D0): FORESTRY OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. 
EXTENT OF TREE PLANTING AND GROWING. 
But little tree-planting was done in Nebraska, and by reason of an- 
nual fires sweeping very generally over the country spontaneous - 
growth was exceedingly meager, for at least ten years after organiza- 
tion of the Territory, and first efforts by settlers to improve and develop. 
To cover all the ground and afford a more satisfactory presentation of 
the subject-matter under consideration, commencement is made with 
date of passage of Kansas-Nebraska act, 1854. From that time up to 
and including the year 1882, covering a period of twenty-eight years, 
official statistics, with some reliable estimates to cover dates not thus 
provided, it is found there has been planted within the borders of what 
is now the State of Nebraska 244,356 acres of forest trees. This in- 
cludes seedlings, seeds, and cuttings planted in permanent forests, 
groves, and along highways and streets in cities and villages. Spon- 
taneous indigenous growth, since fires have been kept from borders of 
streams and ravines, is estimated equal to half the area planted. 
Personal observation would warrant a larger proportion. Not a few 
informants contend for an equal extent; some higher, even to double. 
James T. Allan, Omaha, ex-secretary American Forestry Association, 
now in employ of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, traveling exten- 
Sively over the State, responding to inquiries on this particular point, 
writes: “I have watched the spontaneous growth of young elms, wal- 
nuts, oaks, ash, hickories, &c., along the Missouri, Wood, and cther 
rivers in the West, since fires have been kept back, and seen their 
growth among the hazel brush, which is the fringe on the border of 
native timber, dividing it from the prairie. I hardly think I am out of 
the way in setting it at double the amount of timber planted.” 
A majority, however, in various parts of the State, place the estimate 
as stated—at one-half. 
It is safe to say a majority of planting is made, originally, four feet 
by four, with view to cutting out first one-half, as growth demands 
space, and eventually another half of that remaining—three-fourths in 
all. Some plant six by six, others eight by eight. Planted four by 
four we have 2,622 trees to the acre, or a total of 640,701,432; eight 
by eight, 682 to the acre, or a total of 166,680,792. Average the totals, 
and there is shown 403,676,112. Add to the average the spontaneous 
estimate, one-half, and the grand total is, planted and grown in 28 years, 
605,514,168 trees. 
The number of trees per acre, spontaneous growth, will more than 
equal one-half the acreage planted. It is estimated one-fourth of the 
trees, seeds, and cuttings planted did not grow, and therefore not now 
occupying the ground. Spontaneous growth, except where the weak 
have been crowded out by the strong, and such as may have been 
destroyed by occasional fires, it may be said all are growing. 
