Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-07-21

Mr. Editor: You have no doubt received
various accounts of the extraordinary disorder
everywhere prevailing amongst the Pine trees.
This invaluable tree, hitherto constituting
the wealth and support of Eastern North Car
DINA, and supplying her commerce with the
valuable productions of Timber, Lumber, and
Naval Stores, is now being rendered entirely
worthless. Already has the interest of North
Carolina been effected millions of dollars
Various causes have been assigned, and rem
edies suggested, but none have as yet proved
either satisfactory or effectual. Late last fall
our trees commenced dying in small lunches,
and continued through the winter; little dam
age, however, being sustained by it. The
circumstance of trees being infested by insects
in the winter was thought by some ominous
of their entire destruction, but little the con-
sequences was then anticipated. In clearing
forest land for cultivation, we generally girdle
the large growth IN May, so that, during the
hot months of July and August, the bugs may
work ana destroy the tree before frost-cold
weather always putting stop TO their opera
tons. But last winter, during the coolest
weather, the bugs kept steadily at work.
They have continued on until the present,
and now their ravages really appear frightful.
The loss already amounts 10 half, and
the more deaths among the trees, the more nu-
merous becomes the insects that destroys them;
and if they continue through August to the
middle of September-the most favorable
months for their operation)-there will not be
left ten thousand trees in this county A good
many persons have taken off half their hands
for the want of trees. The operation of the
bug is not confined 10 the boxed Pines alone, but
they are attacking the unlocked, and are killing
all the Spruce and Rosemary Pines around our
plantations. These Pines are used for rail
timber, and if the bugs keep on, we will be
left .tenceless as well as penceless There ap-
pears to be something very peculiar in the
manner the trees die. They do not, in drop
ing their straw, turn watery and sower through
the body, as is usual in ordinary deaths; but
appear to wither up perfectly dry-bearng no
stain upon the face of the boX-nor smell or
sowerness about the tree. fit was otherwise,
the great number constantly dying, would GER
tanly produce great deal of sickness among
the people. Their death is caused by little
black bug, innumerable in the woods, which
infests the tree-penetrates the bark into the
alburnum or sensitive parts, and sucks there
| fho hIohc
Our trees never looked greener, nor run freer
than they have this spring and summer; and
if il was not for the bugs, there would have
been over an average crop of Turpentine made,
but as it is, there will not be a fourth of a
crop.
Now, Mr. Editor, the inquiry is, if this death
among our trees continues, what is tobe done?
Most persons are in debt for Turpentine land,
and that, too, at high price. You we'll know
that Turpentne is the controlling commodity
in this section, and regulates the price OF eve.
ry thing else. Turpentne itself is very low
-Turpentne land has already deprecated
more than one-half, and every thing else in
proportion. AS an evidence, look at the great
depreciation in the value OF property at the
late administrators sales in this county.
understand, that at vendue last week, a yoke
of Oxen, worth s25 or $50, sold for 81 o. COWS
and Calves, from So to S.; Sheep ordinarily
worth from 81 to 81 so, brought only 374 to
As cents-and every thing else in proportion:
This is Int foretaste of what we must all
soon realize. Coming events casts their
shadows before them" There is another sub
iect wish to suggest: The Act of the last
Legislature declares that the present valuation
of land shall remain eight years. Is there no
way TO alter this. and get our lands re-assess-
ed? Last year at The assessment, our lands
were valued very high now greater portion
would not even bring the taxes. By giving
your views on this subject, you will oblige
Long Creek. A FRIEND.
! July the l4th, l84s.