374 ANNUAL KEPORT. 



Mountain forests and from observation and practical experience with the Conifers 

 of this elevated region, am fully convinced that the varieties of evergreens best 

 suited to endure the climatic conditions of the ari 1 plains and prairies of the new 

 west, must come from the Rocky Mountains. ;From experience we find they 

 readily adapt themselves to the greatest extremes of atmospheric changes where- 

 ever introduced. 



The intelligent and progressive p3op!e of Minnesota, as well as those of her 

 sister prairie states, must admit that the most effectual and durable barrier against 

 the storms that sweep over the country will be found in extensive tree planting. 

 But the planting of trees for shelter and wind breaks is but a small part of the 

 value of such work. 



It is a singular fact that while the lumber commerce of the world is largely sup- 

 plied from coniferous forests, aside from our parks and lawns, very little attention 

 or importance is attached to the planting and cultivation of this valuable class of 

 trees. 



In this progressive age of prairie settling where homes are to be made, the plant- 

 ing of suitable varieties of coniferous trees for timber and shelter should be 

 encouraged as a matter of the first importance. 



Failure in successfully growing evergreens, often has its origin in the adaptation 

 of varieties and for local causes of which the atmosphere is one of the most im- 

 portant. 



On account of the aridity of the air both summer and winter, the Missouri slope 

 west of Kansas City and north of Omaha is not adapted to the class of evergreens 

 commonly planted in a more humid climate farther east. 



On the other hand, the natural aridity of the atmospnere and the extreme degrees 

 of cold that frequently sweep over the Rocky Mountains, have created varieties of 

 forest trees suitable by acclimation and adaptation to a wide expanse of country 

 extending as far east as this peculiar influence exists. 



Not only are the Rocky Mountain Conifera well adapted to these arid and arctic 

 influences which characterize their native surroundings, but in the moist atmos- 

 phere of the Atlantic coast and in Europe they seem to flourish with equal health 

 and vigor. 



Of the score or more varieties of evergreens seen growing in various localities 

 on the Rocky Mountains we call attention to only a few of the most beautiful and 

 valuable; introducing in their behalf the testimony of men well and favorably 

 known in horticultural pursuits. 



The Abies Douglasii (Douglas Spruce) heads the list as the coming evergreen for 

 the prairies. Rapid in growth, beautiful in form and color, wood durable and 

 valuable, its soft foliage and flexible branches enabling the tree to safely resist a 

 heavy weight of snow or strong wind. By judicious pruning and clipping, they 

 can be made to grow in any form desired and are equally well adapted for orna- 

 ment and usefulness. 



Downing says in his description of the pinetum at Dropmore: "Perhaps the finest 

 tree in this extensive collection is the Douglas Spruce. It is sixty-two feet high, 

 and has grown to this altitude in twenty-one years from seed. It resembles most 

 the Norway Spruce, as one occasionallj^ sees the finest form of that tree, having 

 that graceful downward sweep of the branches, and feathering out quite down to 



