134 SOUTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 



while young at least, and several shoots spring from near the 

 ground, necessitating careful pruning in order to get one straight 

 trunk. 



This pruning is troublesome and requires considerable time, 

 making the cultivation of the species more expensive than box 

 elder. In the northern part of the State silver maple is not 

 hard}- and should not be planted. It is comparatively free from 

 insect enemies. It is as good for sugar making as box elder and 

 rather better for fuel. When a grove of only one rapid growing 

 species is desired, soft maple will prove useful in the southern 

 part of the state, but north of Brookings county its cultivation, 

 save in favored localities, will not prove profitable. 



SLOWER GROWING VARITIES Green Ash (Fraximus viridis) 

 This tree has been more uniformly successful in prairie planta- 

 tions than any other. When planted among box elder it equals 

 that tree in height at the end of seven years, and there after is 

 the more rapid grower of the two. It is best planted with box 

 elder, as it does not make a dense shade, and when planted alone 

 weeds and grass will materially check the growth of the trees. 

 Green ash wood is only second to white ash in value for repairs 

 about the farm. As the tree is native here it will probably suc- 

 ceed better under cultivation than white ash, which is rarely 

 found native in South Dakota, unless in ;the extreipe south- 

 eastern part of the State. It does not grow as large as white ash 

 but reaches small saw-log size. The great value of the tree 

 seems to be in its ability to withstand heat and drouth. In this 

 vicinity the ash tree borer is becoming very common. It works 

 in the trunks of the trees, and so weakens them that the winds 

 break them down. It will probably be less troublesome in mixed 

 plantations than in isolated trees or groves composed exclusively 

 of ash. 



WHITE ELM (Ulmus Americana). The white elm seems to 

 have fewer insect enemies than any of our native trees, and as it 

 succeeds in both high and low lands it should be extensive!}' 

 planted. Trees in the mixed plantation at the Station have on 

 the average made a better growth than green ash. While young 

 the elm has a tendency toward forked branching, but if the trees 

 are set close one of the branches usually gets the start of the 



