14 



year-old transplanted trees are best for establishing a plantation. 

 For pure plantations on dry soils a spacing of 4 feet by 4 feet is 

 advised. On better soils 4 feet by 6 feet or 4 feet by 8 feet is prefer- 

 able. For windbreaks or shelterbelts on the high prairies of the 

 Southwest a desirable mixture is red cedar and Osage orange or 

 honey locust. Here the trees should be planted 4 feet apart in 

 alternate rows 6 feet apart. Red cedar does well also in mixture 

 with cottonwood. For fence posts cedar should be planted pure, 

 with 4-foot spacing in rows 6 feet apart. 



Success with red cedar, especially in the semiarid region, will 

 depend largely upon the character and extent of cultivation given. 

 On unfavorable sites the plantation should be given frequent shallow 

 cultivation for several years after setting. In river and creek val- 

 leys, where water is near the surface, it is unnecessary to cultivate 

 after the first two or three years. 



PINES. 



The four species of pine which have already been given are known 

 to be suitable for planting in only the northern portions of the 

 plains region. None of them is as hardy as red cedar, but their 

 rate of growth is more rapid and compares favorably with that of 

 honey locust. Pines are excellent for shelterbelts and ornamental 

 purposes. 



The two foreign species, Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Aus- 

 trian pine (Pinus austriaca), have been planted to some extent in 

 western Kansas, and it is believed that either of them will thrive on 

 the uplands if given proper care. The foliage of the Austrian 

 species is the heavier and darker colored, which makes it both a 

 better windbreak and more ornamental than the Scotch pine. 



Jack pine (Pinus divaricata] is a very hardy tree and is suited 

 to sterile, sandy soils. It will withstand considerable drought and 

 i? rarely injured by frost. Jack pine is intolerant of shade at all 

 ages and not well adapted for mixed plantations. It is one of the 

 most rapid-growing pines, but is comparatively short lived, reach- 

 ing maturity in about sixty years. Jack pine is well worth a trial 

 throughout western Nebraska, western Kansas, and eastern Colorado. 

 It should prove a good tree for windbreaks, shelterbelts, and farm 

 woodlots, especially in the sand-hill region. 



Western yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa) is also a hardy species and. 

 will endure a great diversity of soil and climate conditions. In the 

 most favorable situations its growth is fairly rapid. On the plains 

 it should be planted in pure stands. Jack pine, western yellow pine, 

 and Scotch pine promise to be the most valuable species in the f oresta- 

 tion of the Nebraska sand hills, and by the use of sturdy stock the 



[Cir. 99] 



