THE PLANTED FOREST FOR PROFIT. 293 



It does not take a lifetime to get results. Catalpa often reaches post 

 size in from eight to ten years, and will give service as a post for 

 from fifteen to forty or more years. Osage orange reaches post size 

 in from twelve to fifteen years and usually lasts longer than catalpa. 

 Black locust, though badly affected by the borer in some regions grows 

 nearly as fast as catalpa and has almost the same post value, while it 

 has the great advantage over catalpa of being able to thrive on poor 

 land. European larch reaches a size suitable for telephone poles in 

 twenty-five years. When treated with preservative, it will then last 

 approximately fifteen to twenty-five years. Still other trees may be used 

 for quick returns, while the list of slow-growing trees is still longer and 

 embraces all of the species which are hardy in this region. 



A classic example of improving existing growth is shown in the 

 results secured by the Honorable J. Sterling Morton on his home grounds 

 at Nebraska City. He pre-empted his farm from the government in 1855 

 and found that fifty-six acres could be classed as brush land, which most 

 of his neighbors considered worthless and would grub out. It was not of 

 high value for agriculture, since it followed the course of a creek. Mr. 

 Morton at once commenced to improve the "singed-dog" woodlot by 

 thinning and pruning. This land actually yielded an average of $200 

 worth of wood annually and continued to improve in quality and quantity 

 of yield. In 1901, it was estimated to have yielded $9,000 worth 

 of timber and to contain several thousand dollars' worth of stand- 

 ing timber. Pruning and thinning had resulted in straight, rapid- 

 growing trees in a stand of decidedly high class. Natural reproduction 

 was good because of the large number of seed-bearing trees and the 

 excellent condition of the soil beneath these trees, making a suitable 

 seed-bed for the seedlings' growth. Bur oak, gi-een ash, white elm, 

 and Cottonwood predominated in the reproduction. 



Numerous other figures could be given as a result of the United 

 States Forest Service and private investigations to show the profit and 

 rate of growth of the forest trees well suited for the prairie farmer. 

 However, space permits only a general summary of the trees suitable 

 for planting in the eastern region. A list of forest trees suitable for 

 shade and ornamental purposes is included, since many inquiries are 

 received regarding such usage. 



Trees for fence posts: Hardy catalpa, honey locust, osage orange, 

 Kentucky coffee tree green ash, Russian mulberry, European larch, red 

 cedar. 



Trees for fuel and farm repairs: Cottonwood, silver maple, Norway 

 poplar, Carolina poplar, white willow, hackberry, American and slippery 

 elms. 



Trees for lumber and other large-sized material: Cottonwood, wal- 

 nut, basswood, Norway poplar, European larch. 



Trees for wind-breaks and shelter-belts: Red cedar, Scotch pine, 

 Austrian pine, white pine Osage orange, Russian golden willow, white 

 willow, green ash, honey locust, cottonwood, mulberry. * 



