172 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



not cost more than 50 cents to $1.50 per thousand. Cuttings may also be 

 purchased much cheaper than seedlings. 



One of the best hardy catalpa plantations in the West is in the 

 Mississippi bottoms, where it is subject to overflow nearly every year, 

 and has been flooded at one time for even a month. The famous Yaggy 

 plantation in Kansas is only five to six feet above the water table and is 

 being grown on sandy soil. It has not yet been proved upon how shallow 

 a soil above water table catalpa will succeed, and much work should be 

 done in the near future in proving the value of this tree for river bottom 

 plants. In many localities, if willow is planted along the edge of the 

 stream with cottonwood some distance back and hardy catalpa still 

 further back no more effective and profitable combination could be used. 

 Such growth should not only prove of great service in holding soil and 

 preventing the bad influences of flood, but should also bring good money 

 returns to the owner. 



Natural Factors to Help. 



Not only should active measures be taken toward tree planting along 

 river courses, but great care should also be taken in managing the 

 forests which still remain along many of our streams. The most lux- 

 uriant tree growth occuring within the state has always been that bord- 

 ering stream courses. Natural factors on this class of land are more 

 favorable to tree growth than on any other quality of site in the state, 

 and it will always be comparatively easy to maintain forests where 

 Nature works with man rather than against him. The list of trees which 

 grow along our stream courses comprises all the most important trees 

 that grown within our borders, and with most of them natural repro- 

 duction is prolific. Several natural stands which were cut over in the 

 early history of the state have reproduced naturally and are being cut 

 for the second or third time. Great results have been secured by pro- 

 tecting this natural timber from fire, over-cutting and over-grazing. 

 Live stock may always be allowed in natural stands of timber along 

 stream courses, but should rarely be allowed to run in the wood lot the 

 year around, as is sometimes the case. 



Forestry work on slope and flood lands is steadily growing in im- 

 portance and is bound to be one of the important lines of forestry work 

 in the state. Such lands as are unsuited to agriculture but which will 

 support good tree growth should be kept in forest or planted to forest 

 trees as soon as means will permit. Reports coming to the Forester of 

 the Experiment Station show that this work is rapidly gaining in im- 

 portance and that a good begining is being made. Comprehensive meas- 

 ures for a complete study of the whole problem should be undertaken in 

 the near future under competent foresters and engineers, and adequate 

 plans should be made for every section of the state concerned. 



