26 FORESTRY MANUAL. 



thoroughly settle the dirt about the roots. If. it is dry, fill in more dry dirt 

 and tramp it hard that it may be firmly pressed on every part of the roots 

 for the roots must have the privilege of absorbing water, and every part of 

 the bark of the roots will absorb where the moist earth comes in contact 

 with it. 



After the trees are set, mulch or cover the surface with any sort of litter, 

 leaving earth on them to prevent blowing away. If drouth comes in sum- 

 mer, water ; but do not slop a little water on top of the ground, it is the roots 

 of the tree that need the water; dig the earth away until you get near the 

 roots, then pour in water enough to wet the ground thoroughly a foot distant 

 around and beneath the roots, then fill in the earth and cover with mulch, 

 and it will last a long time, and usually save the life of the tree twid con- 

 tribute greatly to its growth. 



A few notes on the relative growth of well known species on my grounds 

 may be useful. They are the results of actual measurement with line and 

 pole, on March 6th, 1879: 



Hardy catalpa, 22 years from seed, height 35 to41 feet, diameter 15 to 16>£ 

 inches. 



Black cherry, transplanted from woods, 20 years' growth, height 40 feet, 

 diameter 11 inches. 



Sugar maple, transplanted from woods, 20 years' growth, height 20 feet, 

 diameter 14J^ inches. 



Soft maple, transplanted, 20 years' growth, height 35 feet, diameter 16 

 inches. 



Chestnut, from seed, 24 years' growth, height 30 to 39 feet, diameter 10 to 

 16J^ inches. 



Hardy catalpa, from seed, 4 years' growth, height 10 to 12 feet, diameter 3 

 to 5 inches. 



White pine, 2 year seedlings, growth 24 years, height 50 feet, diameter 

 19 inches. 



Norway spruce, 4 year seedlings, growth 20 years, height 34 feet, diameter 

 13 inches. 



European larch, 1 year seedlings, growth 10 years, height 20 to 30 feet, 

 diameter 4 to 1)4, inches. 



Scotch pine, 2 year seedlings, growth 20 years, height 30 feet, diameter 16 

 inches. 



Austrian pine grows much like the Scotch, but more stocky, not quite as 

 tall, is deeper green in color and a more beautiful tree. 



The larger catalpas have stood on rather poor, hard soil, and have not had 

 as good culture as the four-year-old trees. As to the two varieties, Hardy 

 and Tender, myself and foreman were looking at them to-day, and we could 

 not attempt to distinguish one from the other by the appearance of the bark 

 and twigs. The hardy one grows thriftiest, and its time of blooming here 

 is from 5th to 15th of June; while the tender kind blooms from two to 

 three weeks later, the flowers of the early variety all dropping before a 

 flower of the other has opened. The hardy variety has a larger and whiter 

 flower, and the seed-pods are much longer and less numerous. 



