SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS. 193 



where thev arc to iviiuiiii. Tlicre is no dittiiiilty in renioviiit; flicm 

 at one year old. shorten the tap root. and. if intenilinj;- to trans])lant 

 afterwards, root-prune onee in two or three years. 



Nuts for jihintiny: should he mixed with layers of soil in the fall, 

 soon after ^•atherin^;". covered enou^^h to ])revent their h»H'oniin<; diy. 

 and not deep enough to hiiuler their freezing. 



It is well to mix seeds of deciduous trees generally with moist 

 loam, and winter in a cool cellar. Elm and soft maple seed should 

 Ix' ]tlaiitt'd when vi])(' in ^Nfay or .[nne. Green ash seed may he kei)t 

 dry (jver winter. 



Evergreen and deciduous trees for forest planting are gathered 

 in their natural seed-beds, or purchased as cheaply as novices can 

 raise them from those growing them in immense quantities, in some 

 instances by tens of millions. Evergreens of small size, under one 

 foot in height, set on the prairies, should always be shaded the first 

 year. 



Any one wishing to engage in the business of growing seedling 

 trees will do well to work ii year at one of the nurseries making a 

 specialty of them. If a moderate amount of them only are to be 

 gi'own. '• Bryant's Forest Trees" will ])rove a valuable aid. 



In first attemi)ts in forest planting on the prairies trees were 

 generally set at too great distances apart. Four feet each way is am- 

 ple space, and trees two to five feet better than taller ones. They 

 should be assorted, and those nearly of a height set contiguously. 



No special art or mystery about the work, main points being to 

 have good roots, kept from drying while out of the ground, set as 

 deep or a little deeper than they stood in nursery; fine dirt (not sods) 

 carefully filled in among the roots, and when well covered, tramp 

 rertj firmly, fill in loosely on the surface. 



Willows, cottonwoods and other poplars, are readily grown from 

 cuttings eight to twelve inches long, set nearly full length below 

 the surface early in s])ring: dirt made rcru firm at lower end. 



Cultivation should be frequent until late in July each year, until 

 trees shade the ground sufficiently to prevent growth of weeds. 



As to varieties: — For the purpose of shelter around the house, 

 barn and stockyards, evergreens should largely ])redominate, of varie- 

 ties known to thrive in similar localities, for they are to be found in 

 variety now in all parts of the prairie region, though not so many as 

 one where there should be thousands. If you cannot ]ilant them for 

 this ))urpose be sure to prepare the ground and ])lant at the fdrlii'st 

 j)r<icfici(l)l(' Dioinctif, in abundance, some rajjid growing trees. White 

 willow. ma])le or cottonwood are good. 



The ash family are safe to plant largely. Black walnut will 

 never be out of fashion. Furopean larch, red and white elm are 

 very valuable for certain purposes. Burr and white oak will always 

 be in demand. Catalpa speciosa and butternut are iiulisi)ensable, but 



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