410 United States. 



acres of land (or a proportionate area) in the treeless 

 territory, conferred the title to 160 acres (or a propor- 

 tionate amount) of the public domain. This law had 

 not been in existence ten years when its repeal was de- 

 manded, and this was finally secured in 1891, the rea- 

 son being that, partly owing to the crude provisions of 

 the law, and partly to the lack of proper supervision, it 

 had been abused, and had given rise to much fraud in 

 obtaining title to lands under false pretenses. It is dif- 

 ficult to say how much impetus the law gave to bona 

 fide forest planting, and how much timber growth has 

 resulted from it. Unfavorable climate, lack of satisfac- 

 tory plant material, and lack of knowledge as to the 

 proper methods, led to many failures. 



A number of railroad companies, opening up the 

 prairie States, planted at this time groves along the 

 right of way for the sake of demonstrating the practica- 

 bility of securing forest growth on the treeless prairies 

 and plains. 



There was also considerable planting of wind-breaks 

 and groves on homesteads, which was attended with 

 better results. Altogether, however, the amount of tree 

 planting, even in the prairies and plains, was infinitesi- 

 mal, if compared with what is necessary for climatic 

 amelioration; and it may be admitted, now as well as 

 later, that the reforestation of the plains must be a 

 matter of co-operative, if not of national, enterprise. 



At this time also, an effort was made to stimulate 

 enthusiasm for tree planting among the homesteaders 

 and settlers on the plains by the establishment of arbor 

 days. From its inception by Governor J. Sterling 

 Morton, and its first inauguration by the State Board 



