CHAPTER VI. 
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PRACTICABILITY OF RAISING TIMBER. 
The idea once common in the West, that as no trees 
were found upon the prairies, some natural incapacity 
for their production existed in the soil, has long since 
been exploded. Whatever may have been the origin 
of the prairies, experience has demonstrated that 
wherever the ravages of fire and pasturage by animals 
are prevented, young trees speedily spring up. Cornel 
and Sumach bushes, the Wild Crab and Wild Plum 
are usually the first to appear. These are followed 
by the Elm, Wild Cherry, and other trees with light 
seeds, which may be carried by the wind or transported 
by birds. 
Mr. Marsh expresses the decided opinion that many 
parts even of the deserts of Asia and Africa would 
soon be covered with trees, if it were possible to 
prevent their destruction while small by the camels 
and goats of the wandering tribes. Where Nature, 
left undisturbed to her own operations, produces trees 
with facility, their cultivation by man cannot be 
difficult. Except in parts of the country which are 
