152 FLOKA OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 



of expensive nursery stock, nor great labor in the cultivation of 

 the soil, nor assiduous attention to the welfare of the tree 

 territory is so well adapted to the growth of trees that it is 

 necessary only to strew seed on the ground in suitable | 

 and to keep out stock and fires, and the forest will take care of 

 itself. For this purpose seed should be gathered in considerable 

 quantity, preferably from nearby trees, and should n<>t be pei 

 mitted to become too dry. Seed maturing in spring or early 

 summer may be scattered at once if the land is ool devoid of 

 other vegetation, or it may be covered with a thin layer of sand 

 or soil in a shady place and left until fall. Seeds and fruits 

 which mature in autumn should be scattered just before the 

 leaves begin to fall. They will thus be better protected both 

 against the severity of winter, and against squirrels and chip- 

 munks. Less than one-half the seed sown in this manner will 

 germinate, and for that reason it should be scattered liberally. 

 With a little care it may be secured in abundance from native 

 or acclimated trees, practically without expense, in connection 

 with a pleasant summer or autumn outing. If a little trouble is 

 taken each year to re-seed where the stand is thin, to remove 

 rotting wood in order that it may not Bpread it- infection by 

 scattering countless spores of fungi, to trim out excessive under- 

 brush, and to protect the trees against domestic animals and 

 fires, the forest will be a vast improvement upon those which 

 the first settlers found. 



Native trees will be found most satisfactory for reforestation. 

 for as yet no introduced forest tree has demonstrated its 

 superiority over the native species. Moreover, in a county as 

 well timbered as this both quantity and variety may be secured 

 with comparative ease. En order that Borne conception of the 

 range of choice may be given, a list of the native trees 

 shrubs is here presented, the species being grouped according 

 to habitat. In selecting trees for any tract it is well that 1 

 given to the character of it- surface In order that an appropriate 

 choice may be made fron occupying similar stations 



elsew ■ 



The following I'm contain- the native tree- and shrubs of the 

 county. Their distribution, abundance, full scientific names. 



