FOREST PLANTING ON THE PLAINS. 



Tree planting in the semi-arid West dates its beginning with 

 the first settlement of the country. The first settlers came mostly 

 from the East, where the conditions for tree growth are, on the 

 whole, favorable. They planted whatever varieties were availa- 

 ble without any consideration of their adaptabilitj^ to the soil and 

 the climatic conditions. The results of these earlj'- attempts at 

 tree growing are still visible in many parts of the semi-arid West. 

 The few scattered remains of dead and dying trees bespeak the 

 disappointment met bj' the early settlers in their attempt to sur- 

 round their habitations with forest growth. In a few favored 

 localities the planting of the earh'- settlers proved successful and 

 their groves are now considered landmarks and points of interest 

 by the traveler. 



The reason why many forest trees do not succeed in the semi- 

 arid portion of the West is well understood — drought}' conditions 

 in summer and winter. 



The two main problems which confront the western tree- 

 grower are : First, the proper selection of drought-resisting 

 species best suited to the climate ; second, the best method of 

 preservation of moisture. Where irrigation can be had these two 

 problems are of relatively small importance, but where the condi- 

 tions do not permit the use of water for artificial watering the 

 problems are vitally important. Yet the success of a few 

 pioneers in the relatively humid section of Kansas and Nebraska 

 and along the river courses of these states where the conditions 

 for forest growth are more favorable, led to a considerable amount 

 of tree planting in this portion and an extension into the more 

 arid western country with more or less success. 



In the selection of species those most easily propagated and 

 most readily adapted to droughty conditions were foremost, with 

 little regard to their commercial value, and the manner of plant- 

 ing was that of the orchardist or nurseryman, with the attendant 

 cultivation of the soil. Although conifers had been used spar- 

 ingly, they were usually planted merely as ornaments, in single 

 specimens or groups. 



In 1890 Dr. B. E. Fernow, then Chief of the Forestry Division, 

 pointed out that conifers and especially pines would be the most 



