FORESTRY OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. 43 
ENCOURAGING ENACTMENTS AND PROVISIONS. . 
The Nebraska State constitution provides that ‘the increased value 
of lands by reason of live fences, fruit and forest trees grown and cul- 
tivated thereon shall not be taken into consideration in the assessment 
thereof.” A State law ‘exempts from taxation for five years $100 valu- 
ation for each acre of fruit trees planted, and $50 for each acre of forest 
trees;” also makes it obligatory that ‘‘the corporate authorities of cities 
and villages in the State shall cause shade trees to be planted along the 
streets thereof.” 
Further: ‘‘Any person who shall injure or destroy the shade tree or 
trees of another, or permit his or her animals to do the same, shall be 
liable to a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $50 for each tree in- 
jured or destroyed.” 
To encourage growing live fences the law permits planting ‘“‘ precisely 
on the line of the road or highway, and for its protection to occupy, for 
a term of seven years, six feet of the road or highway ” 
ARBOR DAY. 
This day originated in Nebraska through action of the State Board of 
Agriculture. It is a day designated by the board during planting sea- 
son, each spring, usually about the middle of April. The board annu- 
ally award liberal premiums for the greatest number of trees, cuttings, 
and seeds permanently planted on that day. The governor annually, 
by proclamation, recognizes the day for purposes indicatea, urging the 
people to devote it exclusively to tree-planting. It is very generally 
observed, and millions of trees planted that day. 
MODES OF PLANTING AND TREATMENT. 
The usual distances apart are by multiples 4, 8, 12, 16, &c., that in- 
termediate ground may be utilized by being cultivated in other crops 
until trees are of sufficient size to protect themselves, when, in farm 
parlance, they are permitted to “‘take the ground.” 
Most experimenters at first planted tree seeds where they were tore 
main permanently. Experience has shown this a mistake, for numerous 
reasons. Principally, by this mode, uneven stand, growth, grade, size, 
and vigor are to contend with. By planting seeds first in beds, and, 
Say at one year’s growth, assorting, grading, and transplanting perma- 
nently each grade to itself, better results are secured. The same grades 
as to size and vigor do better together; grow more evenly; the weak 
are not crowded out or overshadowed by the stronger—a practical illus- 
tration of the ‘‘ survival of the fittest.” 
By this plan small plants, if healthy, do about as well in the end as 
the large. No variety is known that cannot be safely transplanted at 
one year old. Even varieties of tap-root characteristics—oaks, walnuts, 
hickories, and chestnuts—are really better, Iam convinced, for tap-root 
