DEFECTS IN TIMBER-CULTURE ACT OF 1873-'74. 23 



In an address delivered before the State Horticultural Society of Kan- 

 sas, in 1875, he says : 



It takes no prophet's eye to see that thousands of timber claims in Kansas will be 

 failures, involving serious loss of time and money. Practical kiiowledjije, to a laige 

 extent, is yet to be acquired on this question. A few facts have been collected, but 

 very much remains to be learned in regard to what is essential to successful forest 

 culture upon the plains. (Transactions State Horticultural Society of Kansas, 1875, pp. 

 20, 98.) 



Mr. F. E. Robinson, of Clay County, Kansas, in reporting to the 

 State Horticultural Society, in speaking of the operation of the timber- 

 culture act, says: 



I think it would be better if the law were such that one could plant the trees in 

 belts to protect the farm and orchard. And I also think it would be a much better 

 idea to give the privilege of planting more trees and less number of acres. For in- 

 stance, say plant half the number of trees that the law now requires, and plant them 

 in rows not over eight feet apart, and not toore than four feet apart in the rows ; and 

 also let the law be such that one can plant seeds and cultivate. Walnut, maple, and box- 

 elder seeds and cottonwood cuttings can be procured in almost any locality. If the 

 law were such, I think it would prove more beneficial, for one could then plant the 

 seeds and cuttings in drills, and cultivate them much better, and the second season 

 thin out the rows and transplant. When they get to be six or eight years old, they 

 would shade the ground, and keep it loose and moist. As it is, when a tree becomes 

 six or eight years old, one cannot plow close to it without injuring its roots. Here, 

 unless the ground is thoroughly cultivated every year, it grows very rank with weeds, 

 and the ground bakes or packs as hard as a plank floor, thereby making it impossible 

 for a tree to grow or even live. {Transactions of Kansas State Horticultural Society, 

 1876, p. 125.) 



It is desirable to change the timber act of Congress so as to encourage the planting 

 of trees in rows or narrow belts for the protection of the whole farm. (E. Topping 

 Ottawa, Kans., ib., p. 136.) 



A change in this act is undoubtedly desirable, so as to allow the claimant the privi- 

 lege of planting in groves, screens, aiid belts, for the protection of orchards and fields. 

 {J. N. Hall, Oskaloosa, Kans., ib., p. 141.) 



Many claims have been taken under the timber act ; but very few, if any, will com- 

 ply with the law. I do not think any change in the law would redound to the advan- 

 tage of the settler or the State, as the settlers would not comply with the change that 

 might be made, any more than they do with the law as it now stands. They do not 

 comply with the homestead law in its true spirit, and hardly with the letter. (L. M. 

 Hill, Hill Spring, Kans., ib., p. \b2.) 



There are probably over four hundred claims under the timber act in this county, and 

 the number is daily increasing. The result has been very encouraging, when properly 

 managed. Not more than thirty per ceut. of the claimants will comply with the law. 

 If the act could be changed so as to allow the planting to be made in belts of five to 

 ten rods wide, composed of rows not more than six feet apart, they would protect each 

 other, and save much labor ; besides, this would place a check on speculation in claims. 

 (C C. Chevalier, Garfield, Pawnee County, Kansas, ib., p. 158.) 



A great many claims have been taken under the timber act, but not more than one- 

 half will comply with the laws. (T. A. Mosher, Belleville, Kans., Ib. 158.) 



A considerable number of claims have been taken under the timber act. Compara- 

 tively a small proportion of them are being successfully managed. The few that have 

 made a success of forestry have at least proved the practicability of timber culture. 

 They have proven that it is not only practicable, but profitable. If this act could be 

 so changed as to enable persons to plant their timber in belts for protection, it certainly 

 would be of some advantage to the rest of the ground, but it would be better for the 

 timber to have it in a solid body, and it would be less expensive to protect from fire to 

 have it compact. The careful protection of timber for five or six years after it is 

 planted will be no small item ; and those who cultivate timber should have an eye to 

 this fact in planting it. (J. B. SchUchter, Sterling, Kans., Ib. 159.) 



The Register of a land office in Nevada, says : 



I would repeal that clause which requires any particular part of the land to be de- 

 voted exclusively to timber culture, and advise for Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, 

 Arizona, New Mexico, and the arid parts of Oregon and California, that tree-planting 

 be made an incident to irrigation, and one that, with small cost, may aid in the 

 economical use of water, and tend to make permanent the various systems of ditches 

 that are now often but temporary. This may be done by planting along the course of 

 each irrigating ditch. Let the act be amended by substituting ain-opernumber of trees, 



