The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1920-02-26
ADVISE PLANTING LOCUSTS.
Circular Issued by University Shows
Advantages of Black Variety,

Advantages of Black Variety.
'As a combination shelter, CONNER
cial, and ornamental tree, there is none
that equals black locust" Is the state
ment made in Circular IL, Black Lo-
Gust in Idaho, just issued by the
School of Forestry, University Of Ida
no. The circular points out the range
of this tree for planting in this state,
discusses its economic uses, and gives
instructions for establishing wind
breaks and woodlots. The circular may
be had ON request. The School of
Forestry offers one year old seedlings
of black locust to citizens of the state
at cost.
The circular follows:
Forest planting in the treeless belts
of idaho has been oil too meagre.
Every farm here on which trees can
be grown could carry a certain amount
Of planting to advantage, and no other
farm improvement will pay so well in
proportion to the expense involved.
Therei urgent need for protection
from wind, and for this purpose moth
ing serves better thai shield Of trees.
An effective shelter belt properly
placed about the farm buildings and
stockyards will make the handling of
livestock more economical, not to men
zion the added comfort and pleasure
it will give to the home.
Far greater emphasis should be
placed on the commercial side of forest
planting. IL the shelter beyt Is extend
ed into fair sized wood lot, not only
the protective and ornamental value
of the planting will be enhanced, but
large part Of the timber supply, such
as fuel, fence posts, and repair mater
ial, used on the farm can be grown.
Much more tree planting for orna-
mental purposes should be done.
Towns and cities should encourage
street planting. School and church
grounds offer unexcclled opportunities
for planting of this sort. Concerted
effort along these lines will add great
ly to the attractiveness of the whole
region.
The practice of planting trees along
the public highways is most commend
able. Not only do roadside trees add
30 the beauty of the farm, but they
have a positive economic value in the
protection they afford to crops and
farm animals, and in the products they
yield.
AS combination shelter, CONNER
cial, and ornamental tree there is none
that eqauls the black locust for the
belts in question. Others may be
grown here. but this circular will be
confined to this one tree.
Natural Range.
OF the Appalachian mountains from
Pennsylvania to northern Georgia,
and in parts of Arkansas and eastern
Oklahoma. 1t has been extensively
planted in the United States, especially
east of the Rocky mountains. 1t was
introduced into the extreme west by
planted fortunately, in this region,
especially In western Utah and eastern
Washington.
Range for Planting i'm Idaho.
The range of black locust for plant
ing in the trceless belts of Idaho in
Guides practically all of such belts be-
low 1000 feet elevation, where the an
nual precipitation is IL to Is inches or
over. Occasionally 1t succeeds without
larrigation, where the rainfall IL less
than II inches Under irrigation, black
locust will succeed anywhere in the
state below attitudes Of 1000 feet. pro-
vided soil conditions are at all favor
able.
Habits and Rate Of Growth.
Black locust Is adapted to wide
range of soil conditions. but 1t thrives
best on rich loams Though native to
n region of large rainfalls, il is sur
i:,singly drought resistant in the dry
IL its of the west. In parts NJ !daho
the locust freezes In winter only
af'tan young. but IL usual, springs
up again from the live stem and
makes a good tree. Once thoroughly
established, it seldom winter kills SER
iousH. The symmetrical form of
black locust, Its dark green foliage.
which turns apaye yellow in late fall,
together with its growth Of white flow
ers. appearing in June make this tree
highly useful for ornamsntal purposes.
Black locust grows RAPIDLY. making,
in favorable situations, an annual
height growth Sc fromtttwo To four
feet. and increases In diameter from