FORES’RY OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. 24 
SUITABLE VARIETIES. 
It has been decided what trees grow best in the prairie States, and 
a hundred tree planters selected from different localities in the States 
and Territories. embraced in this report would, if called upon, report 
the same varieties. They are the ash, black walnut, box elder, cotton- 
wood, honey locust, Osage orange, silver maple, catalpa, Russian mul- 
berry, white elm, and gray willow. It is not to be understood that no 
other forest trees will grow; many other trees are indigenous; but it is 
to be understood that where a selection is to be made these trees are 
most available. In selecting others the chances of losing time and 
money are increased. 
PROPER METHODS OF CULTIVATION. 
In addition to this useful knowledge certain points have been reason- 
ably well settled in regard to the cultivation of these trees, and we give 
these directions in the language of one of the most successful foresters 
in the country, Mr. C. H. Longstreth: 
Trees should be planted closely, for immediate and mutual protection; second, for 
economy in culture; third, for the purpose of securing valuable timber and early re- 
turns from the planting. There evidently was a want of practical knowledge with 
our law-makers on this question when they framed and passed the timber act allow- 
ing trees to be planted 12 feet apart each way. Trees planted such wide distances can 
never serve the purpose of a forest, but will virtually become an open orchard. 
Propagation.—As a general rule the best and cheapest mode of growing trees for 
timber is by means of the seed; some kinds, such as the cottonwood, the willows, and 
most of the poplars, may be readily propagated from cuttings. 
Preparing the ground.—In preparing the soil for planting of seeds and young trees 
it isessentially necessary that the ground should be deeply plowed and well pulverized. 
Distance apart.—We have practiced planting in rows 4 6, 8, and 12 feet apart, with 
trees 2 to 3 feet apart in the row, the results so far being in favor of rows 4 feet 
apart. Trees that naturally grow upright may be farther apart than those of a spread- 
ing habit. In no case would we recommend putting the rows over 6 feet apart. 
Planting.—Seeds that start with a delicate growth should be planted in nursery 
rows, or in a seed bed, to be transplanted to the forest at one or two years old; seeds 
and cuttings of a vigorous growth may be planted right out in the forest rows. The 
nut-bearing trees do not transplant well, and the seed should be planted where the 
trees are toremain. We would advise, most decidedly, not to allow your trees in 
nursery rows to get more than two years old before transplanting; and they are bet- 
ter transplanted at one year old. One-year old trees are sure to grow, having, in 
proportion to the top, more and better small fibrous roots. Young trees cost less 
throughout in handling and plantins, and in the end make a larger, thriftier, health- 
ier, and better tree every way. Be careful not to expose the roots of trees in hand- 
ling; set them one or two inches deeper than they stood before, and press the earth 
firmly about the roots. 
Cultivation.—To be successful in the growing of trees it is essentially necessary that 
they should receive good, thorough cultivation. You might just as well expect to 
grow a crop of corn without cultivation as a crop of trees. Too many people allow 
their trees to die or be ruined for want of a little care and cultivation, and then com- 
plain that tree-growing is a failure. Neglect is a failure everywhere. Cultivate well 
in the early part of the season; allow no weeds or grass to grow; stop all cultivation 
with the plow after the middle or last of July, this being done in order to let the trees 
