176 PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 



or in some cases the seed, it would be possible at small cost to afforest much 

 of this plains region but common sense must be used in the selection of plants 

 suited to such conditions. 



Young trees which strike root quickly, and grow rapidly, should be set among 

 the Yuccas at such distance as will ensure a permanent forest growth. After 

 a few years, oak and other more valuable trees may be established by seeding. 

 Various pines are used in such locations, but as soil is made with the gradual 

 admixture of leaves, decaying roots and twigs with the sand, white pine and nu- 

 merous trees of value will be secured by supplying the seed. 



THE RED CEDAR FOR SNOW GUARDS. 



We gave an illustration of snow fences for protecting railway cuts from 

 snow drifts, and explained how the wind was thrown into whirls and caused to de- 

 posit the snow upon the lee of such obstructions. The height of the obstacle gov- 

 erns the distance from its base at which the snow will be deposited. The great 

 expense of maintaining wooden fences for this purpose would suggest some other 

 and more durable substitute than boards. 



A living hedge, which could be kept at a regular height, and which could be 

 successfully grown in arid locations and high altitudes, as well as in moist regions, 

 would be a desirable acquisition. 



Some of the cretageus thorns may well be used in some moister locations, such 

 as in Central Nebraska, and eastward to New England. The dwarf oak might 

 be utilized in portions of the Rocky Mountains. 



Probably the best plant for this purpose for almost all situations is the red 

 cedar, or juniper, planted in hedges at proper distance from the track. 



Some score of years ago the Burlington road attempted to control the snow 

 by planting deciduous trees. This was all right for a while, but as the trees in- 

 creased in height the snow was thrown into the cuts, causing much additional 

 trouble in clearing the tracks. 



The cedar is a kindly plant, easily transplanted, grows almost everywhere, 

 and may be pruned into any desirable shape, being easily kept at the height of a 

 fence or hedge. 



I do not consider that there is more than one variety of the tree now under 

 consideration, Jnnipcrous Virghuuna. or red cedar, yet there are many forms, 

 changed probably by locality. In Maine and New England the trees assume an 

 upright, slender habit, some of them being like a Lombardy poplar in form. Sim- 

 ilarly, many on the Hudson river are very erect. 



In the mountains and craigs of Tennessee and Southern Kentucky the cedar 

 makes a much larger tree is spreading, irregular and much branched. On the 

 slopes of the Rockies it shows very great age, yet is dwarfed, spreading, with short 

 trunk. 



In Kansas and Nebraska, in better soils, it grows thriftily, and differs from 

 both Tennessee and eastern shapes, being rounded and regular. 



In the Garden of the Gods it takes on a silvery color, as do many Colorado 

 conifers. 



Nursery-grown evergreens, with compact roots, may be readily transplanted, 



