The place of trees in America's agricultural soil bank program

Historic, Archive Document

Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

its. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICVLT

LIBRARY

CURKEKT SERIAL RECORD

Office of Information'

ru.s.

i^EPARTMENT OF Ai

Picture Story No. 101

For Release January 22,1957

The Place Of Trees In America's Agricultural

Soil Bank Program

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Today, throughout America, there Eire successful forest plantations on more than 5 million acres.
Many of these plantations are on farms across the country, where progressive farmers have learned
that trees increase the value of their land. They have found that trees protect the soil, lessen
erosion, serve as wind-barriers, and help provide a more stable flow of water. Their trees have
added beauty to the land and furnished shelter for increased wildlife. Over and above these bene-
fits the planted trees have earned money for their owners, from the sale of products:

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Pulpwood, Posts, and Poles from thinnings which opened Sawlogs from the older

up and improved the plantations. plantations.

OF^PORTUNITY

Under the Soil Bank there's a fine
opportunity right now to plant trees.
Farmers can get into the nation-wide
tree-planting program at a consider-
able savings. The County Agent or
local Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation Committee representa-
tive can provide information on the
Soil Bank. The local forester can
give technical advice on the plant-
ing.

CONSERVATION RESERVE-SOIL BANK PROGRAM

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LAND ELIGIBLE FOR TREE PLANTING IN THE CONSERVATION RESERVE

SCS-Ore. 45042 SCS-Md. 79,666

Land which up to now has been in regu- Crop land which is eroding or otherwise run

lar crop production, including tame hay. down is ideally suited for planting; trees.

TREES IN PRODUCTION FOR THE SOIL BANK JOB

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In public and commercial nurseries across Production is being _ increased to meet

the Nation, millions of tree seedlings are the expanding needs of the Soil Bank job.
growing right now.

TREES FOR THE SOIL BANK

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It doesn't take much space to grow the
little trees. In just one of these beds
there are more than 30,000 seedlings,
enough to plant 30 to 60 acres, depend-
ing on how far apart the trees are planted.

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Depending on the kind of trees and where
they are grown, it takes from one to three
years before they are big and strong
enough to leave the nursery. Careful
handling of the trees is essential at all
times.

THE PLANTING JOB

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Like other farm jobs, planting trees is no
snap — especially if you have to do it by
hand. And that's the way it often has to
be done, particularly on small areas.

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If the trees are to live, their roots must
be kept moist right up to planting time,
and the seedlings must be planted right.
Again, careful handling, proper planting
is necessary.

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Sometimes, small machinery at hand can
be adapted for planting trees to speed up
the job. Just the right spacing, and it
takes 3 or 4 good men to keep up.

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On larger fields, where the going is good,
a tree-planting machine really puts the
trees in the ground, often planting as
many in one hour as a man can plant in a
day.

DIVIDENDS FROM TREES

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Almost from the start a plantation of trees adds to the value of a farm. Of course in some places
trees grow faster than in others. It depends on what kind of trees they are and on the growing con-
ditions. But, whatever their age or size, tree plantations start yielding early returns — in soil and
water conservation ~ in shelter for wildlife ~ and in creating a more pleasant environment for
those who actually live and work on the land. Sooner or later the plantation starts paying off in
dollars and cents too. There's no doubt about it: "You can bank on trees because trees are
like money in the bank "

MONEY IN THE MAKING

Magazines and newspapers may obtain glossy prints of any of these photographs from the Photography
Division. Office o f Information, U. S. D ep artm ent o f A gric ulture, Washington 25, D. C. Others may

purchase prints, at 754 each, from the same address.