FORESTRY. 



C. A. KEFFEB, Superintendent. 



The season of 1891 has been favorable for forest tree growth 

 at the Experiment Station. The oldest planted plats begin to 

 assume something of the nature of trees, and to illustrate char- 

 acteristics of growth in the different species that seem to in- 

 dicate their ultimate utility in this region. Observations have 

 been made during the year upon the rate of growth of the dif- 

 ferent species, more especially with a view to determining what 

 trees will quickest form leaf canopy and thus require least cul- 

 tivation. This is a matter of supreme importance to the 

 farmer tree planter. Unlike the nurseryman, or the forester, 

 the farmer's tree planting must, in the nature of his vocation, 

 be one of many operations; and it is usually the last to receive 

 attention. In a very excellent bulletin recently issued from 

 the Forestry Division of the Department of Agriculture on 

 "What is Forestry?" Chief of Division Fernow proposes as an 

 experiment, u to simply break the sod in June, and sow millet 

 or oats thickly to make a close stand; this will secure a return 

 for the labor i f breaking. The millet should be cut with a high 

 stubble, which may bo expected to catch the winter snow, keep 

 down weed-growth, and act as a mulching the next season. 

 Plant next spring as early as possible, in trenches, without dis- 

 turbing the ground between trenches, and mot likely 



