Forestry in the State of Nebraska. 



By J. T. ALLAN, Omaha, Neb., U.S.A., Statician to The American Forestry 



Association. 



The Journal of Forestry is a very welcome visitor even at this distant 

 spot, and as forestry progresses to a higher standpoint its teachings 

 will be highly appreciated on the great plains which stretch 800 miles 

 eastward from the Rocky Mountains. At present the great work which 

 the American Forestry Association is striving to accomplish is to 

 awaken the people to the danger of a timber famine, to show the vast 

 annual decrease of forests, and the great necessity of planting to a 

 large extent. To do the latter in the most effectual manner we must 

 look abroad for the knowledge and experience of our elders. 



Hence the commission which we ask for to visit Europe, and trust 

 that the present Congress will furnish the necessary means. Accept 

 our thanks for your pleasant notice and token of good-will for the 

 enterprise. Our earnest working friend, Dr. Warder, goes to Washing- 

 ton this month to aid the cause. I send you a few notes showing 

 •what is being done in this new State by unskilled hands. 



The State Horticultural Society to encourage forest tree planting 

 awarded the following premiums last month : — 



For the greatest number of forest trees planted in 1877 by one 

 person, $50 ; the highest number being 95,900 trees, and planted in a 

 county which in 1870 had but fifty-four inhabitants. 



For the greatest number planted on the second Wednesday of April, 

 1877 (Arbor day), being 23,300 trees, $25. 



For the greatest number planted during the month of April, 1877, 

 being 72,600 trees, $25. 



The reports received show a vast increase during the past year. One 

 county reports having planted three and one-half millions of trees. 



Another, settled six years ago, reports 800,000, besides 600,000 

 cottonwoods. 



Another farmer reports, " I planted the first grove in this county 

 (150 miles in the interior) in 18G0, being 3,000 trees of ash, walnut, 

 and Cottonwood, the latter now being seventy to eighty feet high. 



" Since 1870, as these have been thinned out, the spaces were filled 

 with seeds and nuts of the white and black walnut, ash, elm, &c., and 

 now there is a promising growth of trees more valuable than the 

 poplar, which have fulfilled their mission as pioneers." 



