17 



Plantation No. 2. 

 COST (ACTUAL). RETURNS. 



Plants, 2,722, at $1.15 per M $3. 13 First-class posts, 18, at 14 cents ... $2.52 



Preparation of the ground, culti- ! Second-class posts, 510, at 9 cents . 45.90 



ration, and pruning 18. 46 



Total 21.59 



Interest on $21. 59 for fifteen years 

 at 5 per cent compound interest. 23. 29 



Total cost at the end of fif- 

 teen years 44.88 



Value at the end of fifteen 



years 48. 42 



Deducting the cost, $44.88, from the gross returns, $58.42, leaves 

 $3.54 as the net income at the end of fifteen years, which is equiva- 

 lent to an annual net income at 5 per cent compound interest of 16 

 cents per year. 



This plantation would make a much better showing if measured in 

 three or four years. Because of the impoverished condition of the 

 soil, the trees are only just reaching post size. Most of them are 

 sound and thrifty and will make fence posts in a few years. 



These two plantations make it clear that catalpa requires a good 

 soil for its best development, and emphasize the fact that with trees as 

 with other crops the highest returns are realized from the best soils. 



GREEN ASH. 



Next to cotton wood, green ash has been the most widely planted 

 tree in eastern Nebraska. Its range for planting comprizes the 

 entire region, except portions of the sand hills. It succeeds best on 

 low land, yet no other tree, except possibly honey locust, is so well 

 adapted to dry upland planting. In the sand hills it can not be planted 

 on the upland, but does tolerably well in the valleys. 



In general, the timber of green ash is only slightly inferior to that 

 of white ash, and the tree is much hardier. It should be planted 

 mainly for posts and fuel. Its fuel value is relatively high, and under 

 favorable conditions a yield of at least 1 cord per year per acre may 

 be realized. As a post timber green ash is not among the best, but is 

 widely used. When cut in the fall or winter and thoroly seasoned 

 the posts are fully twice as serviceable as when set green. Its diam- 

 eter growth is somewhat lower than that of catalpa. In good soil it 

 will attain post size in from twelve to fifteen years, but since its heart- 

 wood does not develop early, posts cut from young trees are not very 

 durable. 



[Cir. 45] 



