TIMBER

Most of us were born in a wooded country. In childhood we were accustomed to look out upon a landscape diversified by forest, mountain and valley. Transported to a region whose features are so different, with a surface stretching out in vast plains covered with a rich growth of vegetable green, either level or undulating like the waves of the sea, where the only timber to be seen is a long line of trees bordering a stream; transferred to such a scene, we are utterly confounded, so foreign is it to all our early associations. But the rapid development of the western prairies prove that the prejudice against this scarcity of timber is without foundation. To subdue a heavily timbered country and bring it under cultivation is a Herculean undertaking, and requires the labor of a generation. A far greater area has been subdued upon the prairies of the West, producing ampler supplies of human food, and sustaining a larger population, within the memory of men yet living, than on the Atlantic slope in over two centuries.

We are connected by rail with the extensive pine forests of Minnesota, and the price of lumber or expense of building and fencing here is not greater than in Northern Illinois, Indiana or Ohio. For the present, fencing is almost entirely dispensed with, as stock is herded upon the vast tracts of vacant land.

The Rock and Sioux Rivers are bordered by fine groves of timber. The principal varieties are white maple, cottonwood, white ash, willow, elm and black walnut, and the supply is sufficient to last, for fuel and other purposes, until increased by the growth of artificial timber. Our farmers find that the time required in preparing and hauling wood may be more profitably employed in other labor; that our Iowa coal, which is delivered at the railroad stations at five to six dollars per ton, is a far better and cheaper fuel than wood.

The rapid growth of artificial timber on our prairie soil is astonishing. A grove of cottonwood or white maple of three or four years' growth is large enough for a shade or a wind-break. At six years it may be thinned out for fuel, and from that time on the tree grower may have an abundant supply of fuel and fencing material. The citizens of Lyon County are giving much attention to forest culture. During the past season they have planted millions of cottonwood, white maple, black walnut, ash, larch and box elder trees. In this manner a supply of timber is rendered certain for the future, the fierce blasts of winter are stayed, farms are rendered more valuable, and the country is adorned and beautified.

Fruit culture has not yet been sufficiently tested in Lyon County to enable us to give many results; but, there is no doubt that all varieties usual to this latitude may be successfully cultivated. Such hardy varieties of apples as the Duchess of Oldenburg, Utter's Large, Tetofski, Red Astraehan, Famcuse, Northern Spy, Golden Russett, Siberian and all the small fruits, have been grown with perfect success for two years.

The wild fruit of our valleys, among which are many varieties of grapes, plums and strawberries, are delicious and abundant.

The immigrant from the East need not fear that he is bidding good-bye forever to those fruits that have been a comfort and a luxury in his former home.