29 
"The nurseries at Cbico and Sunnier (Kern River) furnish tree-plants, and each 
spring daring the period adapted to planting they were distributed along the lines 
of railroad and planted about ( lu> stations and section houses. 
"In some localities, notably in Nevada, .ureal difficulty was found in making the 
t rees live. This resulted pari ly from the alt itude and severe climate, and pari ly from 
Selecting trees ill-adapted to the locality. It is true, we know, that Cottonwood and 
Quaking Aspen and the like would flourish at the most difficult points, hut it, was 
deemed worth while to try w hat could be done with raoro durable species and w ith 
fruit, trees. In this way it was not by once planting, hut by many times planting^ 
that the stations in the treeless wastes were gradually embowered. Often, after t rees 
were well started, the carelessness of an employe" would allow them all to die off 
again. 
"The situation of Kern River was found to he excellent for a nursery, hut for 
the sake of economy it was abandoned in favor of Tipton, where the plantation and 
nursery could he consolidated. Most of tho trees planted out along the Southern 
Pacific, as far cast as El Paso, were raised in this nursery from the seed. 
" In extending the tree-planting through Arizona and New Mexico an unexpected 
difficulty was encountered. Wo had looked for trouble from heat and drought, hut 
we found the most serious trouble to arise from frost. Wo never expected to find, as 
our meteorological observations now show, a minimum temperature of 8° and 10° for 
stations in Arizona. 
" In consequence of this lack of sufficient data, the trees sent to that section for sev- 
eral seasons have been frost-bitten. As the first experience of this kind was thought 
unusual and exceptional, the same kinds were tried again. I believe I can now re- 
port that tho present stations throughout California are sufficiently supplied with 
liviug trees, so that, with reasonable care, the beauty and advantage to he derived 
from them will be constantly on tho increase." 
To the question, "Have you planted trees for wind-breaks, as a protection against 
snow-drifts, and with what success ?" thirty-four, or most of the companies from 
whom reports were received, reply emphatically, u No." 
The Northern Pacific Kailroad Company says : " Yes ; but it will take two years to 
determine with what success." 
Tho Burlington and Missouri River Company say, " We do not consider that our 
trees planted for snow protection are a very great success. In the winter, when 
protection is needed, the foliage is all off, and tho railroad f right-of-way' being nar- 
row tho trees must necessarily ho too close to tho road to make an efficient snow- 
break." 
The Chicago, Saint Paul and Minneapolis Company report good success, but give 
no particulars. 
The report from the Missouri Pacific Company objects to the planting of trees for 
wind-breaks or as a protection from snow on account of their obstructing tho view at 
highway crossings, and because it would involve the expense of purchasing land on 
either side of the road so that the trees might he set further apart than they can he 
with tho ordinary width of road. It is alleged that where the road is only 100 feet 
wide rows of trees on cither side, instead of protecting from drifts, cause the snow to 
lodge there aud become more troublesome than it would bo without the trees. 
To the question, " Have plantations along your line been materially damaged by 
lire ? " twenty-two companies have made reply. Tho general tenor of these replies 
would indicate that the losses by firo are not great. 
The Louisville and New Albany Company say : " Wo have had very little damage 
by fires to forests, and do not think this would in any way discourage tree -planting." 
An officer of tho Hannibal and Saiut Joseph Railroad Company says, "I am not 
aware that any plantations along the liuo have been materially injured by fire, nor 
do I consider fire a danger sufficient to discourage tree-planting." 
