ECONOMIC. 67 



more uses the near future will develop we cannot now enumerate. Spruce 

 wood, not constructed into pulp, constitutes sounding-boards of most of 

 our musical instruments, and when free from knots and shakiness brings 

 an enormous price for this purpose. 



ALARM OF THE MANUFACTURERS. 



Should not an industry so vast and important be studiously guarded by 

 legislation? We are so fast exhausting this providential source of art and 

 wealth and comfort, that pulp manufacturers, in the East especially, are 

 alarmed and are looking about experimentally to find, if possible, material 

 to take the place of spruce. It may be discovered. But this anticipation, 

 illy founded as yet, should not deter vigilant action to spare this tree 

 from extinction. If a substitute be found, the commercial value of the 

 spruce cannot lessen on other lines of manufacture. 



Tree Planting in the Red River Valley. 



Many residents of the Red River Valley have had much difficulty in 

 raising planted trees greatly to their discouragement. When trees 

 naturally grow along some of the rivers there, it should inspire them with 

 hope. Evidently where failure occurs, it is due to improper management. 

 Of course if their purchased trees are defective, and they are apt to be so 

 when purchased of unscrupulous tree peddlers, or damaged by exposure to 

 sun heat while planting, or by shabby planting or by neglect to cultivate 

 after, planting, the trees will die, and that speedily. The following extract 

 from a paper by Rev. O. A. Th. Solem, read at the forestry session of the 

 Horticultural Society, January 11, 1894, gives a sure index of success in 

 that'" valley under right management. Halstad, where this forester lives, 

 is located in Norman county, 47> degrees north latitude. 



" Six years ago I made an attempt to plant evergreens, but was careful 

 not to procure trees from the canvassing agents. I gave my order to a 

 responsible and highly recommended nursery. My trial order gave entire 

 satisfaction, and as a result I now have several thousand trees of 

 different varieties. Last year I had the pleasure of distributing a goodly 

 number of these trees among my friends. 



" I now have sixteen different varieties of evergreens, ranging from two 

 inches to five feet in height, a majority of which seem to be thrifty and 

 doing well. Scotch pine grows very raidily. ' Colorado Blue Spruce' 

 grows quite slow, bat pleases and engages my attention the most. It is 

 my intention to secure as many as possible of this fancied variety. I have 

 quite a number of this variety from seed. Of deciduous trees, I have a 

 vast assortment, such as elm, American linden, American larch, red 

 cherry, European birch, etc. American larch grows very rapid here. Red 

 cherry and European birch remain unmolested as yet, but cannot give any 

 definite opinion as to their hardiness this being the first winter of my 

 experience with this variety. 



