45 
and for these purposes it has been almost indispensable to number- 
less settlers. A man does not have to reach a very old age to have 
trees of his own planting make respectable sawlogs. The writer 
recalls distinctly the pride with which an early settler built a barn 
of cottonwood lumber cut from trees raised by himself. 
Originally, countless cottonwoods were planted in the towns. A 
reaction took place when the trees reached the age of seeding and the 
abundant cotton in the spring filled the air and formed miniature 
snowdrifts on the sidewalks and in dooryards, while the tall crowns 
continued to shoot upward quickly after each pollarding. For town 
planting it should be used sparingly, and is best in parks. <A typical 
case of park planting is at Dodge City, which is the result of eighteen 
years of growth. ' 
As already said, cottonwood grows easily and rapidly from cut- 
tings, and by taking them from staminate trees the production of 
cotton may be avoided. Agents often advocate the Carolina poplar, 
and tell the unsophisticated purchaser that it does not make the 
objectionable cotton. This is simply an eastern variety of cotton- 
wood, which is not even recognized by some botanists, and if cotton 
is not formed it is because cuttings have been made as recommended. 
The person who intends to put out cottonwoods can do no better than 
to go to the nearest stream where they grow well and there dig up 
his seedlings or make his cuttings. 
A few measurements follow : 
Growth of valley or watered cottonwood. 
Time 
| Average required to| Number 
Place. How standing.| Age. | nee Mae eter erent inch| 0f trees 
| ora oot imdiameter| sess 
| high. um : | ured. 
breasthigh. | 
¢ | | 
| Years. Feet. | Inches. Years. 
SOQ CRE INS Sr eee ere er ee ae Groves.---2-:| 8 40 | 6.4 les 10 
OP Seo oe SO aera ee ee ee GOP aes 8 48 |, 8.3 | 1.0 | 10 
Burdettes: Kans: see. eee see lees GOs sec 10 40 8.4 | 1.2 9 
Garden: City oWanse 22-1. IROW rosso qccdsal 10 40 | 10.4 | 1.0 5 
Hoisington® Kanss-<5-..2.22--+--2-- (CBHOWEY Saccoude 21 50 11.0 | 1.9 24 
LOCK OMe IAN Se ssn ees pao te ROW nee eee 28 65 | 16.8 | sa 30 
ROMUIS CAN Gee tare nnatec ee seal COWS sessncca 30 60 | 14.9 | 2.0 H 
| | 
BOXELDER. 
The boxelder is the only native maple in western Kansas, and like 
the cottonwood has often been planted in unsuitable localities. It 
naturally grows in moist situations, and does not thrive away from 
them. Consequently it can not be recommended for the uplands, 
except in local depressions that are benefited by the run-off of sur- 
rounding territory. It prefers a heavy soil to a sandy one, grows 
[Cir, 161.] 
