FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 79 



catalpa, cliestnut. red oak and the pines are rapid growing and valuable 

 species, while the poplars, especially the cotton-wood, and the white 

 maple and box elder, may be used where very rapid growing and easily 

 obtained soft woods are wanted. For posts the Hardy catalpa is prob- 

 ably unexcelled for durability of its wood and the rapidity of its growth, 

 and as it grows with perfect hardiness as a shade tree, as far north as 

 the central part of the lower peninsula, it may safely be tried in planta- 

 tions, especially if grown from northern grown seed. It should undoubt- 

 edly be tried in the grape-growing sections of the State for post mate- 

 rial. Chestnut trees make rapid growth and furnish good returns be- 

 sides, from their nuts. Various other species of nut-bearing trees may 

 be grown in plantations, and of these, the walnut is very desirable for 

 its timber, although said to be slow in coloring up the heart wood to 

 a good rich color. It makes a fine growth, however, in moist soils and 

 should be a constituent of every plantation on such soils. The sugar 

 maple, aside from its value as a timber tree, ought to be more freely 

 planted for its sugar, as it is in many of the eastern states. In Vermont^ 

 New York, and other states there are large maple plantations which are 

 maintained for their sugar production alone, and which give good prof- 

 its. In Michigan, on the other hand, our natural maple forests are be- 

 ing rapidly cleared up, and we find in our home markets maple syrup 

 and sugar from other states and from Canada, but none from Michigan, 

 except for a brief period in the spring. If it is profitable for Canadian 

 and Vermont, New York and Ohio farmers to raise maples, or to let 

 them stand, why should it not be for those of Michigan? 



For wet soils we have numerous species that make good growth, most 

 of them furnishing rather soft wood, but making excellent lumber, and 

 of these none is unworthy of a place and ought to be absolutely rejected. 

 In all plantations there should be a mixture of species. As a rule, those 

 with thin, open tops should be mixed with species having dense ones, 

 since this mixture gives best soil cover. 



In starting a plantation of timber trees, if the soil has been under 

 cultivation so that there is not a strong turf, or if it is already covered 

 with brush, it may not be plowed or cleared; indeed, in Europe, large 

 plantations are often made directly in grass lands. If in grass, however, 

 it will usually be necessary to plow and fit it as well as can be afforded, 

 but the preparation need not be as careful as for agricultural crops. In 

 case the ground is already occupied by shrubs and small trees of less 

 desirable kinds,these should not be disturbed, but the planting done by 

 clearing small spaces and digging up the ground a little with a mattock 

 or heavy hoe. Trees in plantations should be planted quite close to- 

 gether, in order that they may begin to shade the ground as soon as 

 possible, the distance apart at which they are planted being determined 

 by the cost of material, kind of soil and the use to which the plantation 

 is to be put. Close planting costs more than open, both because it takes 

 more stock, and more labor, hence the minimum density for good results 

 should be determined by experiment. Unfortunately, the lack of ex- 

 perimental plantations in the State gives us no definite knowledge in this 

 matter, but on good soils, probably, the young trees may be safely planted 

 as far apart as four feet each way, and should not be planted nearer 

 than three feet. In very poor soils, good cover for the ground is more 

 desirable, and the plants may well be set as near as two feet apart each 



