AZ 
Growth for 1896 and 1897—Continued. 
Species of tree planted. | Longest. Average. 
Trees set spring of 1897. Inches. Inches. 
Sagigih EMG. coc cnc letce: Meo aie ee i En ree 8 | 6.5 3.8 
Thad) Ged Pr (HD ITER GI at 5) SR a ea eC ee a 5G 41 
LET Re sogeedteckne +47. RoAS oe eee CEOS eee eae ee eR Sen Sor pes 25 26 
UPPAUDR, -o.csccscoscecebessce ceesectosécuscesssbeoccspsbaces seescee se cee os eee beaks 24 14.5 
(STG@GH AWN. oc chest tnotet) Soe COGS epee aC See SBE SOC BESS Eee = ae ae nee as se | 10 6.8 
[SIRO D ccc secre bee Sonoeen6 CbOnSU RSH CU OHOROCROT OC OC OOEOEAY or Eee rre Cee een one Be 10 6.6 
(DUG oo. ace sel ceo se eccseerscoccs snes ee eeecor ce == Cee e = ECORSE BE ape abe eS seo-ccos 22 12 
AUDI = 2 2 oe cence eeesecsrcs ceccece Coc Scr cgeu Dade Ree So eUDCOSEEOOS EEE are see sore 57 38.1 
QO (TISRE WIEAGIE SiG OGE) Ste eS 6 CGS SEAS ee See Seen ee eee eee 31 11.3 
JT) NGUDS LS 13) eA ce te deco soca ost he 6 Soe ce eC UR eS See Re eeE Ee Rene aaa 47.5 21 
Populus (Blks. C. & D.)..-.--- Boe SSSR ae SPS Seah tS oe tN mata 3 SS Te. Se eee 25 13.8 
NEBRASKA. 
For the planting experiments at the State University experiment 
station a field was set apart on the east side of the university farm, 
adjoining a 15-acre grove of pure-planted Cottonwood. The land slopes 
to the east and north and the soil is the typical prairie of the eastern 
part of Nebraska, a black loam, underlaid to an unknown depth with 
a rather stiff yellow clay. The fact that the Cottonwood, which occupy 
the low land adjoining the forest plats, has made a splendid growth 
(averaging 60 feet in height at 25 years of age), and form one of the 
best pure-planted groves of this species I have ever seen, indicates 
that the subsoil is sufficiently porous to permit perfect root development, 
while the remarkable growths herein recorded indicate generally favor- 
able conditions, at least during the past two years. 
The field is divided into 1-acre plats, ten of which have been planted 
thus far. In 1896 five plats were planted, the nurse trees being all of 
shade-enduring species. In 1897 five acres were planted, in which the 
nurse trees were all of light-demanding species. In the 1896 plantings 
all the trees were set, while in the 1897 plantings blank spaces were 
left for the conifers, which will be filled the coming year or later. It 
is hoped that the two sets of plats, planted on such opposing bases, 
will demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of both. The 
plantings of 1897 had for their especial purpose the creation of condi- 
tions favorable to evergreens, and must be considered from this point 
of view. 
PLANTINGS OF 1896. 
Soil preparation.—The land for plats 1 to 5 was ordered plowed 12 
inches deep, but owing to the excessive dry weather of the previous year 
this was impossible. The plowing averaged about 6 inches deep, being 
very irregular. The plats were thoroughly harrowed in the spring and 
were in perfect condition, aside from the shallow plowing, at planting 
time. The soil was fresh when planting began, having had a good rain 
