18 



Diamond willow is durable in contact with the soil, and is valuable 

 for fence posts. It has been much used in the Dakotas for this pur- 

 pose. It is a small tree, seldom more than 4 inches in diameter, and 

 is usually propagated by cuttings. 



BOXELDER. 



Boxelder is chiefly valuable for shade or shelter. Its fuel value is 

 higher than that of cottonwood, but its yield is low. It is very hardy, 

 grows rapidly, and is easily propagated. It is short-lived, however, 

 and should always be planted with longer-lived trees. 



RUSSIAN OLIVE. 



Russian olive is another excellent tree that has been imported from 

 Europe. It has not been widely planted in these valleys, but its suc- 

 cess on the dry plains of the Dakotas recommends it for use here, 

 especially under irrigation. Its silvery white foliage and fragrant 

 yellow flowers give it high ornamental value. It is durable, and in 

 many places is being planted for fence posts. 



BUFFALO BERRY. 



Buffalo berry, which reaches scarcely more than shrub size, is a 

 native to this territory. It is closely related to the Russian olive, and 

 is used only in ornamental planting and for windbreaks. It is exceed- 

 ingly drought-resistant, and succeeds well on a wide range of soils. 



SILVER MAPLE. 



This tree has been extensively planted in the South Platte country, 

 and is hardy for all parts of it. It is the principal shade tree of 

 Denver. In the North Platte Valley it winterkills badly, from Bridge- 

 port west. It succeeds at North Platte and can doubtless be grown 

 successfully for some distance west of that city, but it can not be 

 recommended for the valley as a whole. Aside from its use as an 

 ornamental tree, silver maple makes a good windbreak, and its wood 

 is valuable for fuel. 



HARDY CATALPA. 



Thus far hardy catalpa has not been successfully grown in 

 the North Platte Valley. In the South Platte region it has been 

 planted with more or less success from Julesburg west. In the 

 depot park at Julesburg are a half dozen specimens 15 years old 

 which average 7 inches in diameter 4^ feet from the ground. At 



[Cir. 109] 



