Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-03-18
FOREST TREES OF ILLINOIS.

Timber in this State is all hard Oak, HEX
ory, 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 20 u miles for wood. As sleigh
ing here is usually poor and of short duration, it
4 is no small affair TO get a years supply But
| two-thirds Of il is drawn on wagons, and Of
course, you are not surprised to hear that we
pay from 81 to IS per cord. The inhabitants
yanly believe that the wood grows in the tim
bered lands as fast as it is cut But the fact is,
the heavy timber is rapidly disappearing and
that which rises in Its place Is not very abundant
and, Of course, must be light for many years.
This suggests many inquiries as to fuel for the
future. 1t is SAID our coal Is abundant and will
last immeasurably. This also is doubtless exag-
gerated. 1t was once so said in England Of its
supply. 1t now announced that at the present
rate Of exhaustion the mines will be exhausted
in two centuries Perhaps they will be in less.
The supply Of matter in this region Of which
coal is made, was probably all of one geological
age, and cannot be exhaustless. But let Us hope
that for this western land II may prove abundant.
But il also suggests the enquiry Is your sup
ply in Vermont sufficient for all coming time
The enmity of some of tire inhabitants Of your
State to standing timber is proverbial. Is it TO
hills and mountains exhibit the sterile badness
of many of the New Hampshire hills Can any
agricultural society favor arboriculture sufficient
to offer premiums for raising an acre or ten
acres Of forest trees? Can any body be induced
TO line the road-sides with shade trees or fill any
other place with trees? and almost any trees will
be worth raising. Don't think hemlocks too
craggy and worthless to live, cherish them as a
precious legacy. Let the spruces and birches
grow except where the land is absolutely needed.
Without great care, three more generations will
see your woodlands stripped. Your domestic
fires and your railroads burn wood faster
than it grows, saying nothing Of the con-
sumption by field fires. What would Yer
mont be without abundant timber Your
streams are all diminishing 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-uuts root and grow,
leyerwood, ash, walnut, and IN favorable situa-
tons, oak Cultivate some productive butternuts
and chestnuts, with yellow and white pines. All
these trees would be invaluable, and will add
greatly to the wealth and prosperity of the State
in future years.
Don't say you mean to leave the State soon,
and don't care what becomes of it. Why do you
leave it? Do you hope to see better? That |
better State does not exist. Do you wish to |
wade in mud from SIX inches to two feet deep, |
for SIX months in the year, Do you wish for /
lands that grow about 80 bushels Of corn, 10 |
bushels Of wheat, and one tun of hay to the acre |
on an average, and no more, Thousands and |
hundreds of thousands of acres Of such land,
and this the best there is, may be bought in Hi
nois, in Iowa and Missouri, at an average of $50 .
per acre. Your fencing boards, the poorest. will
cost you everywhere at least $50 per thousand
and every thing you buy in proportion. Would
you exchange your little lot for such situation
Do not look for your paradise towards the setting
sun, for authority says: 1.-The Lord God plant
ed garden eastward in Eden Dress the gar
len you have, and make your picturesque State
glow with parsdisiacal beauty. VERMoNTER.
nton, Ill, March 4th. 1864.