34 Eleventh Annual Report 



have been abandoned because they are so badly eroded that at 

 present they can not be profitably farmed. Even grass will not 

 grow on them, because the top soil has all been washed off, and now 

 briars and bushes are taking possession. 



This article is to remind owners of such property that the only 

 way to reclaim eroded land is to plant forest trees on it. Forest 

 trees will stop the washing and soon grow into money. Remember 

 that a guillied field on a farm depreciates the value of the re- 

 mainder of the farm. 



The kind of trees to plant would be black locust, ash or yellow 

 poplar, and seedlings may be bought for $2 to $5 per thousand. 

 The trees should be planted in the spring, before the rush of 

 spring work begins. If you have a gullied field, decide now to 

 save it. If you are not certain as to what kind of trees to plant, 

 or where to buy the seedlings to the best advantage, write the 

 State Forester, Indianapolis, Indiana, for information and printed 

 literature, who will be glad to assist you. 



Issued December 16, 1910. 



[Press Bulletin No. 15.] 

 SAVE THE BANKS. 



Save the banks of your ravines, creeks and rivers by encour- 

 aging grass, shrubs and trees to grow on them. Where you find 

 the bank of a stream perpendicular you will usually find a tree 

 on its top which protects it until the support beneath is washed 

 away, when it tumbles to a watery grave. This reminds us that 

 our streams are ever increasing in width, and many of us can recall 

 when the> fence stood a rod closer to the center of the stream. 



The same may be said of the banks of deep cuts along high- 

 ways and railroads. If there is a bluegrass sod on top the bank 

 it will be perpendicular for six to twelve inches, and the nude 

 roots form a miniature ledge, which is sufficient to show the value 

 of bluegrass as a soil binder. If it is not desirable to plant shrubs 

 and trees on the roadside banks, sow the slopes with bluegrass 

 seed, and scatter cornstalks on it, which may be prevented from 

 washing away by weighing them down with pieces of old rails, 

 brush, etc. When the bluegrass is well set the wash will be 

 stopped. 



The banks of creeks and rivers may be best protected by plant- 

 ing willows at the base. At the top white ash, black walnut, oaks 

 and hickories may be planted, choosing the species best adapted 



