24 FORESTRY MANUAL. 



The trees, all larch, were of proper size for medium telegraph poles, and 

 stood from six to eight feet apart on an average. 



"We have, in Iowa, settled down to the theory and practice of very close 

 planting; viz., three and one-half to four feet apart. This is considered a 

 good practice, but we shall all probably err in leaving the tre.es all to grow 

 longer than they should before we commence thinning. Planters will do 

 well to make a note here in their book of remembrance. 



I herewith give measurements of several of the species which were 

 planted by me ten years ago. I give the diameters, measured one foot above 

 the surface of the ground. The plants were all about one foot high when 

 planted.' These figures are about what may be expected when trees are 

 grown for timber. Isolated trees, or single rows, under favorable circum- 

 stances, are, and can be, grown to double the size here given: White maple, 

 diameter 8 inches, height 30 feet ; ash, 4% inches, height 29 feet ; Abele or 

 Silver poplar, 9 inches, height 30 feet ; Black walnut, 5 inches, height 20 feet ; 

 Black cherry, 6 inches, height 28 feet; Catalpa, 6 inches, height 25 feet; 

 White pine, 5 inches, height 10 feet ; Scotch pine, 6 inches, height 21 feet ; 

 Cottonwood, 9 inches, height 35 feet ; Ash-Leaved maple, h% inches, height 

 27 feet ; butternut, 5 inches, height 20 feet ; chestnut (nine-year old, from 

 seed), i% inches, height 20 feet ; elm. i% inches, height 25 feet. 



Of the evergreens for timber or wind-break, I would much prefer to grow 

 the Scotch pine. It is most rapid in growth and also the best able to stand 

 all the extremes of our climate (excepting the Austrian pine), and makes 

 valuable timber. The White pine may be equally valuable where the air is 

 more humid, but our air of the Missouri Valley is hard on it when young, 

 yet it can be grown if well sheltered from wind by other trees. 



So far the Black cherry has not received the attention that it merits. 

 It grows rapidly, the lumber for finishing work is highly prized, 

 the fruit is valuable for the birds, and the wood is valuable for fuel and very 

 many farm uses. In these degenerate days, when everything we buy is adul- 

 terated, we should plant more Sugar maple. The more independent each fam- 

 ily may become, the better will it be prepared for famine, pestilence, peace 

 or war. The Silver poplar is a good tree for the lazy man, for it will grow 

 up as fast as he can cut it down, without the trouble of replanting. I have 

 what I have supposed to be the hardiest catalpa, but it has not proved hardy 

 enough to withstand all the vicissitudes of our climate. It is possible that 

 repeated planting of seed may finally acclimate this beautiful and valuable 

 tree. I am not an enthusiast in the culture of any particular species, but 

 recommend planters to use many kinds, all of which have value, some, per- 

 haps, for the immediate benefit of the planter, and some for the generations 

 that may come after him. 



