FOREST PLANTING. 139 



the spot with trees, being in itself a strong attraction to 

 settlers. If the mode of supplying them, and the condi- 

 tions which should be insisted upon to insure proper 

 planting and culture I shall speak hereafter, but before 

 approaching that subject I wish to say a few words on the 

 mode of planting which should be adopted. 



Mr. Elliott's experiments afford valuable suggestions 

 as to the kinds of trees which are likely to prove most 

 hardy, and which should therefore be most liberally used 

 as screens on the sides which most need shelter. Some 

 of these varieties would not be available so far north as 

 the line of the Northern Pacific, but I think the ailantus, 

 cottonwood, box elder, (negundo,) and white ash would 

 prove as reliable as in Kansas, and should therefore be 

 liberally used at the outset for screens. They should oc- 

 cupy the summits of ridges and prairie swells, and the 

 more tender varieties should be planted on the northern 

 and eastern slopes. This arrangement may surprise 

 those who are not familiar with the subject, whose first 

 impression would be that a warm southern slope should 

 be selected for such purpose, but I feel warranted in the 

 assertion by long experience and observation of facts. 

 The prevailing wind all over the country, which blows 

 with the greatest violence and with the longest duration 

 is from the S. W. and it is the wind whose parching in- 

 fluence is most detrimental to vegetation. I have been 

 surprised to find what a comparatively small number of 

 persons have observed, (till their attention has been 

 called to it), the striking evidence of this truth, which is 

 afforded by the attitudes of trees in exposed situations 



