12 FOREST PLANTING. 



as spruce. In many situations the plantations may be made 

 with a view to marketing Christmas trees, for which either spe- 

 cies is preferred. A mixture of balsam and spruce with a view 

 to removing the former at 10 or 15 years, leaving the latter to 

 grow to timber size, would often prove advisable. 



Cottomvood. (Populus deltoides.) The so-called Carolina 

 poplar, a tree of very rapid growth on moist soil of little value 

 where it is dry. It should be planted not less than 10 feet apart, 

 either pure or mixed with a more tolerant species suited to the 

 same conditions. A yield of 25 M board feet in 30 years may 

 be expected. 



Red Oak. (Quercus rubra.) Probably the most promising 

 deciduous tree for soils of moderate fertility. Its wood has a 

 recognized value for many purposes, and apparently is the most 

 available for railroad ties. A yield of 20 M board feet, or 700 

 railroad ties, per acre in 40 years is possible. 



Tulip Poplar. (Liriodendron tulipifera.) The most valuable 

 soft wood deciduous tree. It requires strong, well-drained soils, 

 but when planted in such situations grows vigorously. As the 

 wood is used generally for cabinet work and fine box boards, 

 trees less than 16" diameter, breast-high, have comparatively 

 little value. Properly made plantations should yield 30 M 

 board feet per acre at 50 years. 



White Ash. (Fraxinus Americana.) This tree grows vigor- 

 ously on ground too wet for cultivation. Its wood is in constant 

 demand on account of its toughness and elasticity. As sapwood 

 is even more valuable than heartwood, the trees can be mar- 

 keted when comparatively young. Ten M board feet, or 20 

 cords, at 25 years are easily possible. 



Hickory. (Hicoria laciniosa, [shellbark,] H. alba, [bullnut,] H. 

 glabra, [pig nut.]) The first grows on moist land, the two latter 

 on drier ground, but all require considerable fertility for a satis- 

 factory development. The wood is highly valuable for ve- 

 hicles and tool handles, and is preferred when young rather than 

 when old. Where conditions are favorable, no crop is likely 

 to be more valuable than one of hickory. It will usually be 

 marketed in the form of billets and measured by the cord. A 

 yield of 15 cords in 25 years may be expected. 



Basswood. (Tilia americana.) A tree in many respects sim- 



