TACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 21 



THE SAGE BRUSH OF THE PLAINS. 



Artemisia tridcntata. 



To everyone who has crossed the plains, whether in the olden time by 

 stage coach or with team and pony, or later in the modern railway train, the 

 sagebrush is a familiar object, and invariably the same opinion has been 

 formed, that it is a worthless creation, having no importance in the scheme of 

 Nature. Possibly this may be an incorrect impression. 



The sagebrush covers the deserts of Nevada, extends into Utah and Colo- 

 rado and abounds in all the plains region. 



There is absolutely no vegetation in existence but to which water is essen- 

 tial for the maintenance of life. The Artemisia is one of the plants which 

 vill exist with a drink once a year, and that in minute quantities, yet with 

 greater supply of moisture it doubles its size, attaining a height of six or seven 

 feet. The foliage of sage being deciduous and abundant, the annual deposit 

 of leaves, if not burned, will in time create a soil of great fertility, in which 

 plants of a higher order may luxuriate. The roots penetrate deeply in search 

 of moisture in the substrata, they open the earth for the action of the elements 

 to make a perfect soil, and when the sands of the plains accumulate enough 

 vegetable matter by the decay of leaves, roots and twigs, it is the better 

 enabled to withstand droughts and support a forest growth. Where seeds are 

 supplied to provide shrubs of a higher character, then step by step the advance 

 is made until a forest will replace the sage. 



All forest and plant growths have an influence upon electric currents, 

 winds and cloud movements, some much more than others, but all in some 

 degree, I'. S. scientists to the contrary notwithstanding, and by utilizing the 

 sage, with other semi-arid plants, the plains country may be made productive 

 in the years to come. 



The almost continuous winds of treeless regions carry the grains of sand 

 along the surface and by constantly shifting their positions, prevent the growth 

 of grasses and the germination of seeds. The sage lifts the air currents from 

 one to six feet above the surface and prevents the sand movement, thus en- 

 abling the grasses and other plants to take root and furnish pasturage for stock. 



Its roots, going deeply and having a firm hold upon the soil, cannot be 

 blown out, while without this protection grasses would be removed by heavy 

 winds. 



Old plainsmen will recognize our illustration on opposite page the menial 

 squaw collects the fuel to keep the tepee warm and prepares the meal for the 

 noble warrior and hunter. 



Birds are supplied with food by the seeds of the sage and grasses which 

 grow under its protection,, while small animals are sheltered by its foliage; 

 both sheep and cattle huddle together about the sage and shrub growths seek- 

 ing shelter from the storms. 



