CHAPTER XI. 
FOREST PROBLEMS IN MINNESOTA. 
The object of this chapter is to give general suggestions 
which may be applied to a variety of conditions, and not to pre- 
scribe exact treatment for any special forest problem. It has 
seemed that certain methods of treatment could be best given in 
this way. 
i. A. has a swamp covered with thrifty Black Spruce, in all 
about seventy-five acres. Last year he got 500 Christmas trees 
from it, which he sold at eight cents each. There is also some 
Tamarack and Pine on the higher land. For what trees can 
this land be used for greatest profit? How long does it take to 
grow Christmas trees? / 
Answer: If the Black Spruce are thrifty, it is a very sure 
indication that the soil is not overly wet during the summer, and 
that it is in very good shape for Tamarack or other more valua- 
ble tree. The Black Spruce is a very slow grower, and it is 
doubtful if it should be encouraged under any condition. Our 
native White Spruce grows much faster, and this would be much 
the most profitable of any of our native trees for paper pulp; 
but some studies by the Minnesota Experiment Station seem to 
show that the Norway Spruce could be grown at even greate- 
profit for paper pulp. This tree is fully as rapid a grower as the 
White Spruce, nearly as hardy, and the seed of it is much more 
easily obtained. If it is thought desirable to use this land for 
pulp wood, a small bed of spruce seedlings should be made up 
near by, in which should be sown White or Norway Spruce seed, 
and when the seedlings are three or four years old they should 
be transplanted to the swamp. It would take at least fifteen years 
to grow Black Spruce to a height of six feet for Christmas trees, 
while the Norway Spruce could probably be grown to the same 
height under same conditions in ten years. About 1,800 Christ- 
mas trees can be grown on one acre of land to a height of six 
feet and with a spread of five feet. Spruce may be grown closer 
together than most other trees for this purpose, because the 
shaded branches are not easily killed out. 
