PLANTING PLAN FOR A PLANTATION. 15 



able here than in many places ; but there are, nevertheless, millions of 

 acres upon which this successful tree growth can be duplicated. 



Successful as this plantation has been, it lacks the element of per- 

 manence. Already part of the Cotton wood grove has been cut 

 away, and the land is again prairie. Not an acre of Western prairie 

 land that has been transformed into forest should ever be allowed to 

 revert. The Cottonwood and Boxelder should yield only to the Locust, 

 Ash, Walnut, and Oak, for valuable timber should be the ultimate aim 

 of every Western planter. 



Plate III, fig. 1, illustrates what may be expected on the plains of 

 the West in a pure plantation of Black Locust, on soil best adapted to 

 its growth, when properly planted and cared for. In contrast with 

 this desirable plantation, which may be attained with this or other 

 species in many Western regions, there is presented in- Plate III, 

 fig. 2, an illustration of the site for a proposed plantation in North 

 Dakota on the open, wind-swept prairie. 



PLANTING PLAN FOE A PLANTATION FOR GENERAL PURPOSES ON 

 THE FARM OF MR. P. G. JACOBSON. MADISON, MINN. 



This farm is located one-half mile north of Madison, the county seat 

 of Lac qui Parle County, Minn., on the east J of section 17, township 

 118, range 44, west of the fifth principal meridian. 



The region in which the farm is located consists of high rolling prai- 

 rie, with i, either natural forest nor natural elevations to break the force 

 of the wind which sweeps over the country at all seasons of the year. 

 The farm consists of 320 acres, at an elevation of about 1,200 feet above 

 the sea level. The surface has no uniform slope, but, owing to a 

 number of knolls with low and irregular depressions between them, 

 slopes in all directions are to be found. These are gradual and slight, 

 with the difference in elevation between the knolls and depressions of 

 not more than 8 to 10 feet. No creeks, ravines, or water runways 

 occur upon the farm. 



The soil, like that of the entire region, is a deep, black, heavy marl 

 of glacial origin, with enough clay to make it adhesive when wet, and 

 somewhat difficult to cultivate. It contains a large admixture of vege- 

 table mold, which renders it more porous and friable than it would 

 otherwise be. Its absorptive capacity is large and its retentive powers 

 so great that it resists drought very well. 



At a depth of from 3 to 4 feet a light, yellow clay subsoil appears 

 and continues down to the water level, some 20 to 25 feet below the 

 surface. It is sufficiently porous to allow the percolation of water 

 through it, and at times becomes so saturated that the water drains 

 out into cellars. 



The several farm buildings are located near the south side of the 

 farm, adjacent to the public road, which follows the section line. In 



