TREES FOR DRY-FARMING 253 



Of this last tree Aaronsohn says that twenty trees to 

 the acre, under a rainfall of twelve inches, will pro- 

 duce 8000 pounds of fruit containing 40 per cent of 

 sugar and 7 to 8 per cent of protein. This sur- 

 passes the best harvest of alfalfa. Kearnley, who 

 has made a special study of dry-land olive culture in 

 northern Africa, states that in his belief a large va- 

 riety of fruit trees may be found which will do well 

 under arid and semiarid conditions, and may even 

 yield more profit than the grains. 



It is also said that many shade and ornamental 

 and other useful plants can be grown on dry-farms ; 

 as, for instance, locust, elm, black walnut, silver poplar, 

 catalpa, live oak, black oak, yellow pine, red spruce, 

 Douglas fir, and cedar. 



The secret of success in tree growing on dry-farms 

 seems to lie, first, in planting a few trees per acre, — 

 the distance apart should be twice the ordinary dis- 

 tance, — and, secondly, in applying vigorously and 

 unceasingly the established principles of soil cultiva- 

 tion. In a soil stored deeply with moisture and 

 properly cultivated, most plants will grow. If the 

 soil has not been carefully fallowed before planting, it 

 may be necessary to water the young trees slightly 

 during the first two seasons. 



Small fruits have been tried on many farms with 

 great success. Plums, currants, and gooseberries 

 have all been successful. Grapes grow and yield well 

 in many dry-farm districts, especially along the warm 

 foothills of the Great Basin. 



