322 FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION July 



depth and fertility of that in western tiously-cared-for claims ; they speak for 

 Kansas, together with an average an- themselves today. The majority, how- 

 nual precipitation of nearly 20 inches, ever, came to little or nothing, and, after 

 even though it be somewhat periodic, various modifications, the law was re- 

 it is safe to predict that American inge- pealed in 1891. 



nuity and perseverance will eventually The planter now plants because he 

 conqu.er. The sod-house days of '87 wants trees and realizes their value; con- 

 are past, and there is now a healthy, sequentlyhe will be more careful in his 

 steady growth. The present settler choice and give more after attention than 

 comes here with a knowledge of condi- did his predecessors. A close examina- 

 tions and the determination to master tion of the country leaves little room foi 

 them. Improved methods of cultiva- doubt concerning the success of foresl 

 tion and drouth-resisting crops are being planting in western Kansas if the species 

 tried. The cattleman has found that he are intelligently selected and properh 

 can raise sorghum and Kaffir corn prac- cared for. The attempt has been to make 

 tically every season, and that it pays it conservative and practical rather thar 

 better to feed his stock during the win- theoretical. It is written wholly from 

 ter than to let them "rough it through" non-irrigation standpoint, not because 

 in the old-fashioned way. In the creek the writer does not believe in irrigatior 

 and river valleys alfalfa is being grown wherever possible, but because there i: 

 without irrigation clear to the Colorado small prospect that large upland areas o: 

 line, and with the alfalfa go the dairy the region will ever be irrigated. Sinct 

 cow and the cream can. it is safe to say that the majority of the 



It is unnecessary to enter upon any forest-tree planters will not irrigate, the 



discussion of the causes of the well-nigh species and methods suited to their need: 



total lack of trees on the Plains. What- are described. Those who are so fortu 



ever may be the reasons for the absence nately situated as to have artificial watei 



of natural forests, experience has proved can get correspondingly better result; 



that to a considerable degree artificial with the same species, besides having 



ones may be made to take their place. others that can not be grown at all with 



The generally accepted ratio is that for out irrigation, 



the best agricultural conditions one- WHERH TO PLANT 

 fourth of the country should be forested. 



There is little likelihood that half this In a naturally treeless region there i< 



amount will ever be attained in western need for planting almost everywhere 



Kansas ; yet the planting that will be Trees should be planted around houses 



done as the state increases in age and sheds, corrals, and garden patches foi 



wealth will be sufficient to greatly mod- protection and ornament ; planted ir 



ify the landscape and supply many do- groves for posts, fuel, and the number 



meslic purposes. In favored localities less uses which a stick of timber sup 



commercial returns may be expected; plies; planted in parks and along streets 



elsewhere the recompense to the planter because trees are a great factor in mak 



will be in the form of increased comfort ing a town " a good place to live in ; ' 



and convenience. planted in school-house, church, anc 



The most extensive early plantings court-house yards, so that public build 



were on the timber claims. They gen- ings shall not suffer by comparison witt 



erally resulted in failure because of private ones, and planted for commercia 



wrongly chosen species and neglect. purposes wherever possible, since a gooc 



The man who made a timber-culture plantation will afford a stead}' income 



filing did so to get a quarter section of aside from much pleasure and conveni 



land, not because he cared for trees or ence. 



knew anything about them. If he could While general soil conditions varj 



evade the law and prove up without any little throughout western Kansas, there 



trees whatever, he was quite likely to is abundant room for the selection ol 



think himself that much ahead. There situations in which to plant. Trees 



were some well-planted and conscien- like other forms of vegetation, respond 



