Timber Planting on the Prairies and Elsewhere. 99 



localities ; the growth does not compare in size ; but more than this, 

 the tree, even in its native haunts, requires from one to two centuries to 

 bring it to perfection for lumber. In planting for profit, we require 

 something that will yield a more speedy return for our outlay. 



Samuel Edwards began planting a great variety of useful and 

 ornamental trees in Northern Illinois some twenty-five years ago, and 

 whoever will visit " The Evergreens " now, cannot fail to realize the 

 delights and the comfort pi'oduced by these plantations on the open 

 prairie ; nor can any one question the claim that is made for them as 

 being a profitable farm crop. 



Mr. Edwards has planted belts and groups, as well as masses of 

 timber. Of all his trees, the various pines, the spruces, and the 

 larches are the most promising, and have already proved the inost 

 satisfactory. 



A few days since an opportunit}' was offered for measuring some 

 fine trees planted at Springfield, Ohio, in 18=51 ; most of these are on 

 hard clay land, and have been struggling with blue-grass sod, without 

 any cultivation. The figures are given for comparison, and are the 

 diameter at one foot above the ground. 



This larch was high enough, and of sufiicient size, to make two good 

 cross ties. Another larch, in the streets of Columbus, Ohio, planted 

 about sixteen years "ago, has a diameter of inore than I2§ inches. 



These measurements show us that some kinds of timber trees will 

 grow so rapidly as to make a quick return to the farmer, and to yield a 

 paying crop, as has been demonstrated already in Illinois. 



The early planters experienced some difficulty in procuring their 

 plants : all were then imported from Europe, which involved expense, 

 delay, and risk, especially with the larch, that needs to be planted very 

 early. All this is now obviated. The great demand for seedling forest 

 trees has been answered by the enterprise of our nurserymen, and a 

 single firm on the shores of Lake Michigan is now offering millions 

 of plants. Nor is it merely a flash advertisement, but a reality, as we 



