368 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



planted on the west side of most farms, which will soften the 

 rio-ors of winter, and when mature, pay large interest in the tim- 

 ber. It has been thought that evergreens cannot well be trans- 

 planted. The only conditions of success are that their roots 

 constantly must be kept moist. Native evergreens from forests 

 sell from $5 to $18 a thousand. Foreign varieties when imported 

 have been failures to a great extent. They are now grown here, 

 and at two years old sell from $12 to $24 a thousand. Those of 

 small size should be planted in beds convenient for watering in 

 case of drouth, and shaded with brush or corn stalks a foot above 

 the tops of the plants — covering the surface of the ground with 

 leaves, straw, or prairie-hay is useful, and a cover over the tops 

 in winter. When firmly established with new and fibrous roots 

 they are to be transplanted for good. I have generall}- set in 

 rows four to eight feet apart, and two to four feet in the row. In 

 all cases cultivate well, and when eight feet apart plant a row of 

 some hoed crop between for two or three years, till the trees 

 shade the ground, and keep down the weeds and grass. 



White, Norway and Scotch, and Norway spruce, in the order 

 named, are the most rapid growers, and most valuable for plant- 

 ing. White pine has made a growth here of four and a half feet 

 in a year. On very dry knolls the red cedar, and on wet soils the 

 American arbor vitee, succeed. In all cases cultivate well the 

 early part of the season. By close planting an upright growth is 

 secured. Thin out in from four to six years, and afterward as 

 they may require. Within fifteen years enough can be taken out 

 by judicious thinning of rapid growing trees to pay all cost of 

 planting and culture. 



Lombardy poplar grows readily from cuttings a foot long, 

 planted early in soil well prepared, the dirt pressed firmly on. 

 two-thirds of the lower end. Black walnut, button and chestnut, 

 hickory and oaks are propagated by gathering the nuts in the fall 

 before they get dry; mjx in layers with dirt of a depth so that all 

 will freeze ; plant in April, in nicely prepared ground ; cover as 

 deep as the diameter of the nut, either where they are to grow, 

 or in the nursery row, to be taken up the first winter and buried 

 beyond the power of frost. If one-half of the top roots at one 

 year old are cut ofi* lateral roots put forth more abundantly, and 

 are more successfull}'' transplanted. 



It is to be hoped that this class of trees will receive attention. 

 The white maple is most valuable for fuel among the fast-growing 



