Forestry in the State of Nebraska. 835 



The above illustrates the homely but practical manner of planting 

 adopted by our new settlers. This poplar {Poimlus monilifera) is of 

 great value at the start, furnishing as it does fuel and shelter (the latter 

 of great importance) in a short time. 



The writer has seen a growth of eight feet with a diameter of an inch 

 at the ground produced in a single year from a cutting ten inches long. 

 The article published in your January number, from Dr. Warder, truth- 

 fully represents the poplars as seen by American eyes, but it is liable 

 to bring out discussion, and in the end lead, as you say, to a correct 

 knowledge of the varieties of quick-growing species of the utmost im- 

 portance to the forester. 



By a recent Act of Congress, passed to encourage the growth of timber 

 on the western plains, any person entitled to take a homestead is also 

 entitled to 160 acres, 80 acres, 40 acres, or a fractional subdivision 

 of less than 40 acres, on condition of planting one-fourth of the 

 tract with timber, and keeping the same in a thrifty growing condition 

 for a period of eight years. Kesidence upon a timber claim is not 

 required, and it is also exempt from taxation, and from liability for 

 debt, until the issuing of the patent. 



So, by this, a man can have a tract as above in fee simple (save 

 about $20 dollars for 100 acres, the charges at the land office) for 

 planting timber trees, and Nebraska claims credit for the Act, as the bill 

 was presented to Congress^ by Hon. P. W. Hitchcock, senator from 

 this State. 



I extract the following from the report of the late meeting of our 

 Horticultural Society last month, that you may see we are awake to 

 these important interests on our treeless western plains. 



Forest growing has perhaps been as prominent a subject as any dis- 

 cussed at this meeting. The next report of the society will show that 

 several counties have planted millions of trees. 



Mr. C. H. Walkejr offered the following resolution in reference to 

 the timber interest, which was unanimously adopted : — 



" Kesolved — That our senators and representatives in Congress be 

 requested to use their utmost endeavour to secure an amendment to the 

 Timber Culture Act, to provide for the withdrawal of one quarter of 

 every section of the public lands, now subject to entries under said Act, 

 for the purpose of timber culture." 



Mr. Walker also offered the following, which was unanimously 

 adopted : — 



" Resolved — That our senators and representatives in Congress be 

 requested to urge an amendment to the Homestead Act, requiring the 

 cultivation of at least four acres of timber on homesteads located on 

 prairie lands before a final receipt shall be given." 



No State has shown a more rapid growth than Nebraska since its 



