g FORESTRY MANUAL. 



and his early need of poles taken from the tree plantation for various farm 

 uses, including fuel, should induce him to plant such varieties as will make 

 the most wood-growth in the shortest time. Of these are the poplars, cotton- 

 wood, Balm of Gilead and "White willow. 



COTTONWOOD. 



The Yellow and White varieties of this tree are identical, the apparent 

 varieties growing out of the different conditions of growth, the Yellow pre- 

 dominating in thickly planted groves, where the growth is slow and the 

 trees are shaded, and the White predominating where trees are grown 

 sparsely. 



In starting a grove, secure young plants from the rivers and creek bot- 

 toms where they are obtainable. If these cannot be got, take cuttings from 

 thrifty young trees ; the cuttings should be from young wood, as the roots 

 from this strike more readily. 



In making plantations, if cuttings two or three feet in length, and from 

 one to two inches in diameter be used, they will grow with more uniformity 

 and give less trouble in cultivation than small cuttings, or even small plants. 

 These cuttings should be sawed off into lengths wanted, and the lower end 

 sharpened with a keen ax, with a sloping cut all on one side. Set these cut- 

 tings by making holes with alight iron bar, in which the cuttings are driven 

 carefully with a wooden mallet ; all of the poplar and willow family of trees 

 grow best from cuttings put out in the fall, if they are set firmly and deeply. 

 Either in fall or early spring, set them where wanted as soon as a wagon 

 load of cuttings is prepared. They are much injured by lying around, even 

 for a day or two. If more convenient, the Cottonwood may be grown by the 

 million from the seed, with very little trouble. Gather the catkins in June, 

 rub them apart with the hand when ready to sow, and mix them up with 

 sand to facilitate even sowing. Put in drills on mellow, moist soil, and 

 cover not more than one inch deep : all of the willows and poplars may be 

 started in great quantity in this way where the catkins are abundant. 



Do not put cottonwood trees too near the orchard or small fruit planta- 

 tion, as they make severe drafts on the soil, both for moisture and plant-food. 



LARGE ASPEN. 



This is a tall, erect tree, covered with a smooth bark of a soft, light 

 greenish-grey color. It is a native tree in the northern part of the State, 

 but not very abundant. Where its value is known.it is used for hewing 

 sticks, for which purpose it is well adapted, where it can be kept dry. But 

 used for sills, it has proven fully as durable as pine. It is stiffer than pine, 

 and not as liable to settle under weight. It grows very straight, and retains 

 its size, making it suitable for long sticks— many houses on the Cedar River 

 were finished with this lumber in an early day. It is not liable to warp, and 

 is susceptible of a smooth finish— if dry when used it shrinks less than 

 pine. 



