66 
erably, but those remaining are in good condition and are from 2 to 
3 feet taller than the remaining species in the plat. 
The Boxelder has proven its excellence as a nurse for this latitude. 
During the favorable seasons of 1889-1893 it grew rapidly, shading the 
ground so well that cultivation was unnecessary after the third year 
from planting. The years 1894 and 1895 were both extremely dry, and 
the Boxelder showed great injury. In the spring of 1896 the growth of 
the two previous years was dead, but dormant buds sprouted in the 
older limbs, and scarcely a tree was entirely killed. The trees averaged 
9 feet high at this time, and the drought that checked their growth so 
severely had much less effect on the more valuable species, so that it 
served merely to head in the nurse trees. The growth of 1896 was vig- 
orous, thickening the tree crowns and increasing their value as nurses 
by shading the ground more completely. The dead twigs in the Box- 
elder tops give the plantation a bad appearance, but the tenacity of 
life in the species has been well proven, and its usefulness as a nurse 
tree in high prairie demonstrated. 
It may be objected that the wood of the tree is valueless, but if by 
using it good results in starting conifers and valuable hardwoods can be 
secured, other considerations may well be ignored. 
PLAT 5.—One-half acre, 4 by 4 feet, 1,361 trees. 
Boob Beeb bags 
153g MOP PEE IB ess (0) 
DBS aee Bi By ye.d Bio) Bong IBS 
Bahn ba Ore Baek 
boy) oye) oyna Beales? 18} 
153, KOs Idee 1B O) 
Br Bs Bebo bee 
Bh BOs aah 
B—Boxelder. 
O—Bur Oak. 
E—White Elm. 
In this plat the Boxelder has so completely covered the ground that 
the leaves of the trees have been prevented from blowing away and 
already show the formation of humus. Particular interest attaches to 
this plat by reason of the effect of the nurse trees on the Bur Oak. 
The natural habit of this tree, when grown in the open, is to branch 
freely, giving to even the young specimens something of the spreading 
crown of old trees. In this plat the Oaks are forced straight and tall 
in proportion to their diameter of trunk. In some cases they now 
