KOCKY UOUHTAIH EVEKGREENS. Bt 



toga. I think in eastern Nebraska you can raise these trees as 

 rapidly as they can a forest of Fines in Michigan. 



Doubtless in reforesting the waste lands of Minnesota this 

 tree would be eminently satisfactory. Its hearty, healthy and 

 rapid growth must make it a favorite. Often in the mountains 

 you see those of glauca or silver type making them look much 

 like the Silver Pungens. If you plant a thousand of these trees 

 yo»» would be delighted at the various forms and color. 



Pinus Ponderosa. The Pinus Ponderosa has several 

 names — Pinus Engelmani, Pinus Parryana, Pinus Jeffreryi. 

 It is also called Yellow Pine, Bull Pine, Long-Leaved Pine, 

 Heavy Wooded Pine and Montana Black Pine. 



It is one of the most rugged, robust and hardy of all the 

 Pine family. Under cultivation it is rery thrifty. It will not 

 do as well in eastern Nebraska as in the western portions and 

 In the Atlantic states it is a failure. 



This tree belongs to Nebraska. It grows on the bare hills 

 In the northwestern parts of the state. Tou will find it perch- 

 ed like the cliff dwellers on high, barren bluffs where nothing 

 else will grow, to get out of the way of the prairie fires. Had 

 it not been for these fires it would ere this have taken pos- 

 session of the sand hills. Some years ago the government 

 did some experimental planting in the hills and got some Pon- 

 derosa seedlings which I raised in the western part of the state, 

 and they were found well adapted to the sands. This tree must 

 be our main reliance for the sand hills and plains. It is a. na- 

 tive. It will resist the extremes of heat and cold. 



The last time I went to the Black Hills, out on the plains 

 in a gorge, on a shelf of disintegrated rock, with no vegetation 

 around it, I saw a lone Ponderosa. There it stood like an em- 

 blem of hope on the desolate plains. It had survived because 

 no grass could grow near It to Invite the fires. It plainly said: 

 "See what can be done. A bird dropped me here and here 

 I have stood for years with hardly anything to live on. I 

 have defied drouth, heat and cold, all alone and unprotected. 

 Now turn up the soil, prepare the ground, give us a chance 

 »nd we will show yuu what can be done." 



I have been much impressed with the almost human Intel- 

 tigence of these trees. Tou go Into the mountains when the 

 ground Is very dry and you will see a grove of them turning 

 fellow and you say, "I think they have caught it now, and even 

 these hardy trees roust succumb to the drouth." 



But, no! Look a little mor« closely and they are dropping 

 half their needles for there is not moisture enough to carry the 

 whole. Had there been plenty of rain no such economy would 

 have been needed. One fall when it had been very dry and 

 all the groves were turning yellow and adjusting themselves 

 to the conditions, I noticed som» trees veiry green and vigorous. 

 There was no water within 210 feet Having occasion to dig 



