Timber Growing. 161 



This work is most surely and rapidly begun with the native 

 cottonwood, whose young seedlings are found by millions in the 

 valleys of most large streams. Seedlings of one season's growth 

 are gathered at twenty-five to fifty cents per thousand, and han- 

 dled and planted with reasonable care, ninety-five per cent, will 

 grow. With three seasons of good culture, they will make an 

 inch diameter, and six to seven feet height. After this they need 

 little attention, except to thin them out as they increase in size, 

 and for this the clippings more than pay — they should be planted 

 on ground that has been cultivated one or more years. Four feet 

 each way is a suitable distance to plant these and all other de- 

 ciduous trees, for timber growth ; wider planting may give stronger 

 growth, but it will be branchy and straggling, a poor foundation 

 for the tall, straight trees we aim to grow. 



The first cost of close planting is a little more, but it is paid 

 for ten-fold by what is from time to time thinned out ; on a ten 

 or twenty acre plantation, after five years, such thinning will 

 nearly or quite furnish the year's fuel, and after six or eight 

 years, light poles for various useful purposes can be freely used. 

 At five years, the shelter from prevailing winds is quite apparent, 

 and from ten years onward becomes almost invaluable. 



Having a good beginning of Cottonwood, Black Walnut, White 

 and Green Ash, Butternut, Black Cherry, Oaks in variety, Box 

 Elder, Soft Maple and Elm are all good trees to plant, and, with the 

 exception of the oaks, are all easily started, and free growers. All 

 should be started from seeds or one year old plants, and should 

 have thorough cultivation until such time as they so shade and 

 occupy the ground as to keep down other vegetation. 



Poplars and Willow may also find a placej when something bet- 

 ter is for the time being beyond our control. These grow readily 

 from cuttings, as does also the Cottonwood. 



If to be had of small size, and at moderate prices, evergreens 

 must also have a place, especially about our buildings. Of these, 

 Korway Spruce, White Pine and Scotch Pine, as strong growers, 

 will be most successful. Siberian and American Arbor Vitas and 

 Eed Cedar are all valuable for small, single specimens, and for 

 nicely sheared hedges. 

 11 — Hort. 



