FRUIT GROWING FOR HOME T^SE IN THE GREAT PLAINS. 13 



The Forest Service" of this Departineiil suggests for ])lanting in 

 eastern Colorado tlie green ash, the honey locust, the white and 

 goklen wihow, the white ehn, the Russian ohve, and the Carohna 

 pophir, and in the Panhandle of Texas, the hlack locust, the honey 

 locust, the Osage orange, and the Russian mulheny. Tlie latter, 

 besides forming a dense w^ind-break, in favorable seasons produces 

 considerable fruit that is much liked hy birds. When there is a 

 supply of this fruit at hand, it is said that birds will eat it in prefer- 

 ence to cherries. Hence the planting of mulberries is frequently 

 recommended as a means of protecting the cherry crop from bird 

 depredations. 



Professor Longyeai,* of the Colorado Agricultural Experiment Sta- 

 tion, gives the following advice about w^ind-breaks : 



For the taller growing tree in this region the common cottonwood may be used, 

 setting them about 8 feet apart for the outer or north and west rows. A second row 

 of some denser growing kind should be planted about 8 feet from the first and as close 

 as 4 feet in the row. l-'or this purpose box elder is a suitable tree, except in dry situa- 

 tions, in which case the green ash is recommended. The trees in the third row may 

 be planted in the same as in the second row, using a more compact-growing kind. The 

 Russian golden willow is recommended for this purpose as a rapid grower. The 

 Russian wild olive is a more compact tree of lower growth and is particularly desirable. 

 White or American elm is also a suitable tree for the inner rows in many places, espe- 

 cially where a fair amount of moisture can be depended on. 



In cases where the wind is exceptionally strong, it may be found necessary to plant 

 a belt 4 or 5 rods wide in order to secure complete protection. The outer two rows 

 may consist of Russian olive, the third and fourth rows of black locust, the fifth and 

 sixth rows of box elder or ash, the seventh and eighth rows of American elm, and the 

 inner two or three rows of cottonwood or Carolina poplar, the rows being about 8 feet 

 apart. The golden Russian willow may be used in place of the elm, and honey locust 

 may take the place of the black locust. 



If the wind-break consists of several rows of trees as above sug- 

 gested the time will come in many cases wdien it may be possible 

 to cut some of the trees for posts and other uses. This may be done 

 whenever the trees are dense enough to give the necessary protection 

 to the orchard after being thinned out somewhat. 



ORCHARD MAINTENANCE. 



CULTIVATION. 



In the semiarid central and southern Great Plains the most im- 

 portant thing, so far as cultivation is concerned in its relation to the 

 production of general crops, is the conservation of moisture. This is 

 equally true in relation to the growing of an orchard and the produc- 

 tion of a crop of fruit. In general, the methods and the tillage im- 



a Letter dated November 16, 1909, from the District Forester of District No. 2. 

 & Bulletin 123, Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station, p. 16. 

 [Cir. .-,n 



