the tree roots
weer spread over the mound after
which the dirt was filled in and COM
pacted by hand over the roots thus
5pread The tree was set at the same
depth, or slightly lower in the soil,
rs 1t stood In the nursery before being
taken up for transplanting
When planting a considerable num-
Der of trees, whether of the broadleaf
Gpecies or the evergreens. the average
farmer cannot stand the expense Of
large nursery stock; he objects to
paying from so cents to dollar a
tree, or even Is cents. Accordingly
Dung, small nursery stock is usually
recommended Evergreens either
three or four years old, which have
been transplanted once in the nur-
sery. are about the right size consid-
sring expense. Younger stock will
suffer greater percentage ofmortality.
Stock Of this size is so cheap that
the planter can afford to discard weak
looking specimens or those showing
injury in shipping, as 1t is hardly
worth while putting them into the
around.
Experience In Halsey indicates that
overgreens should be planted as early
in the spring as the frost In the
ground will permit. Consequently
orders for eyergreens should be plac-
ed early In order to insure early de-
livery. The less time that elapses
between the digging OF the trees In
The nursery and the planting Of them
in the field, the better will be the re-
suits. This suggests that the near
est nurseries. everything else being
equal, are the better for the purchas-
rs