506 FOREST CULTIVATION IN ILLINOIS. 



and chestnut. The seeds should be gathered as soon as ripe, mixed 

 with damp sand before becoming dry, packed in boxes, put in a cool place 

 on the north side of a building or fence, and covered with earth, secur- 

 ing them against rats and mice. They should be planted as early as pos- 

 sible one foot apart in the rows. The seeds of the oaks should be planted 

 where the trees are to remain. The young plants should receive clean 

 culture until they are too large to be smothered by weeds. If they are 

 to be removed, it is best to sow in seed-beds, and transplant when one, 

 or, at most, two years old. The chestnut is sometimes killed to the ground 

 the first winter in Northern Illinois. This should be guarded against by 

 ridging up the rows with a plow late in the autumn, or by covering with 

 litter. It is rarely if ever injured by cold after the first winter. 



Among the oaks cf Illinois the white oak (Quercus alba) is unquestionably the most 

 useful, and it is also d iff used in the greatest abundance over the country. There are in 

 the State many tracts of broken land, mostly near streams, which are covered with 

 young trees, principally oak, that only need presevation to become in time valuable 

 timber. 



The burr oak (Q. macrocarjya) appears to be a stranger to the Atlantic States. It 

 grows in richer soil than the white-oak, and its wood is, for most purposes, equally 

 valuable. It is more durable when used for posts, but its pores are more o]5en, so that 

 it is not used for casks intended to contain liquors. 



The swamp white oak (Q. jirinua var. discolor) occurs in low moist land. Its wood 

 resembles that of the white oak, and by some is considered equally valuable, but is 

 much less cjmmon. 



The post oak {Q. oUusUoha) is common in Central and Southern Illinois, and is said 

 to be found throughout the State, but Mr. Bryant had not met with it in the northern 

 part. It will thrive on very poor soils. The wood is heavier, stronger, finer grained, 

 and more durable than that of the white oak. It is a middle-sized tree, and rarely 

 affords timber of any considerable length. The superior quality of its wood renders 

 it well worthy of cultivation. 



The chestniit is not a native of Illinois, but will grow in every part, thriving in 

 almost any soil that is not too wet. The wood is more durable thau white oak for 

 fence-posts, and is much used for cabinet-work and for inside finish of houses, railroad- 

 cars, &LC. When cut in winter, a grove of chestnuts will reproduce itself from the 

 Btumps in fifteen or twenty years. These suckers grow with astonishing rapidity, 

 and need no care but the exclusion of cattle and occasional thinning. Unquestionably 

 it might be planted profitably for the fruit, and for this purpose the trees should be 

 planted 1.5 or 20 feet apart. 



Ash trees come nest after the oaks as important for general use. The seeds of the 

 ditferent species ripen about the first of October, and should be mixed with moist saud 

 and laid aside till spring. They may then be sown in seed-beds, and the trees trans- 

 planted when one or two years old in places where they are to remain. Two feet 

 apart is the proper distance to set them. 



The white ash {Fraxinus Americana) attains its greatest development in cold climates, 

 and its wood is valuable for many uses. It grows faster than the oak, and is one of 

 the trees in which the most rapid growth produces the best timber. It is every way 

 worthv of extensive culture. 



The'blue ash {F. quadraiigulata), nnknowu in the Atlantic States, is found in the 

 West in rich soils, not growing as large as the white a-h, but its wood quite equal in 

 value. South of 40° it would be more eligible for cultivation thau the white ash. 



The black ash {F. sambucifolla) commonly grows in wet soils. The wood is tough 

 and elastic, and the concentric circles are easily separated, thus forming an economical 

 material for boons. 



The red ash (F. pubescens) and green ash (F. vindis) afibrd timber similar in quality 

 to the white ash, but of smaller size. 



The walnut family ranks next. The nut should, before dry, be laid in heaps on dry 

 ground, covered with straw, and over this 3 or 4 inches of earth. They should be 

 planted in spring like acorns, except that black walnuts and butternuts should be 

 placed 2 feet apart. Hickories should grow 1 foot apart, till some are large enough 

 for hoop-poles. 



The black walnut {Juglans nigra) is of rapid growth and easy culture, and, from the 

 value of its wood, promises greatest profit. It should be planted by itself, as it is a 

 bad neighbor, and fruit-trees near it soon perish. 



The butternut (•/. cinerea) grows further north than the black walnut, and its wood, 

 although less valuable, is still worth cultivatiou. The wood is used for cabinet wares 

 and for inside finish to houses. 



