72 report of the forestry committee 



Estimate of Returns From a Cottonwood Pi<antation. 

 Rotation 35 years. Yield per acre 29,000 ft. B. M. 



Expenses Per Acre. 



Interest on investment in land, 7% on $5 — > $48.38 



Taxes, 2c on dollar, first, $4 second, and $5 third decade 10.31 



Preparation of site and cultivation of plantation $4.25, 35 years 



at 7% - 45.60 



Planting stock and planting $4, 35 years @ 7% 42.71 



Total cost $147.00 



Returns— 29,400 ft. B. M. @ $5 per M $147.00 



A recent study shows that the greatest returns frorn cottonwood for lumber 

 production is obtained at the age of 35 years. Cottonwood is coming into favor 

 for the manufacture of paper pulp. The greatest yield of peeled pulp wood 

 per acre is at 13 years, when an average of 3.6 cords per acre per year may be 

 expected, or a total of 47 cords. At 6% the returns from a cottonwood planta- 

 tion on 13 years rotation for pulpwood are estimated as follows : 



Estimate of Returns From a Cottonwood Plantation. 



Expenses Per Acre. 



Compound Interest on land, $50 per acre, 12 years, @ 6%^___ _$50.60 

 Intial outlay (preparation of soil $2, stock $150, planting $3.50) 



$6.00, 12 years at 6% 12.07 



Cultivation and pruning $4 per year (for 2 years) $8 @ 6% 15.62 



Thinning 8 years $2, 4 years @ 6% 2.52 



Taxes 2% on one-half value, 50c per year, 12 years 6% 8.43 



Total Cost $89.34 



Returns 47 cords pulp wood at $2 per cord (stumpage) $94.00 



European larch, while pine, black walnut and black cherry, and in the south- 

 ern portion of the region, Russian mulberry, may prove profitable in commercial 

 plantations in the valleys. It is doubtful, however, whether any species but the 

 cottonwood can be profitably grown on a long rotation for lumber production. 



In forming plantations cultivation is essential during the first two to four 

 years after planting. Spacing, in general, should not exceed a distance of 6 x 6 

 feet and should not be closer than 4x6 feet, according to the species used and 

 the site conditions. Thinning should begin early and should be made every five 

 years or oftener. 



While the conditions in the Middle West are much more favorable than in 

 either the northern or the southern prairie region, the profits in planting will 

 depend very largely on the selection of the species, and the care which is given 

 the plantation. The cost of establishing a plantation is secondary to choosing 

 the right species and the proper site, since the success of the venture depends 

 largely upon the rapidity of growth. It is evident, however, that the rental of 



