PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 21 
THE SAGE BRUSH OF THE PLAINS. 
alrtemisia tridentata. 
To eveiyone who has crossed the plains, whether in the olden time by 
stage coach or with team and pony, or later in the modern railway train, the 
sagebrush is a familiar object, and invariably the same opinion has been 
formed, that it is a worthless creation, having no importance in the scheme of 
Nature. Possibly this may be an incorrect impression. 
The sagebrush covers the deserts of Nevada, extends into Utah and Colo- 
rado and abounds in all the plains region. 
There is absolutely no vegetation in existence but to which water is essen- 
tial for the maintenance of life. The Artemisia is one of the plants which 
will exist with a drink once a year, and that in minute quantities, yet with 
greater supply of moisture it doubles its size, attaining a height of six or seven 
feet. The foliage of sage being deciduous and abundant, the annual deposit 
of leaves, if not burned, will in time create a soil of great fertility, in which 
plants of a higher order may luxuriate. The roots penetrate deeply in search 
of moisture in the substrata, they open the earth for the action of the elements 
to make a perfect soil, and when the sands of the plains accumulate enough 
vegetable matter by the decay of leaves, roots and twigs, it is the better 
enabled to withstand droughts and support a forest growth. Where seeds are 
supplied to provide shrubs of a higher character, then step by step the advance 
is made until a forest will replace the sage. 
All forest and plant growths have an influence upon electric currents, 
winds and cloud movements, some much more than others, but all in some 
degree, U. S. scientists to the contrary notwithstanding, and by utilizing the 
sage, with other semi-arid plants, the plains country may be made productive 
in the vears to come. 
The almost continuous winds of treeless regions carry the grains of sand 
along the surface and by constantly shifting their positions, prevent the growth 
of grasses and the germination of seeds. The sage lifts the air currents from 
one to six feet above the surface and prevents the sand movement, thus en- 
abling the grasses and other plants to take root and furnish pasturage for stock. 
Its roots, going deeply and having a firm hold upon the soil, cannot be 
ora 
blown out, while without this protection grasses would be removed by heavy 
winds. 
Old plainsmen will recognize our illustration on opposite page—the menial 
squaw collects the fuel to keep the tepee warm and prepares the meal for the 
noble warrior and hunter. 
Birds are supplied with food by the seeds of the sage and grasses which 
grow under its protection, while small animals are sheltered by its foliage; 
both sheep and cattle huddle together about the sage and shrub growths seek- 
ing shelter from the storms. 
