3 66 



This will prevent the growth of lateral branches and compel an up- 

 right growth. 



Trees in a grove to be of any value should be tall and straight. 

 By being forced to stretch up to get the light they naturally become 

 so. 



Two feet between the trees in a row is about the right dis- 

 tance at first. The rows may be far enough apart to cultivate 

 easily with a two-horse team or about eight feet. The soil should 

 be in such a shape that it may readily be cultivated. The method 

 of planting has already been described. 



Trees like the box elder, making a quick growth but being 

 short lived are used simply as nurse trees to get the others started. 

 They shade the ground quickly and in that way are a benefit to the 

 other trees. The permanent trees are those like the elm, ash and 

 basswood. Every other tree should be a nurse tree. Between 

 these the permanent trees may be distributed as suits the fancy of 

 the planter. The larger growing trees like the elm and white ash 

 should not be nearer than eight feet apart in the row. The green 

 ash makes a quicker growth than the white ash but does not con- 

 tinue it so long. It may be used as a semi-permanent tree planted 

 half way between the larger kinds. Its timber is valuable for 

 posts or fuel. 



CULTIVATION. 



While small the trees may be cultivated the same as corn with 

 an ordinary two horse cultivator. Another excellent tool for this 

 purpose is the acme harrow. This cuts about seven feet wide. It 

 is a good weed destroyer and leaves the soil well pulverized and 

 in good shape to retain the moisture. With it one can cultivate an 

 acre of trees an hour. 



Until the trees begin to shade the ground they should be cul- 

 tivated frequently, about once in ten days or two weeks and es- 

 pecially after every rain. In ordinary seasons the cultivation 

 should continue until late in the fall but in seasons of excessive 

 rainfall the cultivation may stop late in the summer to give vhe 

 wood a chance to ripen for winter. 



In dry seasons cultivation is more imperative than in wet. 

 As the trees become large enough to shade the ground, which they 

 will do very quickly if well tended, less cultivation will be re- 

 quired and after four or five years they will need but little. In 

 most cases it can be done away with entirely and a good mulch, 

 of old straw will meet all requirements. 



