, ,
& & 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.
