The Columbia evening Missourian., 1922-05-01
"PLANT TATREE,
TT WILLCROW
ASYOU SLEEP"
H. F. Major Tells of Their In
trinsic and Esthetic Value
in Homestead Mag
azine.
ARE NEEDED FOR WOOD
Scarcely Anything in the Uni
verse Is of Any More I'M
portance to Mans
Comfort.

COm1Or
Instructions for putting more OF Ms
souri, in the shade ere contained in fhs
jolIoming articles, "Piant Trec-IfU BE-
Groming," BY H. +. Major. superinterd
cnf OF grounds for the University. The
miioic, uhich appeared in a recent mum
Der OF the Missouri Homestead, folloms:
Is the farmer too busy TO plant tree
this spring? Then recall the words OF
Robert Burns. plant a tree, Jock; it'll
be growin' while you're slcepin. Not
only does nature reward man many fold
for his smallest effort in planting tree,
but when we consider the intrinsic value
of tree in this world of ours we should
feel moral obligation to plant not only
one each yesr, but to plant many trees on
as many days of every year. Scarcely
anything in the universe is of such iH.-
poriauce to the life and comfort Of man.
Let me enumerate some of these things
which may have escaped your notice and
] think you will agree that our most sin
ccre reverence and respect should be paid
TO the tree.
The presence of tree growth tends to
amelioratc the climate by regulating the
rainfall. Trees protect the soil. prevent
wash, help with their roots TO disinteg-
rate rock and subsoil and induce subsoil
moisture to come to the surface; their TO-
Iiage gives of which is essential to the
air which We breathe and they absorb the
poisonous gases exhaled by man-in this
way they are a purifying agent of the
atmosphere The leaves in decaying re-
turn humus and directly available nitro.
senous plant food TO the soil.
From the esthetic standpoint trees add
greatly to the comfort of the public by
their soft green color which relieves our
eyes from the glare of bright summer
suns; their shade affords cool rest. They
break the strong winds and storms which
would sweep an open country and they
are of great value in screening out un-
slightly objects and views. But aside
from these arguments one can scarcely
think of anything connected with our dai-
ly-life that does not depend somewhere
in its existence and use upon the pres
ence of tree. Coal is petrifed wood;
with charcoal We smelt our metals and
ore; construction work employs wood at
very turn. Our furniture, machinery, our
means Of transportation, our homes, and
even our food and clothing are practically
impossible without this product.
SERIOUS QUESTION.
Can anyone then conscientiously ignore
his duty TO himself and humanity by
passing the buck to the next man in
the matter of helping to perpetuate the
wood supply Of our country? This is
not mere whim of an author-it is a
serious, vital question in America; it is
the life insurance of future generations
not only in the sense of income and
return, but in the vital sense. 1t is quite
possible for wood TO become a luxury
that man cannot buy with money. Plant
ing OF trees is most profitable invest
ment since nature so aids us in proportion
to our efforts expended. The interest is
twice compounded.
/ Rad most forgotten an important fac.
tor of economic importance that should
interest us at this particular moment. Ii
is well known that the most potent nat
Ural agents of disintegration are wind and
sun and rain. We are about to build
good roads in our state, but it is not only
a question OF building them. but of keep
ing them in good condition for many
years. We should therefore see to it !
that they are well shaded wit hbeautiful
trees that will not only make travel more
comfortable. but will protect the road
itself against the ravid disintegration Of
wind, sun and rain. In this hot climate |
one of extremes and sudden changes
our brick pavements will buckle" our
pavements will expand and |
crack. and our rock roads turn to ''rut..
ted dust heaps' unless we Systematically |
project them with partial shade. Give
this your careful attention. for it is a
sound argument based on the experience
OF the best engineers. biologists, forest.
crs and landscape architects in the world.
But" you say, what trees shall | !,
plant and how shall | plant them and take
care of them?" That is what intended
to discuss from the beginning rather than
to offer YOU merely arguments in favor
Of tree planting. The DAYS of the cot
tonwood POPLAR. the soft maple and
box-elder are past for Missouri. They are
to be consigned 10 such states as Neva.
da, Arizona and paris of Dakota where
little else will grow at the present time.
Why bother with trees that arc short lived.
i'll shaped, subject to insect pest and wa.
ter rot, that sprout. and drop their leaves
and ,wiss to be raked up every week
throughout the summer?
BEST TREES TO Plant.
Trees adapted to shade on lawn and
street must have the following character.
stics: They must be tall and wide
spreading; have a straight trunk and
~ell-balanced top; long life and dura.
oility Of wood; strength Of limb and free.
ION from insect and fungous pests; they
must have deep root system; they must