REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST 133 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



FOREST BELTS. 



The forest belts at the Central Experimental Farm extend along its northern 

 and western boundaries, the belt on the western boundary being 165 feet wide, and that 

 on the northern boundary 65 feet wide. Their total length is nearly If miles. One of 

 the principal objects for which the forest belts were planted was to obtain information 

 i elating to the growth of the best timber trees when grown on different soils at differ- 

 ent distances apart, in blocks of single species, and in mixed plantations, the distances 

 chosen at first being 5x5 feet, 5 x 10 feet, and 10 x 10 feet apart. 



The first planting was done in 1S87. As the soil varied considerably in char- 

 acter, it has been possible to note that which seems most suited to the different species. 

 The trees which were planted 5x5 feet apart, in blocks of single species, are, in most 

 cases, making the best trees from a timber standpoint, as more of the side branches 

 are killed in the early history of the tree. They were for a time taller, in most 

 instances, than those 10 x 10 feet apart, but the latter are catching up and in some 

 cases are now taller than those 5x5 feet apart, and are considerably greater in 

 diameter. The trees 5x5 feet apart protect themselves better and there is a less 

 proportion of broken tops at that distance. There is a further advantage in planting 

 the trees fairly closely in that, during their first years, in order to get thrifty growth the 

 soil should be shaded. A better distance than 5x5 feet would, we believe, be 4 x 4 feet. 

 In mixed plantations, it is difficult to so arrange the trees that one kind will not over- 

 shadow the other and kill too large a number of them. In nature, the proper propor- 

 tion of fast and slow-growing, shade-enduring and light-needing trees is gradually 

 adjusted as the trees develop. Hence in artificial planting it is desirable to use very 

 few kinds if more than one kind is used. Three quick-growing trees which shade the 

 ground rapidly, will not destroy other kinds for a long time, and are all useful for tim- 

 ber, are the White Pine, Scotch Pine and Norway Spruce. The Canoe Birch, Euro- 

 pean White Birch, American Elm, and European Larch make a large amount of wood 

 during the first twenty years and are among the most useful for fuel at this stage. 

 They shoot up rapidly and, getting a fair supply of light, make a good trunk develop- 

 ment. Being thin-f oliaged, these trees do not quickly destroy other kinds that have not 

 grown so rapidly, and can be removed before they do serious harm. Individual speci- 

 mens of Black Locust which have done well have probably made as much wood as 

 birch or elm, but they are so subject to borers and sucker badly and are so trouble- 

 some to get through, that, from our experience, we should not recommend them for a 

 farmer's plantation. These quick-growing trees may be mixed with the Spruce and 

 Pine which, because of their better ability to endure shade, will kill the side branch; s 

 of the deciduous trees. Other trees, such as Hard Maple and Red Oak, which mature 

 later, should be included in the plantation. Some White Ash should also be grown. 

 This is a fast grower and its wood serves a very useful purpose on the farm. A few 

 trees of White Oak and Black Walnut are desirable as these are valuable when large 

 trees. If the trees mentioned are judiciously mixed, the farmer may have a supply of 

 fuel and wood for timber and other purposes with little labour in the production of it. 

 In planting, we should, from our experience, plant those which are to remain a long 

 time, such as pines, hard maple, oak and walnut at least ten feet apart, with the 

 others between them. 



At the Central Experimental Farm, the measurements are taken of the height and 

 diameter of some of the trees every year, the same trees being used annually in nearly 

 every ca~e, and the following table shows the measurements for the past four years. In 

 most cases, the average of three trees is given, in some case, of six trees, and, in a few 

 of less. 



