FOREST PLANTING IN WESTERN KANSAS. 
INTRODUCTION. 
The investigations upon which this report is based were made for 
the purpose of determining the kinds of forest trees best adapted to 
western [Kansas and the methods of treatment which have proved 
most successful. Since there is little hkelihood that more than small 
local areas of the region can ever be irrigated, only the species which 
can be grown without irrigation are described. With an artificial 
supply of water better results can be obtained with these species, and 
others that could not be grown without it can be introduced. 
Whatever may be the reasons for the absence of natural forests on 
the Great Plains, a-close study of established plantations proves that, 
with an intelligent selection of species and proper care, planted trees 
can, to some extent, be made to supply the deficiency. 
It is generally accepted that for the most successful agricultural 
conditions from 10 to 25 per cent of the land should be forested. 
There is little likelihood that this proportion will ever be attained in 
western Kansas. Yet the planting that will come as the State in- 
creases in age and wealth will be sufficient to exercise a marked effect 
on the landscape, and to supply wood for many domestic purposes. 
In favored localities commercial returns may be expected; elsewhere 
the recompense to the planter will take the form of increased comfort 
and convenience. The American has in many regions ruthlessly 
destroyed his natural forests, but with characteristic energy he is 
creating woodland where none existed before. 
On the Plains the most extensive early plantings were made to 
secure title under the timber-culture law. They generally resulted in 
failure because of poorly chosen species and neglect. The man who 
made a timber-culture filing did so to get 160 acres of land, not be- 
cause he cared for trees, or had sufficient experience to grow them. 
If he could evade the law and “ prove up” without any trees what- 
ever, he was altogether too likely to consider himself that much 
ahead. There were some well-planted and conscientiously cared-for 
claims, which now speak for themselves. The majority, however, 
amounted to little or nothing. After various modifications, the law 
was repealed in 1891. 
[Cir. 161.] (5) 
