68 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETV. 



they do not ripen the new growth before "fall " frosts set in, and, 

 consequently, they are for the most part cut back to the ground 

 each year for two or three years, many being killed outright. 

 This freezing back renders the trees which survive bushy, and 

 disappointing as timber trees. 



Intending planters have to send in, before the ist of March, 

 their applications for trees required during the following year. 

 It is necessary to look ahead a bit ; the nursery stock has to be 

 grown in advance, and the names of applicants have to be 

 entered on the Inspector's list, in order that he may visit them 

 during the summer. 



Distribution begins as soon as the frost is sufficiently out of 

 the ground to allow of the bundles heeled in during the previous 

 " fall " being lifted easily. This does not occur before the 

 beginning or middle of May, when all that has to be done is to 

 haul them to the packing sheds, where they are put up in 

 numbers varying with the size of the plantations they are to go 

 to, tied up with twine, packed in damp moss, sown up in burlap, 

 weighed, and despatched to their several destinations, all 

 expenses being borne by the Government. The farmer thus 

 receives his trees absolutely free of charge ; all he is asked to do 

 is to have the land ready, to plant the trees as directed, and to 

 look after them for three or four years. Planting is done with 

 the spade, plough, or dibble. The cost of planting with the 

 spade runs to from 8 to lo dollars per acre, with the plough it 

 costs from 6 to 8 dollars ; and dibbling costs about the same as 

 ploughing. The plough is resorted to in most cases, being the 

 simplest and speediest method, but old planters prefer the spade. 

 They claim that, although work is slower than with the plough, 

 the results are better. Dibbling is only permissible for cuttings 

 or small plants with a tap-root. The Manitoba maples are sent 

 out from the nursery at the age of one year, ash, elm, and 

 Cottonwood at two years ; willows and Russian poplar are 

 propagated from cuttings. Many farmers grow crops of 

 potatoes, turnips, beet, etc., between the rows, and this helps to 

 defray the expense of cultivation for the trees. 



Planters have to sign an agreement whereby they undertake 

 to fence the plot, to trace a fire line round it if necessary, and 

 to cultivate the soil and tend the young trees for at least three 

 years. By that time, with proper care, the trees will effectually 

 shade the ground, and choke out any weeds which may have 



