322 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION, 
on the plains, but there may be others, which ifintroduced, would succeed 
at least equally well. The various species of spruce and pine, though not 
occurring naturally on the prairie region, if they will grow there, would 
form efficient wind-breaks. Among other trees particularly suitable, may 
be mentioned the various species of poplars and willows, which have 
the advantage of being easily propagated by cuttings, where the soil 
is at all damp in spring; and also the ash-leaved maple. All these are 
trees of rapid growth. For low ground or the borders of sloughs and 
coulées, elms suggest themselves as a valuable addition; and to secure 
the permanence of woods when once established, oaks—of which several 
species would no doubt succeed—birch, and other hard-wood_ trees, 
should be planted among the poplars and maples, and when these are 
failing, will still be in their first vigorous growth. It has also been 
argued with much show of reason, that to produce the greatest amount 
of wood, and timber of real practical utility, suited to fencing, and 
other needs of the settler, the trees should be planted much closer 
together than suggested by the Nebraska law. ‘They then support 
«.ch other better against the boisterous winds of the prairie, and 
form clean long sticks, which can be thinned out as occasion requires, 
It has also been pointed out by Mr. Hodges that they shade the 
ground when thickly planted, and prevent the growth of grass from 
interfering with them. 
752. From facts already stated it will be seen that the growth of 
trees of fair. size is not necessarily the work of a great many 
years, especially if some care be given them, and ploughing about their 
roots attended to while young. The wood cut out in thinning a few 
acres, will, after a few years, serve the farmer for fuel, which if counted 
at the current rates, will in a short time pay the cost of planting and 
attention. The settler then finds himself with a valuable area of wood- 
land, worth perhaps $100 to $200 per acre. When it once becomes 
well understood that the growth of timber trees from the seed, is as 
certain as that of any other crop, and that they require a comparatively 
small amount of cultivation, it will cease to be necessary to induce the 
settler to plant and care for them. 
II. Economy in the use of Wood should be observed 
753. This must be done for the most part indirectly, by popularizing 
substitutes for this material. For building purposes, where wood is 
scarce it has only to be shown that itis possible to make concrete or ar- 
tificial stone from some of the gravels of the district ; which will make 

a ae 
