68 TREE PLANTER'S MANUAL. 



"I planted a portion of black locust seed last spring. These grew to a 

 height of about eighteen inches, and have not as yet been injured by frosts. 

 I noticed that a few of these black locust seedlings had been slightly 

 nipped by the frost, while others remained entirely untouched. 



"Black walnut trees planted four years ago were slightly touched by 

 frost the first spring after being planted; since that have remained thrifty 

 and uninjured. 



"The interest taken in tree culture increases each year, and my attention 

 has been called to the fact that more trees were planted last spring than at 

 any other time in the history of the Red River Valley; but I cannot refrain 

 from expressing regret in the face of the fact that cottonwood trees are 

 planted in excess of any other kind, well knowing from personal experi- 

 ence and observation that the cottonwood is the least adapted to the soil 

 and climate of this country.'' 



LOST $200,000 ! 



In his practical lecture, Feb. 23, before the Farmers' Institute held in 

 Minneapolis, Hon. Geo. T. Powell, speaking on "Fertility of Soil," dwelt 

 with great earnestness upon the absolute necessity of planting forest trees 

 for the purpose of enriching the soil with the fertilizing properties of 

 decayed vegetation, and with moisture, which the farmer must have for his 

 plants or fail of a crop. He also emphasized the commercial value of trees, 

 constantly rising in price all over the country, owing to the almost 

 universal scarcity; and illustrated his statement with an incident that 

 occurred in Indiana: 



In early years when the farm was developing to be something, the 

 farmer referred to, planted four young black walnuts. Under proper 

 treatment they grew well and at last became magnificent trees, vast and 

 clean in trunk and limbs, bearing delicious nuts every year. About this 

 time a lumber-dealing gentleman, having observed them, one day offered 

 the owner fifty dollars each, if he would cut them down for market. 

 Though hard pressed for money, the farmer declined the offer. A few 

 hours after, returning home, the farmer said: 



" Wife, I have lost $200,000 to-day." 



"How can that be," she laughed, "when you never had so much in your 

 life?" 



Here he related the offer of the lumberman, adding, "If when I planted 

 those four walnuts, I had been sensible enough to have planted four 

 thousand such, don't you see I would to-day be worth $200,000?" 



