NURSERY PRACTICE FOR PRAIRIE-PLAINS PLANTING 95 



Length of top has been shown to be relatively unimportant from 

 a survival standpoint. If trees and shrubs are top pruned, the length 

 of top should be sufficient to permit the seedling to be easily visible 

 after planting, in order to facilitate the cultivation job. It has been 

 found that a top length ranging from 10 to 20 inches is adequate. 

 Shrub species are cut back to 10 to 14 inches and tree species to ap- 

 proximately 18 inches. 



Pruning back the stock while it is still in the nursery row is preferable 

 to performing the operation after the seedlings have been tied in 

 bundles. The advantages of this method of pruning are threefold: 

 Reduction of bulk to be handled later; much greater facility in field 

 grading; material aid in tying the bundles uniformly with the root 

 collars on the same general level. 



Good results in top pruning have been obtained by using a com- 

 mercial power mower so modified that the sickle bar would run in a 

 horizontal position at any height from 10 to 20 inches. Ordinary 

 grain binders can also perforin the top pruning operation very 

 effectively and have an advantage over the mowing machine in that 

 the tops can be bundled and tied to facilitate their removal from the 

 field. Cost of top pruning is practically negligible with these ma- 

 chines. Hedge primers have also been used with equally good 

 results, but costs are higher with this hand method. 



The top-pruning operation should not take place until after the 

 seedlings have naturally defoliated, or at least until after several 

 frosts have occurred and the leaves can be readily removed by shaking 

 the plants. Translocation of food from the leaves into the stem and 

 roots takes place as long as the leaves remain securely attached to 

 the plant and their premature removal would rob the tree roots of 

 some stored food. 



SPFXIAL METHODS OF GROWING PLANTING STOCK 



The nursery methods detailed on the preceding pages, involving 

 propagation from seed, without shade, in rows from 18 to 40 inches 

 apart, will serve for most species grown for plains planting. There 

 are a few species, however, which require shade, and some which are 

 normally propagated from cuttings. A few species like cottonwood 

 need not necessarily be grown in the nursery but can be collected from 

 sandbars along streams. 



Propagation in Beds 



A few deciduous species grown for plains planting are so delicate in 

 early life that they are best grown in beds where they can be given in- 

 tensive care and can readily be protected from sun and wind. Syca- 

 more is probably the outstanding species in this group. A number of 

 other species, notably lilac and 9erviceberry. make very slow growth 

 the first year, and because of their small size require rather careful 

 handling during the entire first season. These are frequently grown 

 in beds the first year and then transplanted into the open field the 

 following spring. 



Beds may be of any convenient length, but a width of 4 feet is 

 recommended as facilitating shading and weeding. Drilled rows or 

 narrow bands spaced 6 inches apart and running lengthwise of the bed 

 are preferred. Broadcast sowing is an alternative method. 



