PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 101 



The tract over which I was passing supplied the cross-ties for the Kansas 

 Pacific railway in i86<Jfbeing hauled in ox-carts four hundred miles into Kansas. 

 Again, a few years later, the trees which had become large enough were cut for 

 the Denver & Rio Grande and Colorado & Southern railways. The last cutting 

 was in 1884, when every tree above eight inches in diameter was removed for ties 

 and fuel. The rapidity with which the young timber has grown is marvelous 

 when the environments are considered. Many fine trees are now twelve to six- 

 teen inches in diameter and stand fairly well upon the ground. Seed has been 

 produced in abundance and groves of young trees of from six inches to six feet 

 in height are numerous where the seed has scattered in more recent years. On 

 this tract care has been used to prevent fires and the young growths are therefore 

 uninjured. 



It is interesting to note the rate of increase in this timber in nineteen years. 

 The trees eight inches in diameter were then cut for shingles ; those of larger 

 size for ties. Thus the growths which were seven inches are now twelve to 

 sixteen and upwards in diameter, probably an average of six and one-half inches 

 increase, or one inch in three years, the increased area in the nineteen-year 

 period being 3.7 times that in 1884, while the increased bulk is four times as great. 



Towards noon the clouds began to descend ; like a great fog they rolled along. 

 The temperature was reduced, being somewhat below freezing. There was no 

 rain or snow, but upon every tree and on our garments and wraps there was a 

 frosty deposit which clung with tenacity. We had some thirty miles to drive 

 through this cloud ; objects at a distance of two hundred yards were entirely 

 hidden, and at one hundred yards the trees could be seen dimly. 



The frequency of this humidity at the altitude of 7,000 feet is probably the 

 solution of the vigorous growth of the pine here, where rainfall is irregular and 

 so slight in quantity. 



Early maturing corn, small grains and potatoes give quite excellent results 

 in the parks or little prairies between the groves of pine, while a high grade of 

 grass and wild hay provides pasturage for many cattle. 



About eight cents per acre is received for pasturage during the season, but 

 where much stock grazes and tramps the forests the young growths are severely 

 injured. It is more than probable that for every dime received by the owner for 

 pasturage, there is a loss of a dollar by reason of damage to young tree growths. 



Examination of many dead trees proved them to have been killed by light- 

 ning or by former fires, since only one group of half a dozen trees showed the 

 presence of the destructive bark beetles. 



By a systematic effort at reafforestation, western Nebraska and Kansas, 

 Wyoming and eastern Colorado, could be reclothed with magnificent pines, but 

 this a matter which demands the assistance of the state and general govern- 

 ment, and only a high degree of statesmanship will cause active interest in this 

 direction. 



During the past month a more thorough study has been made of this very 

 interesting body of pine. 



The elevation is from 7,000 to 7,700 feet, Denver being 5,200 and Col- 

 orado Springs 6,000 feet. 



