45 



and for these purposes it has been almost indispensable to number- 

 less settlers. A man does not have to reach a very old age to have 

 trees of his own planting make respectable sawlogs. The writer 

 recalls distinctly the pride with which an early settler built a barn 

 of cottonwood lumber cut from trees raised by himself. 



Originally, countless cottonwoods were planted in the towns. A 

 reaction took place when the trees reached the age of seeding and the 

 abundant cotton in the spring filled the air and formed miniature 

 snowdrifts on the sidewalks and in dooryards, while the tall crowds 

 continued to shoot upward quickly after each pollarding. For town 

 planting it should be used sparingly, and is best in parks. A typical 

 case of park planting is at Dodge City, which is the result of eighteen 

 years of growth. 



As already said, cottonwood grows easily and rapidly from cut- 

 tings, and by taking them from staminate trees the production of 

 cotton may be avoided. Agents often advocate the Carolina poplar, 

 and tell the unsophisticated purchaser that it does not make the 

 objectionable cotton. This is simply an eastern variety of cotton- 

 wood, which is not even recognized by some botanists, and if cotton 

 is not formed it is because cuttings have been made as recommended. 

 The person who intends to put out cottonwoods can do no better than 

 to go to the nearest stream where they grow well and there dig up 

 his seedlings or make his cuttings. 



A few measurements follow: 



(iruwth of 



or nattered cottonwood. 



BOXELDER. 



The boxelder is the only native maple in western Kansas, and like 

 the cottonwood has often been planted in unsuitable localities. It 

 naturally grows in moist situations, and does not thrive away from 

 them. Consequently it can not be recommended for the uplands, 

 except in local depressions that are benefited by the run-off of sur- 

 rounding territory. It prefers a heavy soil to a sandy one, grows 



[Cir. 101. J 



