256 “The Plains” of Michigan. be 
system. Still, in order to attain the best results, by whichis 
meant the greatest return of timber in the shortest time, it willbe 
found necessary, over much of this territory, to resort to planting. 
This is especially true of the plains where most of the species now l 
growing cannot be expected to yield a timber product nearlyas 
valuable as would be derived from the planting of other and better | 
kinds of trees. As soon, therefore, as any serious attempt is made _ 
to rehabilitate the denuded pine regions of the State, it will be 
necessary to know what species can be successfully grown there 
that will, at the same time, produce most rapidly, and witha ‘ 
minimum of expense, the most profitable returns. At present 
very few sources of information upon this important practical 
part of the subject are avallable. With the exception of what has 
been done on the grounds of the State Agricultural College # 
Lansing, no provision has been made for determining by actual trial q 
what species are most available for planting, and conclusions — 
based upon the results of experiments there may prove entirely 
misleading when applied to regions situated from one to two- 
degrees farther north, with widely different conditions not only of 
climate but also of soil. : 
In carrying out a purpose to gather all the information now {0 | 
be obtained on this subject, a visit was made by the writer, in he 
summer of 1882, to the experimental plantations of Messrs: 
Douglass & Sons; on the beach sands of Lake Michigan, 
Waukegan, Ill. At this place the climatic conditions are deci¢ 
less favorable than those prevailing over a large part of the 
peninsula of Michigan, the burning heat of summer and 
severe cold of winter reach greater extremes, and the soil Is 
the poorest quality, yet, under these most unfavorable condit 
a young forest of valuable timber trees has been created 
under the intelligent management of the proprietors, there ao 
reason to expect most favorable results from the experiment. 
The trees that have been planted most extensively are the while 
pine, Scotch pine, European larch, hardy Catalpa and Au 
pine. A few other kinds have been planted but without 
factory results further than to prove that they are not adapted . 
_ the situation. The Scotch and white pines have made ah 
growth and, though in many cases when set out they ™ 
E take this opportunity to acknowledge the courtesy of Messrs. Douglass 
and the information kindly given me while at their nurseries last summet. 
» 
