alternate with those in the next row. A single row of pines, 

 for example, with trees ten or twelve feet apart, and abun- 

 dant room on either side, will retain their lower limbs in- 

 definitely, while if several rows are set too close the lower 

 limbs will soon be crowded out and the best part of the wind- 

 break will be up too high. 



But a single row may be considered inadequate as it does 

 not provide for the accidental loss of a tree, hence for pines, 

 rows at least twenty feet apart with trees ten feet apart will 

 provide for some years of growth, and further apart will be 

 still better. However, closer planting in the row is all right 

 if the planter has the courage to thin out the superfluous trees 

 promptly before they crowd in the least. But the thin- 

 ning of evergreens, fruit trees, shrubs, and other plants set 

 too close at first, is usually neglected till it is too late. 



Evergreens in the Black Hills. 



The magnificent forests of pine and spruce that cover the 

 Black Hills in the south-western part of South Dakota are the 

 glory of that region. Long ago the dark green evergreen 

 mantle of beauty which clothed these rocky summits caused 

 our predecessors, the Indians, to name them the Black Hills. 

 Hitherto, the difficulty of access has made this picturesque 

 region more popular with Nebraskans than with eastern 

 South Dakotans; but the new railroad lines now nearly 

 completed will make it easier of access. After having 

 traveled extensively in three continents, Europe, Asia and 

 North America, the writer must say that in picturesque 

 beauty, some of the scenery in the Black Hills is the peer of 

 any, and eminently worthy of the artist's brush. More and 

 more these wild fern and flower filled glens and rugged con- 

 ifer-clad summits will attract the tourist and others in search 

 of health, rest, and beautiful scenery. 



In a brief trip through the Hills in the summer of 1904, 

 the writer saw much of the extensive pine and spruce for- 

 ests but had no opportunity to take photographs. It is high 

 time for our prairie planters to realize that we have a pine 



