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About The Conservative (Nebraska City, Neb.) 1898-1902 | View Entire Issue (April 11, 1901)
, , & & Vt Conservative * investment of capital. Improved forest conditions in Nebraska would mean cheaper fuel , a beneficial influence on local climate , with a consequent increase in the value of land. Press Bulletin No. 18 United States Department of Agri culture , Washington , D. 0. , April 6 , 1901. ARBOR DAY TREE PLANTING. Both the timely proclamation of Gov. Deitnch and the approach of Nebraska Arbor day , remind to "plant trees. " Many persons , doubtless , who desire trees , fail to plant , laboring under the false impression that the process is in tricate : that scientists have a patent right on tree-plan ting. Facts are to the direct reverse. Any child large enough to yield a spade can plant a tree , and should be taught to do it , with reasons given for the act. To beautify our own surroundings , and return interest at least for what nature has so bountifully bestowed. Only care in digging a tree , care in planting , and after care are required to insure succes. Avoid mutilating roots when digging. Dig a spade-wide trench around the tree , distance in proportion to the size of tree to be removed ; from two feet to six , thus retaining all roots and soil possible. This , where trees are not shipped from a distance. In any event , see that all mutilated roots are pruned with a sharp , keen knife , giving a clean cut on the under side of roots. When trees are shipped , and without attached soil , more care should be exer cised in examining and pruning to insure healthy wood , quick healing and new growth of rootlets. In digging hole and providing a new and permanent home for the tree , let il be from one to two feet larger anc deeper than the actual space requirec" for roots. Throw surface soil on one side of the hole , and subsoil on the other. Fill up the hole with surface soil to let the trees be about two inches deeper than it originally grew. Place the tree in position , and fill in about the roots with surface soil , being particular to have soil closely filled in about the ; . roots. Let roots have as near the same - . position as they grew naturally. Don' ; be afraid of soil "dirt. " Get down on the knees and with the bare hands anc fingers , see well to placing soil abou roots as indicated. This , is an al important factor in planting. , When roots are well covered witl surface soil , throw in the subsoil , fill ing hole to within four inches of surface of the ground. Fill up the hole with at least a two gallon bucket of water churn the tree up and down. This wil cause the puddle of soil and water to settle well about all the roots. When the soil has taken up the water , fill the hole up two inches above the surface with subsoil. Let stand for an hour and then press soil firmly about the roots with the feet , leaving a slight depression pression , saucer shape , in circumference near as possible , to that of the hole , dug for the tree. Let topmost soil be loose to * prevent surface baking. If the season of planting be dry , or becomes so after word , mulch liberally over the roots o : he tree. Possibly , but rarely , if ox- eeding drouth occurs , it might bo well ; o pour water through the mulch to each the roots. As a rule , however , his is not necessary. The thorough vetting of roots , top dressing with ) lanket , or loose soil and mulch , ought ; o serve the purpose. Too much sur- 'ace ' moisture , either natural rain fall or artificial application of water , tends o induce an upward growth of roots , when a downward tendency should be encouraged. All newly planted trees should be pruned. In pruning tops , give prepon- lerence to roots , as they have first duty to perform to again identify them selves with the soil. Do not bo dis couraged if leaves do not appear at once after planting. Boots in instances , are ; ardy in their work. If the tree is icalthy , leaves will appear in due time , [ n pruning tops of trees , all limbs out , size and over of little finger , should be minted with some substance , to prevent evaporation and induce rapid healing of the wound. Common paint will answer , or gum shellac dissolved in alcohol , with consistence of common paint , put on with a brush. In pruning tops of trees , let one object be future shape and symmetry : "Just as the twig is bent the tree's in clined , " is the old and true couplet. What is here said of tree planting , is applicable alike to forest , fruit and evergreen trees. More care , however , should be exercised in handling ever greens than in deciduous trees. Roberl Douglas , the veteran evergreen grower and planter , once said : "Never let the roots of an evergreen see the sun. " He should have added : "Nor feel the wind. " What is known as "sap" in a deciduous tree , is resin in an evergreen and once conjealed can never be re stored. Hence , extreme care in hand ling roots of evergreens. In fact , the least possible exposure of roots of any tree , to the wind or the sun , the bettor. A tree is to be planted but once in a life time. Let it be well done. A wel planted tree never forgets the hand thai planted it. Care of trees after planting is inipor tant. Other than mulch , see that the ground is kept clear of weeds and grass If loosened by swaying winds , straigh ten up and pack soil over roots not too much about the body of tree. Brownville , Neb. ROB. W. FUKNAS TREE GROWING SOIL. * [ From the New York Weekly Times , Marcl 10th , 1878. ] The following analysis of the common prairie soil of Nebraska has been sent to us , with a request to publish. It is by Prof. Goessmann , of the Massaohusett College of Agriculture at Aniherst , an authority of high standing. Mr. Morton President of the State Board of Agri culture , states that it is a fair average sample of the soil , extending over th greater portion of the state of Nebraska It is peculiarly rich in organic matte and in potash , which sufficiently show its value , and account for the great grain crops , grown in the states whore i exists : Statement Concerning an Examination of a Sample of Soil sent by , T. Ster ling Morton , Vice-President of the Slate Board of Agriculture of the State of Nebraska. The soil was of a grayish-dark color , and of a light , pulverent , uniform tex- riire the largest pieces severally readi ng 1-lGth to l-20th of an inch in Liameter. Mixed with water it did- not form a compact stiff mass , but per mitted , in a desirable degree , its per colation. The abundance of rootlets which had grown through it in every lirection , demonstrated plainly its 'avorablo , mechanical condition for plant growth. The general physical properties of the soil corresponded with the characteristics of a sandy loam. As one of its peculiar features , may be men- ioiied the presence of a small percentage of minute , rounded pieces of magnetic iron ore , which causes , mainly , the largo percentage of sesquioxido of iron in my subsequent analytical statement. The soil lost , when kept over dry , chloride of calcium , 1-6 per cent of moisture ; it absorbed in an air saturated with moisture , at 66 ° Fahrenheit tem perature , 5.04 per cent of moisture ; when dried at 212 ° Falireuheit , it lost 4.05 per cent of moisture ; being cal cined , it lost 18.08 per cent of its weight , consisting mainly of water and organic matter. One thousand parts of the soil , treated with 2,000 parts water produced a solu tion which left at 212 ° to 220 ° Fahren heit , a residue , equal to 1.184 parts , which consisted of 0.414 parts of ash constituents , and of 0.770 parts of organic and volatile matter. One thousand parts of the soil , being treated with hydrochloric acid of 1.12 specific gravity , produced a solution which contained : Parts. Potassa. . . , 2.8259 Soda 0.2047 Lime 0.4283 Magnesia 2.7237 Sesquioxido of iron , with traces of oxide manganese 44.8332 Alumina 1.4375 Phosphoric acid O.COCO Sulphuric acid 0.5290 Silicic acid 0.5792 Quantitative analytical determinations of nitric acid , ammonia and organic matter , ( humus , ) have not been carried out. These substances ought to be determined in a fresh sample of soil ; exposure to air for any length of time , changes their quantity , and , in case of organic matter , also their quality. Besides , the omission of these tests does not affect the main object for which the present investigation has been instituted , namely , to obtain some definite idea , concerning the general character of the soil in question , and its qualification for agricultural purposes. From the fore going analytical statements , it will be noticed that the latent resources of plant food in that soil are of more than a usual good average proportion in a sandy loam. The peculiar adaptation of the latter land of soil for the economical production of most of our prominent farm crops , and for the cultivation of fruits in general , are well recognized. OHAULES A. GOESSMANN , Professor of Chemistry , Massachusetts Agricultural College.