114 FOREST CULTURE AND 



planted trees along its lines might most readily be 

 resorted to, and dangerous encroachments thereby be 

 avoided. 



No one ever expected our most serviceable Railway 

 Department to be burdened with the additional heavy 

 task of entering on cultural pursuits, and I see no 

 way of attaining the object here specially indicated 

 unless purposely financial means and administrative 

 organizations were provided by the State. 



In a special work (Z>ie Bej^flanzung der Eisenbahn 

 Damme, etc., by E. Lucas, second edition, 1870) the 

 methods adopted in Germany for utilizing the railway 

 dams, and the free space within railway fences, for 

 wood and fruit culture, is amply discussed. "With 

 the increasing value of culture-land this question of 

 utilizing the spare ground along railways becomes 

 more and more important. "Where the space proves 

 too narrow for rearing timber - trees. Hazel, Olives, 

 Figs, Mulberries, Almonds, Osiers, Sumach, Myall, 

 Bicinus, Blackberries, and such other lower trees or 

 bushes as require no great attention, could doubtless 

 be grown with profit. It might also be possible to 

 establish advantageously permanent hedges of Haw- 

 thorn, Opuntias, Osage Orange, and other not readily- 

 inflammable and easily-managed bushes. Luzern and 

 Sainfoin are much cultivated along continental rail- 

 way-lines as fodder-herbs. 



In North America six hundred and fifty Walnuts 

 or Hickories are planted on an acre ; though standing 

 so close, they are worth twelve shillings in twenty 

 years for a variety of purposes. If wanted for heavy 

 timber or puts, they are thinned out so as to keep 

 them twenty feet apart, This may serve as an indi' 



