Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 February 1875 — Growing Trees on the Prairies. [ARTICLE]

Growing Trees on the Prairies.

In traveling over the grand orairies, go where you may, the one thing wanting—in the eyes of an Eastern man-ris timber ; something to break the force of the winter- and—the monotony of the country. You do not see barns here; the stock must live through the severe winters, generally, with little or no shelter, while the horse-stable iiSually consists of some poles arranged for the purpose covered with straw. Fruit trees are seldom seen. So many hedges appear sickly and imperfect, the traveler concludes the country is at fault. * One farm attracted my attention. There was a forest near the house and long lines of living fences divided it into splendid fields. Desirous to know more of this I, called on the proprietor and learned that he came here sixteen years ago with scarcely SIOO, health not very good, but determined to make a home. He has now 400 acres, three miles of splendid Osage orange hedge fence, without a gap, except gateways; a magnificent grove of black walnut trees,. three to eight inches in diameter; an acre of poplar and cottonwood much larger; 1,000 maple trees; 200 apple trees; also peach and pear trees, evergreens, grapes, raspberries-and strawberries. I never have seen trees that had grown so thrifty and healthy in New York. One poplar, fourteen years’ growth, from % little twig the size of a whip-stock, now measures twenty-one inches in diameter one foot above the ground. Inquiring how such results have been accomplished, I am told but little money has been expended and less time than many spend in gunning. “ What do you suppose that mile of hedge cost me?" pointing to the most perfect living fence I had ever seen. I reply, “One dollar per rod;” but am told the plants cost S2B; setting and cultivation, S4O; entire cost, S6B. No stock was allowed Dear it till it w r as three years old, rind then the most vicious animal will respect its strength. , The first winter the plants are protected by a mulching of straw, and but little cultivation is afterward needed. Thus this substantial and everlasting fence is produced for 31J cents per rod. It also affords a good wind-break for farm stock, as the growth of each season is allowed to remain till the following spring before it is trimmed. The black walnuts were planted and cultivated for two seasons. The young maples cost $6.75 per thousand, and not exceeding $lO for setting. They were set last spring. Although the season has been very dry, only six have died. The poplar and cotton wood grove is from forty to sixty feet high, costing at setting not more than the maffles. Many apple trees are ten inches in diameter, and have produced several barrels each this season. Choice grafted apple trees, five to seven feet high, cost here fifteen cents each. I have been thus minute to show how easily a settler in this treeless country can secure fruit, fence, timber, etc. — J. K. W. in Rural New Yorker.