The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-05-04
Agricultural.
TErom tie Plough, Loon, and AnviI. !
Wood and Timber Lands.

In many sections of the country, the
scarcity of timber for the practical and
economic purposes is presenting an a.
farming feature. In many portions OF
the country, too, the use of fuel is so fast
increasing, that the inquiry, how are com
ing generations TO be provided ! Is much
more than an idle question. Yet the axe
is still swift in its work of destruction.
aud, what is more lamentabie, the useless
manner in which woodlands are allowed
TO remain. in too many instances, fur
nishes but poor reason to anticipate their
renewal.
With many it is practice, in getting
their annual supply of fuel, 10 get one
tree in this place and another in that, thus
running over the territory of trees, and,
of course, marking the whole with paths,
and occupy an alarming portion of the
woodlot. Then, again, when the solta-
ry tree is taken, quantity of smaller
timber is broken down so that in fact, the
getting of single tree amounts to clear
ing; and q clearing it is apt to remain;the
grass comes in, and in due time, the
premises exhibit the appearance of a
pasture.
We are pleased to see, that with more
observing and careful owners OF wood
lands, a better system of things is intro
ducing itself. Instead of practicing thi,
wasteful, ill-looking system they com
mence clearing, or cutting every thing
clean in a remote part of the lot, and thus,
each year, working nearer home, until
the whole is cut over. a new crop springs.
up on the land thus cleared, which if pro-
tected from animals, Will in from fifteen
TO thirty years according 10 soil and To-
cality, yield a heavy burthen, and again
invite the axe-man to its shade. The
advantages of this system are Obvious
The new growth is an even one, and there
is no loss Of timber from high winds a.
j. always the case in these forests, as the
new growth protects itself from their in
hucDcc.
There is great saving of lands in the
matter Of paths: for one path through the
lot is sufficient, and as the operation ad-
yances homewaTd, that becomes useless,
and itself grows up to trees. The new
growth shades itself, and thus retains
sufficient moisture in times of drought, and
also protects itself from grass and weeds
As the timber increases in size, the fee
hler shoots die out, and themselves be-
come, by decay, food for those that re-
main.
Nature directs the time when forest
trees should be cut of, in order, either,
to kill the terminating principle, or 70 re-
new themselves. We have long noticed
tina: when trees are cut while the sap is
in a half dormant state, as through the
freezing and thawing season Of spring, OF.
for few weeks after the fall Of the leaf
in autumn, Reproduction is hardly to be
expected.
The vital energy of the roots all runs
out IN the flow Of the sap, or bleeding
from the pores. But any time in winter.
cbopTing may be safely performed with a
view Of reproductions; so toe from the
time yf the Development Of the leaf to Ii: |
fall. Timber cut in June, if divested Of
IL bark acquires, BY seasoning, great
fruHcss and durability. Wood cut in
August and September, if seasoned in
the open air, Is more valuable fuel than
that cut in March; for it has ample time
for seasoning, and retains all its goodness.
In addition, the growth of a season is
saved by allowing it to stand over sum-
neT.