The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-07-20
VARIETIES
OF TREES Do
WELL IN n. D,
Great Plains Experimental
Staten Gives FOrestatiOn
Advice in Report

The problem of forestation on
North Dakota plains is about to be
solved by experiments being con-
Quoted at the Great Plains station
Of the U. S. Department Of Agricul-
ture.
Experiments begun at the Great
Plains station contained in the de-
cennial report of the Mandan sta
ton, point to four varieties of trees
"A being able to withstand climatic
extremes OF the North Dakota
| plains.
ment station, distributed todayA
catalops results of farm experiment
tation work at the Mandan station
since it's establishment.
Four arboreal varieties fitted Tor
North Dakota planting are: box eld-
er, green ash, white elm. and cara
gena. Experiments covering 80 var
ieties of trees indicate these four
will survive arid weather and sub
zero cold of the western plains:
Experience of seven years OF tree
planting has shown conclusively that
it is possible to start successfully a
planting of trees on the average up
land farm site in the northern Great
Plains," the report states. Future
investigation must show whether or
OF it is possible for such paintings
to maintain themselves after they
have attained their maximum
growth. :,
Careful preparation of the soil
before planting to conserve moisture
and work out grass and weeds is
prime requisite for successful tree
planting. Clean summer fallow is
the best tillage practice for this pur-
pose.
"Insect and animal pests may
cause considerable damage unless
precautions are taken.
with such species as box elder.
green ash, and white elm, stock
raised from seed procured from ma
tive trees has shown greater hardi-
ness than that coming from more
southern and eastern localities. Seed
for propagating any species Tor
planting in shelter belts on the
northern Great Plains should come
from northern source.
"The best spacing for trees in
shelter belts has not yet been deter
mined. Present data indicate that
for the average planting site in the
area, the 4 by 8 feet distance used
in these demonstrations is too close.
Further information is needed on
this point"
A six year cooperative grazing ex-
pertinent conducted by the Great
Plains station in conjunction with
the North Dakota Agricultural Col
lcge shows the following:
"The 70-acre pasture. grazed at the
rate of one two-year-old steer 70
seven acres, provides approximately
the acreage required in this region
for a system Of continuous grazing
! The cattle made the best gains in
; this pasture, but the native vegeta'
tion is not as completely utilized as
under the system of deferred and
rotation grazing.
"The 7O-acre deferred and rota'
tion pasture during the three years
from 1920 to 1922. inclusive, has beer
grazed at the rate of one 2-year-old
steer to 4.375 acres. This system
| of grazing has resulted in high
utilization of the vegetation. The
gains Of the cattle have been about
10 per cent below the best gain:
made. The vegetation in this pasture
has not been injured by the high de-
gree Of utilization. This was be-
cause the vegetation in the different
] divisions Of the pasture was allowed
! to mature periodically before it was
! subjected again to grazing"