PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE IOI 
The tract over which I was passing supplied the cross-ties for the Kansas 
Pacific railway in 1869, being hauled in ox-carts four hundred miles into Kansas. 
Again, a few years later, the trees which had become large enough were cut for 
the Denver & Rio Grande and Colorado & Southern railways. The last cutting 
was in 1884, when every tree above eight inches in diameter was removed for ties 
and fuel. The rapidity with which the young timber has grown is marvelous 
when the environments are considered. Many fine trees are now twelve to six- 
teen inches in diameter and stand fairly well upon the ground. Seed has been 
produced in abundance and groves of young trees of from six inches to six feet 
in height are numerous where the seed has scattered in more recent years. On 
this tract care has been used to prevent fires and the young growths are therefore 
uninjured. 
It is interesting to note the rate of increase in this timber in nineteen years. 
The trees eight inches in diameter were then cut for shingles; those of larger 
size for ties. Thus the growths which were seven inches are now twelve to 
sixteen and upwards in diameter, probably an average of six and one-half inches 
increase, or one inch in three years, the increased area in the nineteen-year 
period being 3.7 times that in 1884, while the increased bulk is four times as great. 
Towards noon the clouds began to descend; like a great fog they rolled along. 
The temperature was reduced, being somewhat below freezing. There was no 
rain or snow, but upon every tree and on our garments and wraps there was a 
frosty deposit which clung with tenacity. We had some thirty miles to drive 
through this cloud; objects at a distance of two hundred yards were entirely 
hidden, and at one hundred yards the trees could be seen dimly. 
The frequency of this humidity at the altitude of 7,000 feet is probably the 
solution of the vigorous growth of the pine here, where rainfall is irregular and 
so slight in quantity. 
Early maturing corn, small grains and potatoes give quite excellent results 
in the parks or little prairies between the groves of pine, while a high grade of 
grass and wild hay provides pasturage for many cattle. 
About eight cents per acre is received for pasturage during the season, but 
where much stock grazes and tramps the forests the young growths are severely 
injured. It is more than probable that for every dime received by the owner for 
pasturage, there is a loss of a dollar by reason of damage to young tree growths. 
Examination of many dead trees proved them to have been killed by light- 
ning or by former fires, since only one group of half a dozen trees showed the 
presence of the destructive bark beetles. 
By a systematic effort at reafforestation, western Nebraska and Kansas, 
Wyoming and eastern Colorado, could be reclothed with magnificent pines, but 
this a matter which demands the assistance of the state and general govern- 
ment, and only a high degree of statesmanship will cause active interest in this 
direction. 
During the past month a more thorough study has been made of this very 
interesting body of pine. 
The elevation is from 7,000 to 7,700 feet, Denver being 5,200 and Col- 
orado Springs 6,000 feet. 
