TREE-PLANTING IN THE UNITED STATES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4196, 1 September 1874, Page 3

TREE-PLANTING IN THE UNITED STATES.

The Timber Culture Act in the United States, says the Pall Mall Gazette, has lately been amended by Congress. The object of the Act is to encourage timber growing upon the prairies, and from a circular issued by a Commissioner of the General Land Office, it seems that the following are the most important provisions of the law as it now stands : Persons who are heads of families, or over twenty-one years of age (without distinction of sex), and either citizens of tho United States, or having declared their intention of becoming such, may enter not more than 160 acres of' land, either minimum or double minimum (lands valued at Idol. 25c. or 2dols. 50c. per acre), by filing an affidavit of such intent in the local land office' The person entering the land must break and plant with trees one-fourth of it. One-fourth of this required fourth must be. broken within one year from the date of entry, another fourth within two. years, and the remaining half within three years, One-fourth of the area required to be planted must be planted within two years from the date of entry, another fourth within three years, and the remainder within four years—the trees to be not less than 12ft. apart each way. It is therefore required that the land be broken one year and planted tho next. After having been -planted, the trees must be protected, cultivated, and kept in healthy growing condition for eight years next succeeding the dato of entry." In case of the death of the person entering tho land, his heirs may continue the occupation and care of the trees, and complete the title. The land acquired under this Act is not liable for debts , contracted previous to the issue of the final certificate therefor. The fee to be paid on entry is lOdoL, and the commissions to officers of tho Land Department amount to Bdol. more ; the total, 18dol., being the full charge up to ; and including the final proof of occupation and fulfilment of the required conditions. , . ,-■ .',-..■ :