376 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



thickly in rows eight feet apart rather than four by four is, that 

 it gives a better chance to select the best trees in thinning. 

 Often two nice, straight trees may be left within two or three 

 feet of each other till one is large enough for a post. The secret 

 of a profitable crop is having the land well occupied, and this 

 way of planting gives a better opportunity to do this. 



When the land is thoroughly prepared, lay it off with a two 

 horse plow so as to make a deep furrow. Two men and a boy 

 will work to the best advantage. The boy holds the tree up- 

 right while the men shovel the earth to the roots and tramp it 

 solid. They should be cultivated for one year at least, and two 

 are better. In planting the trees it is best to assort, and put the 

 large and small ones separate, as, if a large and small tree are 

 set side by side, the large one usually gets the start and the 

 other is overshadowed. No tree excels the locust in hardiness, 

 and with ordinary care, scarcely one tree in a thousand will die. 

 If from drought or any other cause, the first summer's growth is 

 not satisfactory, it is a good plan to cut back close to the 

 ground the next spring, as by this time the roots will be well 

 developed, and the trees will make a strong, straight growth. 

 If this is done, it will be necessary to rub off all the sprouts but 

 one. A little trimming will be of advantage for a few years, re- 

 moving side branches and bringing the trees into good shape, 

 and this may be done during the leisure of winter. As the trees 

 attain a sufficient size to be of value, cut out where they are 

 thickest until the number is reduced to six or eight hundred to 

 the acre. 



After the trees are four years old, the plantation may be 

 seeded to grass and pastured at first with young cattle. I 

 think pasturing an advantage while the thinning is being done, 

 as the stock will keep down the sprouts. When the plantation 

 is cleared, the stock must be kept out two years or until the 

 second growth is out of their way. The second growth is more 

 rapid than the first, as the old roots nourish the young plants 

 and cause a growth of eight or ten feet the first summer. In 

 locations where the locust trees grow, the farmer can save his 

 own seed. It may be gathered any time from October to May, 



