76 



The Canadian Forestry Journal. 



probably three or four days' labor a 

 year being all that is required. A good 

 plantation of willow, cottonwood or 

 Russian poplar should require no 

 further attention after the third season. 

 Rates of Growth. 



In 1905 and 1906 there were set out 

 on the Nursery several acres of planta- 

 tion, the varieties being the common 

 hardy kinds suitable for prairie growth. 

 Measurements are taken in these plan- 

 tations annually in order to compare the 

 rates of growth of the different varieties, 

 and also that we may establish the exact 

 cost of a plantation, as this will vary 

 according to the varieties, method of 

 mixing, and planting distance. As soon 

 as large enough the trees will be cut for 

 fuel and in this way it is hoped to arrive 

 at definite conclusions as to the most 

 profitable varieties for a farmer to grow. 



The following measurements taken in 

 these plantations last fall (1008) may 

 be of interest as showing the compara- 

 tive rates of growth during the early 

 years. The measurements represent 

 averages of hundreds of trees selected 

 as being about average trees in the plan- 



tations, though we naturally find many 

 individuals far larger than these average 

 figures would indicate. 



Variety. 



Cottonwood . 



Willow 



Russian poplar. 



Ash 



Elm 



Man maple... . 



White birch . 

 Scotch pine., 



Tamarac 



White spruce 





1904 

 1906 

 1904 

 1906 

 1906 

 1906 

 1904 

 1906 

 1906 

 1905 

 1906 

 1904 

 1905 

 1905 



Average 



new 

 growth, 



1908 



ft. in. 

 1 9 



6 

 7 

 2 

 8 

 4 



5§ 



3 



Oh 



7 ■ 



Oi 



1 



lU 



the actual cash expenses for three years 

 in establishing a plantation at our 

 Nursery Station. On an average farm 

 there need be no actual cash expense. 



[Photo by N. M. Ross 

 Nursery beds ef conifers, shaded, at Forest Nursery Station, Indian Head, Sask., in spring of 190S. 



