26 ADVICE FOE FOEEST PLANTERS IX OKLAHOMA. 



two seasons following planting was about the same as that given a 

 corn crop. At the end of the second or third year after the planta- 

 tion has been made it will probably pay the owner- to go through the 

 plantation and -elect the most promising trees, about 500 to the acre, 

 to constitute the final stand. These should be pruned and made 

 to grow as straight and tall as possible. The rest of the tree- should 

 be left with their branches upon them. The sixth or seventh year 

 [ifter planting, about one-third of the whole number of trees should be 

 cut out. These may then be used for fence posts, fuel, stakes, or 



Fig. i. — riun fur a commercial plantation in the Red Beds Eelt. 



other economic purposes. At the end of about ten year- another 

 thinning should be made, and a third in the fifteenth year. 



A- the plantation will probably be extended beyond the area 

 planted the first year, the owner- were advised that mixed planta- 

 tions are usually more successful than pure. On the richest land of 

 this quarter section, in it- southern half, the catalpa and black walnut 

 might therefore be mixed with advantage. If it i- desirable to plant 

 a mixture of this kind, it i- suggested that walnut- be collected in ili<- 

 fall when ripe and planted by hand -J feet apart in alternate lister 

 furrow-. The space between these furrow.- should be planted in corn 



