14 



and attains a greater age than the other softwoods mentioned. As a 

 section of the State becomes older and more wealthy, better homes 

 are built and are surrounded by slower-growing, longer-lived trees. 

 The planting of evergreens was begun at an early date, as the settlers 

 saw that, since they retained their leaves throughout the year, they 

 were much more effective for windbreaks than deciduous trees. 



PURPOSE OF PLANTING. 



Following the period of planting quick-growing trees on the prairies 

 for protection only came the time when anxiety as to future timber 

 supplies, aroused by the depletion of the virgin timber by railroads and 

 the exploitation of red cedar and walnut, led to the planting of better, 

 slower-growing hardwoods. The State law of 1868, which granted a 

 rebate of taxes for a certain amount of planting, resulted from t'his 

 fear of a timber famine. Under this law a large amount of planting 

 was done, but frauds caused its repeal during the eighties. Altogether 

 the law worked for good, since it not only increased the amount of 

 planting done, but aroused interest in trees and increased the knowl- 

 edge of planting and of species best adapted for the State. In nearly 

 all cases the plantations which were made under this law were com- 

 posed of soft-wooded hardwoods, and to-day these species form a 

 very large proportion of the planted groves. Black locust, black 

 walnut, green ash, honey locust, and European larch were planted for 

 posts and lumber, and wherever even the slightest attention and care 

 was given, such groves, with the exception of the black locust, have 

 given good results. The black locust, a few years after planting, was 

 destroyed by the locust borer (Cyllene robinise). Many nurseries 

 came into existence between 1865 and 1880, and did much toward the 

 introduction of evergreens and more desirable hardwoods. 



PROBABLE CAUSES OF SUCCESS OR FAILURE. 



There were many failures during the early years of tree planting in 

 the State, and there are still many. These failures, however, have 

 been useful in supplying knowledge of the best species to plant and of 

 the best methods of establishing and caring for plantations. 



The greatest cause of failure was the absence of proper care. Small 

 trees of silver maple, green ash, and black walnut were planted in 

 groves as close as 3 by 6 feet or 4 by 4 feet. They were not cultivated 

 or thinned, and as they became larger many were deformed and 

 killed by crowding and lack of moisture. In many cases the groves 

 were used for stock yards or feed lots during winter, and browsing 

 and trampling prevented reproduction and often exposed the roots 

 and damaged the bark of older trees so that they died. Trees respond 

 readily to cultivation and care. They will not succeed to the fullest 

 degree if sod is allowed to form about them or if the soil is packed 

 down around the roots by the constant trampling of cattle and horses. 



[Cir. 154] 



