Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-07-08

A total of 314,709 trees were
sent to 900 farm homes in So Mon.
tana counties this spring for shell
terbelt paintings, indicating that
Montana rural people maintain
their faith in tree paintings, says
E. E. Isaac, extension horticulture
list at Montana State college. Most
of these paintings were caragana,
followed closely by Russian olive,
Isaac said. Both of these species
are drouth resistant and can be used
over a wide range of soils. Trees for
the shelterbelt paintings are obtained
from the cooperative forestry nursery
at Montana State university at Mis-
soula and are distributed through
county agents of the Montana extern
sion service.
To illustrate how tree planting is
growing in popularity each year with
cade county. This year Cascade sent
in 126 applications for trees, a larger
number than was received from the
entire state in 1928 which was the
first year the forest nursery had trees
for distribution. In 1923 Cascade county
had four applications. The following
year the number increased to 81 and
every year since there has been an
increase, reaching the highest record
in 1899. In the IL years since the nurS-
cry has been in existence, 1876 applica-
tons for trees have been filed with
the extension service from Cascade
county.
Demand in Other Counties
But Isaac points out that Cascade
is not alone IN showing rapid expan-
sion in tree paintings for rural people
in many other counties have made
excellent progress in the improvement
of their farmsteads. For example:
Teton county has sent in els appli-
cations in the last decade, Pondera 1874,
Hill 1856, Richland $50, Roosevelt 246,
Yellowstone 233, and Gallatin 1877.
Both Yellowstone and Gallatin have
ordered more trees in the last three
years than in the previous eight years
This Is just another indication, Isaac
said, that more rural homes will be
improved in the future.
Farmers who are planning to start
trees in the future are advised by
Isaac to make their selections care
fully in order to get those species which
are best adapted to their particular To-
cality. County extension agents, he
said are glad to assist farmers in max
ing their selections and help them In
the planning of the shelterbelt.
Care should be taken not to over
plant with Chinese elm because they
are only a short-lived tree at best in
Montana and are quite subject to
winter killing. The best species for dry
land planting are caragana, Russian
olive, green ash and spruce. These /
same species also do well on irrigated |
lands but for quick results Isaac rec
the fast growing willows and /
poplarS.
In making preparations for shelter |
belt paintings next year, farmers should |
De getting the ground ready this sum- +
ner, Isaac said. Dry land locations
should be kept cultivated and free
rom weeds and grass throughout the
summer Irrigated locations should at
east be cropped and kept comparative
y free of weeds and grass. This will
'educe the amount Of labor necessary
n taking care of the young trees the
irst few years of their existence.
ShelterbeltS not only enhance the
appearance of the farmstead but they
Ilso have a utilitarian purpose, Isaac
aid. BY catching winter SHOWS and
holding them, moisture Is provided to
i've the farm garden plot good
tart in the spring. During the summer
months the trees break the force Of
he wind and give the garden q better
nance to thrive