248 TRANSACTIONS OF THE NORTHERN 



The Larch lias proved with me a good nurse tree for evergreens. 

 The American does not grow as rapidly or straight as the European. 



The White Willow is being planted in groves to shelter stock, and 

 for fences is growing in favor. Willows are used for live fence posts in 

 Massachusetts— letting in rails as ordinary post and rail fence, when 

 trees are four to five inches in diameter. 



In Onondaga County, New \'ork, i have known fence of this kind 

 with Lombardy Poplar posts to last thirty years, which is longer than 

 that tree lives in Bureau County. 



A neighbor planted in 1863 a luindred rods of small cuttings of 

 white willow for lence; it is a good one as protection against cattle. 

 They were cut down to three and a half feet last spring, yielding as he 

 informed me, fuel for a year, besides material for a corn crib and other 

 uses: one load or more were sold for stakes six feet in length, with which 

 a live fence is made immediately available. 



This style offence is growing in favor. The hedge can be cut in 

 three years, from present appearances, giving as much material as at 

 the first cutting. 



The T;.ilip trees planted in 1846 on both high and low land, 

 heretofore higiilv esteemed ;\<. a valuable timber tree, are now over fifty 

 teet in height. Last spring it was found that they were seriously, and 

 it is feared fatally injured, probably by the combined operation of drouth 

 and excessive cold. 



The Chestnut succeeds v\'ell on high land, and it is desirable for 

 every family with proper soil to have a few trees of it, but I cannot 

 recommend it as a variety for general planting on rich prairies ; have fears 

 that many will be disappointed who are being induced to plant it. 



Ash-leaved and Silver Maple are rapid growers, being planted 

 largely. 



The Oaks, Walnuts, Ashes, and Hickories should all be largely planted 

 — any trees except Lombardy and other poplars. I would allow some 

 of them on waste lands if compelled to use them or none. 



Our State and district Horticultural Societies are doing a great 

 work, agitating the public mind on this subject, but we need the active 

 labors of eveiy one alive to its importance, in holding primary meetings- 

 in every school district. 



How many of our people know how to properly plant and cultivate 

 trees ? 



How very few are fully convinced that timber-growing is one of 

 the most profitable uses for which land can be used.'' 



I was glad to see the humanitarian sentiip.ent manifested in the call 

 for this meeting, with reference to this subject, that we are expected 

 here to inaugurate a glorious revival. 



In going to our homes, may we carry home the spirit here exhibited— 

 no longer from false notion.s of modesty hide our light under a bushel, 

 but show a heartfelt interest in our endeavors to save our land from the 

 terrors which seem certainly to await us, unless we now step forth man- 

 fully and avert them. 



