57 



"If I could replace the maples in the State forest by poplars today I 

 would do it gladly, it would be worth thousands of dollars to the Stale.'' 

 Considering the rapid growth and ease of propagation of the Populus 



family, there seems ample excuse for estimating its probable success on 

 the cheap lands of our own State. In fact the author feels confident that 

 such trees as aspen, cottonwood, and its subvariety, Carolina poplar, can 

 not only be grown at a reasonable profit, but will make productive the 

 capital locked up in our low-priced, non-agricultural lands. The practica- 

 bility of planting depends upon the possibility of protecting the land 

 and the return to be expected. The question of protection from insects, 

 stock, fire, etc., must be answered with respect to the individual case. 

 For the land which cau be protected there remain to be considered the 

 cost of planting, the rate of growth, and the probable returns. 



Estimates of Cost and Returns per Acre for Cottonwood. 



The estimate following is intended to cover the cost and returns for 

 one acre of planted cottonwood on the cheap unused lands of Indiana. 

 Other members of the Populus family, such as aspen, may be planted on 

 waste areas with practically the same cost and yield. As cottonwood 

 does not form sufficient shade to keep out weeds and grasses, the Federal 

 Forest Service advises that the understory should consist of box elder, 

 hackberry, white elm, osage orange, or such shrubs as wild plum, choke 

 cherry, wild currants and gooseberries. 



The cottonwood seedlings, preferably yearlings, or better, cuttings. 

 can be obtained cheaply from nurserymen or may be collected by the 

 planter from the sandbars along streams. The seedlings or cuttings 

 should be planted where they are to remain permanently. Planting is a 

 very simple operation. It may be advantageously performed by a man 

 and a boy working together. The man, by driving a spade into the 

 ground, makes a slit, into which the boy slips a tree behind the spade: 

 the man then withdraws the spade, trampling the soil about the tree as 

 he advances to plant the next one. 



Cottonwood plantations should be protected for at least five years 

 from grazing animals, and five or six plowed furrows free from weeds 

 should be maintained around the grove to keep out fire. If the under- 

 growth recommended by the Forestry Service is not planted, cultivation 

 for two or three years will be necessary. 



