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Show Prepare Ground Now For Spring Trees i For successful growing of forest trees under most Utah farm conditions, con-ditions, cultivation of the planting site both before and after planting, plant-ing, is the most important factor, according to Paul M. Dunn, forester for-ester for the extension service of the Utah State Agricultural college col-lege at Logan. The preparation of the ground is recommended for all planting conditions and should be done during the year previous to the setting out of the trees. With the advent of the recent storms over the state, nearly ail soil is in condition for plowing and discing, which will turn under the humus cover, and make the best growing bed possible for the small trees that will be set cut next spring. Spring planting of small trees is recommended by the forestry department, especially for tarm conditions. It the ground is in proper shape, and the trees are properly planted, all the advantages advan-tages are in favor of the trees taking hold and growing, Mr Dunn said. The next important factor in the question of the survival of the tree is cultivation of the area after af-ter planting. The ground around the trees should be kept free from grass and weeds, and also not allowed al-lowed to harden. A good example of what cultivation will do for growing trees, is brought out by I. D. Zobel, superintendent of the Utah State Agricultural experiment experi-ment farm at Price, Utah. Nearly an acre of trees was set out two years ago, on land that was ori-pinnllv ori-pinnllv an alfalfa, nateh All hnr. n small corner was ' plowed and cleaned thoroughly prior to the tree planting, while the corner was left with a scattered stand of the alfalfa growing on it. The trees were set out with a six-by-six -foot spacing, and were irrigated regularly over the entire area. All but the small corner received clean cultivation regularly. Two years after planting, all the trees were living, but the one? in the alfalfa patch had grown only from six to 18 inches, while the ones that received clean cultivation culti-vation had grown from two to eight feet. Forest trees will be available for farm planting next spring from tiie forestry department at Login: but the ground should be prepared this fall for best success, Mr. Dunn advises. |