144 FOREST PLANTING. 



the supplies for settlers, which will require a very large 

 quantity. But beside those, there should be annually 

 planted a certain proportion of the land owned by the 

 railroad company, on each side of the line. Of course it 

 is desirable that this should be as large as possible, pro- 

 vided the planting and culture is properly attended to. 

 The work should be extended from year to year and 

 from section to section of the lands belonging to the 

 company. The planting should be systematically done. 

 A portion of every section should be reserved for the 

 express purpose of growing timber for future use by the 

 railroad itself. This would naturally be on the side 

 nearest to the railroad. On the rest of the tract the 

 plantations should not be continuous, but in groves, 

 selecting as far as possible the northern slopes and sum- 

 mits of ridges, and leaving the southern slopes for cult- 

 ivation. 



The effect of scattered groves as shelters and wind- 

 screens would be much greater than that of continuous 

 wood, while it would be much more attractive to pur- 

 chasers, since it would make a more convenient arrange- 

 ment of tillage and wood land, reserving the most 

 desirable portions for the former purpose. The details 

 of arrangement of the plantations would of course be 

 directed by the superintendent, who it is to be presumed 

 would be thoroughly acquainted with the work. A 

 moment's reflection will show that there is great room 

 for the exercise of judgment in adapting varieties to con- 

 ditions of soil, and in making such disposition of them 

 as to secure returns at the earliest possible moment. 



