THE NORTH DAKOTA FARMSTEAD 53 



the trees are northern grown trees and that they shall be well packed 

 for shipping. It is much better to deal directly with a reliable 

 nursery than with the traveling tree agent. 



The cheapest source of obtaining trees is the farm nursery. From 

 one-fourth to one-half acre will raise as many trees as an average 

 farmer will need. The seed should be from northern grown trees. 

 Sow the seed in rows about 4 feet apart so that the trees will be a foot 

 apart in the rows, and cultivate constantly. 



SIZE AND AGE OF PLANTING MATERIAL 



The best age to plant is that which is most economical. For the 

 shelter belt, seedling trees (trees one to two years old) are the most 

 economical, as they are the cheapest and also the most easily trans- 

 planted. Cuttings can usually be used for the willows. Note is made 

 under the discussion of the different species when year old seedlings 

 are not the best to use for shelter belt planting. When planting 

 shrubs and trees for specimens or clusters or near the house it is 

 best to get the largest specimens of the variety that can well be trans- 

 planted in so far as the expense will permit. Generally these are 3 or 

 4 year old shrubs and 6 to 10 year old trees. For hedges either 

 cuttings or seedlings can be used, depending largely on the variety 

 used. 



UNPACKING PLANTING MATERIAL 



Generally the farmer has little to do with the packing of his 

 trees and shrubs by the nurserymen. However, he should insist that 

 his material be properly dug and packed. The important point in 

 digging and packing is protection of the root system from unnecessary 

 mutilation and most of all from drying. As soon as possible after 

 goods arrive at the freight depot they should be removed and un- 

 packed. If the soil is ready, plant them at once. If the soil is not 

 ready, open all the bundles and "heel in" the trees or shrubs, making 

 a deep furrow and laying the trees in this furrow with the tops lying 

 on the soil thrown out and then cover the roots with soil by throwing a 

 furrow of earth over them. 



PREPARING THE SOIL FOR PLANTING TREES 



The time for planting trees and shrubs is either late fall after the 

 leaves have dropped or early spring. For a general mixed plantation 

 of small trees early spring planting is preferable. Before planting 

 trees or shrubs see that the soil is well prepared. Trees should not 

 be planted in a freshly broken prairie sod but it should be worked for 

 at least a year so as to be in fine condition. The soil for a windbreak 

 should be plowed to the depth of a foot if possible, and should be pre- 

 pared even better than for a wheat crop. Trees require soil prepara- 

 tion onlv once in one or several life times and it should therefore be 



