ii 9 



Near this cow-barn is the commodious farm-house, with 

 its accompanying buildings, and the older barn which is 

 used on the main floor for team-horses, implements and 

 vehicles, with the hay above. 



Here we were met by Mrs. Phillips who accompanied 

 the party during their inspection of the competing plan- 

 tation, and gave them the necessary information in regard 

 to the previous condition of the grounds, its planting, 

 and the cultivation and care bestowed upon the trees since. 



It is difficult for Mrs. Phillips to give from record 

 a statement of every fact in regard to the plantation as 

 the trees were " not set out with any idea of entering them 

 for premiums," but she has answered the questions, which 

 the Chairman sent to her, quite fully and clearly. 



It must be remembered that there were three plantings, 

 each of which is referred to separately. 



Ten year old trees : — Were bought in 1883 of Mr Rob- 

 ert Douglass, Waukegan, 111. ; were three years old when 

 they came, and were then planted out in a nursery. In 

 1886 they were transplanted to their present location. 



Immediately before planting the land had been in grass 

 for one year. Previous to that time grain had been raised 

 on it for a couple of years. 



It was ploughed in the fall of 1885 and harrowed, and 

 the trees were set out the following May, four feet apart 

 each way. The soil, poor and gravelly, was cultivated 

 between the trees by horse power twice in the season, and 

 weeds pulled twice by hand. 



Mrs. Phillips cannot state just how many had been planted 

 out, as many have been transplanted to different parts of 

 the place, but none of them have died. Perhaps fifteen 

 thousand. 



Six and seven year old trees : — Were ordered from the 

 same Mr. Douglass in 1886 to the number of fourteen 

 thousand white pines. They were a long time on the way, 

 owing to being sent by freight instead of by express,' which 

 may be the reason that nearly one-half died, which were 

 replaced the following year. 



