The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1920-02-26

1
in ship building and for fence posts.
1t is one of the best woods known
for use as tree nails, and is in great
demand at this time by manufacturers
Of wooden ships. Owing to its great
durability in contact with the soil,
black locust is more generally used for
fence posts than for any other purpose.
The average life of locust posts is 25
| to 80 years.
Propagation
In establishing a windbreak or wood
lot Of black locust, the use of one
/ year old seedlings is advised. Such
stock will run from 1S to "a inches in
height, which is a desirable size for
planting. Somewhat larger stock, say
to 10 feet high, may be used to ad-
vantage, where only a few trees are
wanted as in ornamental planting. Ex-
cellent stock may be purchased at cost
from the School of Forestry or from
nurserymen at reasonable prices, and
names of reliable firms will be fur
risned on application.
Black locust is easily propagated
from seed and parties wishing to grow
their own stock can readily do so. Full
directions will be sent On request.
Time TO Plant.
The best time to plant lis In the
early spring, rather than in the fall,
and the planting should be done as
soon as the soil Is readily tillable,
the earlier the better after the ground
is In shape.
How to Handle the Stock.
Immediately on the arrival of the
trees at the railroad station they
should be taken to the farm, and If
possible, planted the same day. If
necessary to hold them over, they
should be unpacked and heeled In. This
Is done by digging a trench Of suit
able length, say six feet, and of suf-
ficient depth to take in the roots of
the plants full length. One side of
the trench should be slightly sloping.
Against this sloping side place a lay
er of trees, roots down, and bank with
earth to level with the surface. The
layer of soil should be about two
inches thick. we'll packed, and the out
side left somewhat sloping, against
which place the next layer of plants,
repeating the process till all are heel
ed in The soil should be moist and
pliable, but not wet, and the work
must be carefully DONE
Preparation Of the Ground.
The ground must be put i'm as thor
ough state of cultivation as if ii
were to be sown to wheat. This is
extrcme!, important, as the young
trees should be given every advantage
possible at the start.
Spacing.
In establishing a plantation of black
locust where the annual proclamation
is less than % inches, as pacing of
SxS feet is. recommended Where the
precipitation Is in excess of 25 inches
yearly, the spacing may be closer, say
4xS or 6x6 feet. Under irrigation. a
spacing of AKA feet Is commonly used. |
In ornamental planting the tend |
ency lis to plant too close. The object |
sought here is symmetrically formed |
trees. even in late life. which cannot |
he the case IL they are crowded. Black |
locust where planted for ornamental |
purposes should not he closer than 40 |
feet apart. or rarely 30 feet, unless
the planting be along the roadside,
where the spacing may be 20 to 25 feet. |
How to Plant.
An advantageous planting crew in
establishing plantations may consist |
Of two men and boy--the two men
provided with spades 10 do the plant
ing. working side by side, and the boy
with a pail partly filed with water.
in which the trees are carried, to
hand the trees to the planters, as they
Are needed. Great ARE should he
taken never To allow the roots Of the
trees to become dry. AZ few minutes
exposure to the sun and wind may kill
them.
In planting. the holes should he deep
enough 80 that when the trees are in
place they viii stand a little deeper
than they Stood In the nursery row
When setting the tree. the roots should
he spread out as nearly as possible
In their natural position. Use the
hands In replacing the first few layers
of dirt and see that II n pressed care
fully and firmly about the roots.
Care and Cultivation.
The. plantation Shou ID he given clear |
tiilage indefinitely, This is, especially
important for the frat several years |
Ones plirp0se of fha ida sracino recor,