Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-03-18

Here is capital letter from n Vcrmonter
in Illinois 1t puts the case Of Vermont VS..
the West in a way not at all aattering to the
West, and quite comforting to Vermont.
FOREST TREES OF ILLINOIS.
Timber in tbi, State is all hard. Oak,
Hickory, Black-walnut, Bass, Elm, Ash and
Maple constitute its volume. As it is not
abundant but grows sparingly on the east side
Of streams, ponds and lakes, it is no wonder
that some men are obliged to 60 twelve miles
for wood. As sleighing here is usually poor
and of short duration, il is no small affair to
get a years supply. But two thirds Of it is
drawn on wagons, and Of course you are not
surprised to hear that we pay from 81 TO IS
per cord The inhabitants vainly believe that
the wood grows in the timbered lands as fast
as it is cut But the fact is the heavy timber
is rapidly disappearing al that which rises
in its place is not very abundant and OF course
must be light for many years. This suggests
many enquiries as to fuel for the future. 1t
is said our coal is abundant and will last i'm
measurably. This also is doubtless exagger-
atsd. 1t wasSonce so in England Of its sup
ply. II it pol announced that at the present
rate of exhaustion the mines will be exhaust
ed in two centuries. Perhaps they will be in
less The supply of matter in this region of
which the coal is made, was probably all Of
one geological age, and cannot be exhaustless.
But let US hope that for this western land it
may prove abundant. But it also suggests
( the enquiry--Is your supply in Vermont suf-
hoient for all coming time: The enmity of
some of the inhabitants Of your State 60 stand
ing timber is proverbial. Is il to continue
TIL all accessible timber is cut, and your hi Is
and mountains exhibit the sterile badness of
many of the New Hampshire hills; Can any
agricultural society favor arborioulJure sufii-
cent to offer premiums for raising an acre, or
ten acres of forest trees, Can any body be
induced to line the roadsldes with shade trees,
or fill any other place with trees, and almost
any trees will be worth raising, Don't think
hemlocks too ersggy and worthless - live,
cherish them as precious legacy. Let the
spruces and birches grow except where tie
! land is absolutely needed. Without great
care, three more generations will see your
woodlands stripped. Your domestic fires
I and your railroads burn wood faster than il
grows, saying nothing Of the consumption by
field fires What would Vermont be without
abundant timbers Your streams are all d.
minishng by the barring Of your hills, and il
/ is necessary something should be done TO stop
that vandalism that has made such havoc OF
those noble forests Fence your woodlands
let the maple-nuts root and grow, leverwood
ash, walnut and in favorable situations, oak
Cultivate some productive butternuts, chest
nuts, with yellow and white pines. All these
trees would be invaluable and will add great
ly TO the wealth and prosperity of the State
in future years.
DO not say you mean to leave the State
soon and don't care what becomes oft. Why
do you leave it Do you hope to see bel;
ter That better State does not exist. Dc
YOU with to wade in mud from six inches tC
two feet deep, for six months in the year
DO you wish foF slEnds that grow about thirty
bushels Of corr, n bushels ofwheat, and on,
tun of hay to the acre on the average, and nj
more; Thousands and hundreds of thousands
of acres of such land, and this is the bes
there is, may be bought in Illinois, in low
and Missouri, at nm average Of thirty dollar
rer acre. Your fencing boards, the poorest
will cost you everywhere at least $40 pc
thousand and every thing you buy in propo
ton. Would you exchange your little lot TO
such a situation? Do not look for your par
adise towards the setting sun, for authorit,
says "The Lord God planted garden EAST
WARD in Eden" Dress the garden you have
and make your picturesque State glow with
paradisacal beauty. VERMoYTER.
Dunton, Ill March 4th, 1864,