FOREST TREES ADAPTED TO HORTICULTURAL DISTRICT NO. 12. 



D. C. Bliss, Minden. 



District No. 12, comprises tlie six counties of Adams, Kearney, Phelps 

 Webster, Franklin and Harlan. Forest trees adapted to this district 

 might largely be recommended for Districts No. 5, 11, and 13, so nearly 

 contiguous to No. 12. Most of this is known as upland level prairie, with 

 the exception of the small territory or tract in the northern part of 

 Kearney and Phelps counties, through which the Platte river runs, also 

 the southern part of the district which is occupied by the Republican 

 river which runs along the entire southern boundery. 



Tree planting in this western and central part of the state either of 

 forest or fruit in comparison with the eastern portion is much behind 

 what it should be for various reasons. The newer the country the more 

 the inclination of the settler to devote his time and energy to the growing 

 of that which can be the most quickly converted into money. Hence 

 but little thought is given outside of the growing of corn, wheat and 

 oats and other grains. Hogs, cattle and horses also come in for their 

 share of attention. The farmer sows his wheat in the fall or spring and 

 in July following reaps his crops and hauls his products to the elevator 

 and gets his money. Plant corn in May and in six month's time have 

 the matured product. Hogs, horses and cattle have a money value at any 

 age. Impatient for quich results. Must have money at once with which 

 to buy more land on which to grow more corn and wheat so as to buy 

 more hogs and cattle, and then more land and more land. Too impatient 

 for results. The planting of trees and beautifying of homes can wait. 

 This condition of things is not especially peculiar to Nebraska, but to 

 some extent exists everywhere. Immigration travels westward and with 

 it as time passes, the desire to keep pace with the east increases. Con- 

 ditions and climate changes. As people become more independent and 

 better informed, a different policy is often pursued. As we pass over 

 the country from year to year a gradual change is observed in the plant- 

 ing trees. As a rule more improvements are noted in cities and towns 

 than in the county. The real value of trees depends to a great extent 

 upon the place they occupy. I have in mind in the city of ]\Iinden a 

 Linden or Basswood planted by the writer 18 or 20 years ago, occupying 

 a position midway from the street to the bay-window, which spreads 

 largely over the south side of the house. This individual tree is worth 

 and adds more than $100.00, to the residence property, and probably 

 would not be removed by the owner for that sum. If this same tree 

 stood in the forests of Wisconsin where the writer spent many years in 

 ante-bellum days, its value would depend on how many rails could be split 



