Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1875 — Trees by the Water-Side. [ARTICLE]

Trees by the Water-Side.

Anyone who has been at all observing has not failed to notice that the largest, most thrifty and luxuriant trees are to be found on the banks of lakes, rivers and smaller streams of water. In the prairie region of the West, where trees are ordinarily scarce, we rarely find a stream that is not lined by them on both sides. We may generally trace water-courses long distances by the lines of trees. Illinois has very little timber except along the banks of her rivers and streams, and on the broken ridges in the southern part of the State, where - springs and streamlets abound. The same is true of all the States in the prairie region. There is scarcely any tree, whether desired for ornament or profit, that does not grow to the best advantage when planted on the bank of a stream, while there are several varieties of trees, shrubs and vines that do very poorly in other locations. Not only do fruit-trees grow better on the banks of streams, but they are almost always more productive. Again, the fruit is likely to be fairer and free from blemishes. In short, the banks of streams seem to be the places best adapted by nature to the growth of trees, and we should look to these places tie find not only the finest trees, ■ but the finest fruit. The reasons why trees flourish best on the banks of streams and lakes are chiefly three in number. There is no danger of their being injured by drought. The roots of trees in the vicinity of water will seek it out and appropriate it. In a time of protracted dryness trees at a distance from water will stop growing or die outright, while those in the vicinity of water will continue to grow. The evaporation which is constantly taking place on the surface of water keeps the leaves of trees moist and in the best condition to grow. Again, the banks of streams afford the best possible natural drainage, so.that there will be no stagnant water. The soil on the banks of streams is nearly always rich in both organic and inorganic matter. Both are brought down by the streams, and are taken up by the roots of the trees. So, too, the land for a considerable distance slopes toward the stream and affords the means of carrying down fertilizing material. The two causes mentioned above combine to make the soil on the banks of streams rich even in districts where the land is generally very poor. This may be seen in all hilly and mountainous countries where good crops are raised on the margins of streams, but none at a distance from them. There is great economy in raising trees on or near the banks of streams and lakes, because the land there is of little value for any other purpose. It cannot ordinarily be plowed for the reason that it would wash away. Were it not for this obj ection it would be difficult to plow it because the banks are not straight. Raising trees on these situations then is in the interest of economizing land, for the trees and their products are clear gains. The trees are ornaments to the ground, and are of value to the streams by diminishing evaporation. In short, the trees act to help the streams as the streams act to help the trees. The only objection that can be raised to planting fruit-trees by the side of lakes and streams is that the fruit is likely to fall in the water and be lost This objection, however, only applies to certain varieties of fruit, as early apples, peaches and plums. Late apples and pears, as well as cherries, may be grown to good advantage, as they are not likely to tall from the trees. — Chicago L Tirnes.