FOREST CULTUEE IN 'IOWA. 561 



protection to white pine or larch plantations on west or north sides. Evergreen plants 

 can be procured of parties in Illinois who grow them from seed and seed thiem out 

 once transplanted at low rates. Robert Douglas, of Waukegan, 111., whose long ex- 

 perience in prairie-tree growing gives a practical value to his opinions, advises the 

 extended planting of white and Scotch pines intermixed with the larch. He says : 



" Most European planters prefer mixing pines with larches, as this adds to the ap- 

 pearance of the plantation and gives a choice in thinning. We would advise planting 

 a few rows of the admixtui-e on the margin of the plantation, at least, and in all cases 

 where the plantations are placed along the outer boundaries of the farm, we would 

 recommend a free admixture of evergreen." 



As evergreen plants are usually shipped from a distance, the instructions of Mr. 

 Douglas in regard to handling and setting are appended : 



"When the trees are received from nurseries the boxes should be immediately un- 

 packed, and the roots dipped in a puddle made of rich mellow soil, about the thickness 

 of paint. Place them in a cool shaded place till ready to plant, and while planting 

 expose the roots as little as possible. If not ready to plant for a few days, keep the 

 roofs moist and iojis dry. Set the trees a little deeper than they stood in the nursery, 

 and tread the earth firmly about the roots when planting — this is very essential — draw- 

 ing a little loose earth r.p to the trees to prevent the surface from baking." 



Red Elm' [ Ulmu8ftth'a'\.— This tree has not received the attention it meiits from tree- 

 planters on our prairies. It is peculiarly a tree adapted to dry climates, no better 

 proof of which could be found than the fact that it fails to rijien seeds in the humid 

 air of England and France. Its special claims to attention for extended planting may 

 by briefly summed up as follows : 



(1) It is beyond all question hardy, even in the most exposed position on our prai- 

 ries. 



(2) It grows on rich soils with great rapidity. The writer has trees grown from seed 

 in six years larger than box-elder INegundo aceroides^ of the same age, and receiving 

 the same treatment. 



(3) The seeds are easy to gather in nearly every portion of the State, and require no 

 more skill in handling and planting than of the soft maple. 



(4) No tree in our whole list seems so free from disease, and injury from insects, 

 worms, &c. 



(5) No tree, not even the larch, has so large a proportion of red or heart-wood when 

 yoting. Even in the branches of young trees only one or two inches in diameter the 

 perfect wood forms the principal part. 



(()) Grown thickly in artificial groves it runs up straight and tall, and when the 

 poles are large enough to split for two rails they divide as freely and easily as young 

 chestnuts, and the rails are about as durable, even when laid up in worm-fence. 

 Nailed on to posts they will last fully as long as white oak. 



(7) When the poles are only large enough for a grape-vine stake, or a small post for 

 wire fence, if cut in summer, peeled, and dried before setting, they will last longer than 

 burr-oak, set green, from old trees. 



(8) It is a historical tree of our country, and associated with every memory of the 

 early days, without much regard to position, as it seems the one ubiquitous tree, nearly 

 everywhere present in the native forests of our country. It is among the first in the 

 spring to exhibit its blossoms and hue of cheery green, and in the autumn, with the 

 advent of the early frosts, it presents a display of shaded leaves, running from lightest 

 violet and the deepest crimson, to all shades of orange and yellow. Other things be- 

 ing equal, even beauty has a moneyed as well as iESthetic value in the arrangement of 

 the landscape view in tree planting. 



This special commendation of the red elm may be received with some doubt by those 

 who have given the matter little attention. The idea is not intended to be conveyed 

 that exclusive plantations be made of any one tree. But example and habit have joo 

 much influence iu guiding tree planting. The soft maple, for instance, has become 

 over our State the popular tree for general planting. Let us suppose the red elm has 

 become equally popular. It grows as rapidly, it is far hardier, it is freer from insect 

 ravages, it is worth far more for fuel, it is exellent for rails and even posts, its lymber 

 is valuable for stable-floors, bridge-plank, wagon-hubs, and many other uses, the trees 

 require little if any care in the way of pruning, &c. If it could supplant the maple 

 the gain would soon be very apparent. 



The seeds of the elms ripen iu May, usually before the trees come into full leaf. The 

 seeds are light, and being surrounded by a membranous wing, they are widely scattered 

 by the wind. Sow at once on gathering, and by all means sow where wanted, if possi- 

 ble. They may be planted in corn-hills to excellent advantage. They usually grow 

 about one foot in height the first season. Planting with corn is an advantage, as the 

 plants are sometimes injured when very young by direct exposure to our dry air and 

 hot sun of July and August. The p'ants' transplant readily, but if you want rapid 

 growth never break the first tap root. 



' Sonietitnea known as the slippery elm. 



36 F 



