ESTABLISHING NEW FORESTS. 83 



answer the same purpose as that of many superior kinds 

 that can be readily produced in the same region of 

 country, and under the same natural conditions. Some of 

 .the species of poplar known as the cotton-woods have 

 been extensively planted in the States west of the Missis- 

 sippi, and while the trees grow rapidly in hight, they 

 do not spread out and assume a sturdy, stocky habit, 

 such as is needed to effectually resist the force of prevail- 

 ing winds. If planted thinly and each tree given 

 abundant room with an occasional cutting back of the 

 leading shoots, they would serve the purpose better, but 

 as I have seen them planted in hundreds of instances, 

 with no thinning out or heading back, the plantation in 

 a few years had more the appearance of a collection of 

 hop-poles than anything else, and usually they lean over 

 to the east, or south-east, at such an acute angle that 

 there is no mistaking the point of compass from which 

 the wind blows most persistently if not continuously in 

 those regions. 



While the poplars and willows have, no doubt, served 

 a good purpose, and may still be employed for screens 

 and timber belts to a limited extent, they ought never to 

 be recommended for anything more than temporary 

 plantations, or to foster better kinds. There can be no 

 reasonable excuse in these days for planting inferior 

 kinds of trees, because it costs really no more to raise 

 the best from seed — dig up from the woods, or procured 

 from the nurseries — than it does to handle or purchase 

 the poorest. In all cases I would advise planting young 

 trees or cuttings in ground that had been broken up at 

 least one year before being used, and the planting in all 

 cold climates should be done in spring. The more care- 

 fully the ground is prepared for the reception of the 

 plants the better, and the strongest and most hardy 

 should be placed in such a position that they will protect 

 the weaker and tenderer kinds. .Each species of tree, as 



