26 PRACTICAL TREE-PLANTING IN OPERATION. 



the level of the river. In composition the soil varies from loamy sand 

 to clay, being a mixture of the sand of the river and the red clay of 

 the uplands. Water-bearing sand occurs at a depth of from 2 to G feet 

 below the surface. In some of the lower places alkali appears in such 

 quantity as to interfere with the growth of the blue-stem grass that for 

 the most part covers the bottom. On account of the nearness of the 

 underground water to the surface, and the fact that the river some- 

 times overflows the lower portion, the laud is frequently wet. 



A wide difference exists between the conditions in the first and 

 second bottoms. The latter, depending entirely upon rainfall, has a 

 very dry though fertile soil. In composition it is a deep, heavy, red 

 marl. A large ravine or canyon opens into the river valley at the 

 point where the plantation is to be made. 



The red soil and the subsoil of the first bottom is readily penetrated 

 by water, and when saturated holds much moisture. Owing to the 

 very finely divided condition of the soil particles, the capillary move- 

 ment of moisture through the soil is quite rapid, -so that the retentive 

 power is not naturally great. In the low valley this strong capillarity 

 is advantageous, because it tends to keep the surface soil constantly 

 supplied with moisture from the undiminishable supply below. 



The proposed plantation is a tract 50 rods square, lying wholly in the 

 first bottom, near the east side of the farm. It is bounded on the 

 south by a high bluff', and contains the mouth of the ravine mentioned 

 above, with its alluvial deposit. The land was first broken four or five 

 years ago, but the sod has never been killed and each spring renews 

 its growth. If the land remains uncultivated for a season the sod 

 becomes almost completely reset. Considerable growth of Willow and 

 False Indigo occurs in places. 



There is but little natural tree growth in the river valley and none 

 on the upland. Cottonwoods 50 to 60 feet high grow on sand bars in 

 the valley, where fire cannot reach them, and others have grown in 

 protected places under the bluff. It is probable that frequent fires 

 account for the present nonforested condition of the river bottom. In 

 the canyons extending back from the river, White Elm, Honey Locust, 

 Hackberry, and Soapberry occur as scattering trees. Formerly Ked 

 Cedar occurred in places, but this has nearly all been cut down. 

 Owing to the fact that this region has been settled but six years, no 

 plantations of more than five years' growth are to be found. Those 

 which have been made are mostly small and consist of Cotton wood. 

 The growth of the trees in these groves has been very rapid, averaging 

 3 or 4 feet j)er year. All of these plantations have been made upon the 

 upland, and they have not yet reached the age when the Cottouwood 

 begins to fail in such locations. 



The special purpose of this plantation is the production of timber 

 suitable for posts. It must contain a mixture of species which will 



