CHAPTER XL 



FOREST PROBLEMS IN MINNESOTA. 



The object of this chapter is to give general suggestions 

 which may be applied to a variety of conditions, and not to pre- 

 scribe exact treatment for any special forest problem. It has 

 seemed that certain methods of treatment could be best given in 

 this way. 



I. A. has a swamp covered with thrifty Black Spruce, in all 

 about seventy-five acres. Last year he got 500 Christmas trees 

 from it, which he sold at eight cents each. There is also some 

 Tamarack and Pine on the higher land. For what trees can 

 this land be used for greatest profit? How long does it take to 

 grow Christmas trees? 



Answer: If the Black Spruce are thrifty, it is a very sure 

 indication that the soil is not overly wet during the summer, and 

 that it is in very good shape for Tamarack or other more valua- 

 ble tree. The Black Spruce is a very slow grower, and it is 

 doubtful if it should be encouraged under any condition. Our 

 native White Spruce grows much faster, and this would be much 

 the most profitable of any of our native trees for paper pulp; 

 but some studies by the Minnesota Experiment Station seem to 

 show that the Norway Spruce could be grown at even greater 

 profit for paper pulp. This tree is fully as rapid a grower as the 

 White Spruce, nearly as hardy, and the seed of it is much more 

 easily obtained. If it is thought desirable to use this land for 

 pulp wood, a small bed of spruce seedlings should be made up 

 near by, in which should be sown White or Norway Spruce seed, 

 and when the seedlings are three or four years old they should 

 be transplanted to the swamp. It would take at least fifteen years 

 to grow Black Spruce to a height of six feet for Christmas trees, 

 while the Norway Spruce could probably be grown to the same 

 height under same conditions in ten years. About 1,800 Christ- 

 mas trees can be grown on one acre of land to a height of six 

 feet and with a spread of five feet. Spruce may be grown closer 

 together than most other trees for this purpose, because the 

 shaded branches are not easily killed out. 



