FORESTRY MANUAL! H 



Several correspondents have admitted the value of the timber for fuel, and 

 its probable value in the near future for manufacturing and cabinet uses; 

 but complain that it does not come up to recommendation in durability for 

 posts and stakes. As with the elm, larch and Black walnut, if the posts are 

 set green, this complaint is well founded ; but if the bark is hewn off from 

 the lower ends, and from two sides above, and the posts are set up for sea- 

 soning one year, they beeome durable as post timber. The complaint is also 

 made that the caterpillars breed on these trees, making them always plenty 

 in the adjoining orchards. The outer trees in groves are troubled in this 

 way, but rarely is a nest found, only on isolated and border trees. Our fruit 

 trees near to dozens of isolated Black cherry, have been less troubled with 

 the caterpillars than orchards a mile distant from such trees, for the reason 

 that they prefer the cherry to the apple trees. 



The Black cherry produces an abundauce of fruit, while the trees are yet 

 small. Under culture, the size and quality of this fruit is much improved. 



Cherries for seed may be gathered by being shaken on to sheets or blankets ; 

 to preserve them through winter, mix thoroughly with sand, place in shal- 

 low boxes and bury slightly on north of a fence or building, or place the 

 boxes in the cellar. In the spring they germinate at a low temperature, and 

 must be planted early. They make trees far more rapidly if planted where 

 wanted, as advised for the ash ; they transplant well, but, as with most of 

 our fruit trees, much is lost in health and rapidity of growth by disturbing 

 the first tap-root. If planted in hills, put three or four pits in a place and 

 save the best plants the next spring. 



BLACK WALNUT. 



Each season we acquire new bits of experience, as guides in the labor of 

 tree-planting. 



Careful observations during the past two years in the prairie States, con- 

 vince us that the Black walnut makes most rapid and healthy growth on 

 our prairies richest in humus, and yet having a porous subsoil, so that it 

 will not suffer in extreme seasons of wet or drouth. 



Another fact in relation to its growth has become apparent, which will 

 be important for planters to remember: where blue-grass has been intro- 

 duced, it is sure to get in and ruin or sadly injure the trees when planted 

 alone in groves, unless culture be kept up more years than it is profitable. 

 This special liking of the blue-grass for the Black walnut groves results 

 from the very late period in the spring when the foliage is fully expanded, 

 giving the blue-grass such a start that it matures its seed. In Illinois this 

 has become such a drawback in the culture of this tree, that its now 

 being planted in alternate rows with some tree coming into leaf early 

 in the season. Soft maple and box-elder have been used to good advantage 

 for the alternate rows, which must be taken out in whole or in part for fuel, 

 when it is evident that they are seriously injuring the walnuts. With this 

 treatment, the walnuts will run up faster and straighter than when planted 

 alone, and they will be free from grass. 



