10 



crops, it should still produce good crops of trees, and for that pur- 

 pose should be the first selected. 



In case willow and cottonwood are used the cost of the planting 

 material should be trifling. Cuttings may often be had for the 

 trouble of gathering them. Unfortunately, coniferous stock is ex- 

 pensive. Planting and cultivating are some of the smaller items of 

 expense. 



THE SPECIES PLANTED. 



In selecting a tree for commercial planting, its adaptability to the 

 climate and situation, and rapidity of growth are the chief considera- 

 tions. A tree may be perfectly hardy against cold, like willow and cot- 

 tonwood, but may not be drought resistant. Hence it must be planted 

 on sites that afford sufficient moisture for its best growth. Another tree 

 may be drought resistant, but may grow too slowly upon dry ground to 

 make it profitable. The time element is always a foremost considera- 

 tion. If a tree crop is an investment then the sooner it matures the 

 better. The different trees native to this region have usually been 

 divided into two classes: The rapid-growing softwood species, and 

 the more slowly growing hardwood species. The former flourish only 

 in the moist, porous soils of the river valleys, and under such condi- 

 tions produce a large amount of material in a short time. While the 

 market recognizes a slight difference in price between the two classes 

 of woods, this difference does not seem to equal the difference in the 

 amount of production. Thus an acre of cottonwood might produce 

 3.5 cords a year, while one of ash would produce 1.5. At $3 a cord 

 the first acre would bring $10.50 ; at $5 a cord the other would bring 

 $7.50, or a difference of $3 in favor of the fast-growing cottonwood. 

 Quantity rather than high quality is the present demand. Fuel wood 

 need not be durable. The life of nondurable wood can often be 

 lengthened by proper preservative treatment, or by using it in places 

 where the conditions are unfavorable for decay. 



TBEES BECOMMENDED. 



Measurements show that the native species studied do not grow 

 fast enough upon the upland to justify their planting for profit alone ; 

 yet two introduced species, European larch and Scotch pine, produce 

 respectively an annual net return per acre of $11.93 and $13.35 and 

 can be planted as a commercial venture. They are both hardy and 

 profitable upon upland and would show even better results when 

 planted in the river valley. The pine can be grown in pure stand, 

 but both can be grown to better advantage when mixed with white 

 spruce. 



Cottonwood and white willow are profitable on the deep porous 

 soils of the river valley. Seven cottonwood groves yielded an aver- 



[Cir. 145] 



