The weekly Butte record., 1867-01-26

CULTIVATION OF TIMER TREEs.-It Is well
known, says the San Francisco Bulletin, that some
of the more desirable sorts of timber frees do not
abound in this State Forests cit to convert into
ordinary lumber for house building are no, lacking;
and there is good belt OF trees along the noun
tain ranges which will yet furnish materials for fur
niture and agricultural implements.
But we need greater variety of timber trees
The locust ash and chestnut are not Indigenous to
this State. They grow here and there as ornamen-
tai trees, but are never seen in forests. Fxperi-
ments made thus far in growing them have been
successful. The locust especially fioarishes well
as in any country in the world. It's growth is very
rapid the wood is dense aud tough. and the tree so
far as we know, has never been injured very much
by the {" borer." The tree rapidly adapts itself to
all kinds of soil and climate.
At recent discussion in farmer club in New
York, gentleman (formerly President of the State
Agricultural Society showed by facts and figures,
that land could not be put to better than by
planting forests of locust trees for timber. He es
timated that 100 acres of land planted with locust
trees would be worth 81 900 an acre in few years,
when the trunks of the trees were a foot in di
ameter. The expense of cultivation would be com
parativey small and rough land at a moderate
price could be used.
If the value of this kind of tree culture is not
over.tated for New York, may assume that the
statement is good for California. The growth Will
certainly lie more rapid where the climate is so
much mlder and the value of the timber will be
enhanced in market where so little good native
timber is found.
We believe the first experiment is yet to be made
this coast Of setting out forest trees for timber
In Europe they are planted and cultivated with as
much care as are the trees of orchards. And in
the Eastern States much attention has been given
within the last few years to the same branch of in
dustry, and with the most promising results.
The locust tree will mature in ten years in this
State, SO that any number of trees could be fur
nished, from ten to fourteen inches in diameter
large enough for all ordinary The product of
100 acres thus matured. at such prices likely
to prevail here, would certainly insure the produ-
Ger against future want. The risk of the expert
ment would be small, and the promise of success
great, to warrant the undertaking by cautious
men. 1t may be found practical measure to add
to our resources more complete list of timber
trees.
We regard, says the Wilmington Journal, the
foregoing suggestions of the Bulletin, eminently
sound and practical Nature has not been lavish
with all her favors to many parts of California,
and where such great deficiency as the absence
of timber prevails, art and industry must be
brought to bear to supply the want in some meas
ure. Nature has been bountiful to this region Of
country in giving it prolific soil aud delightful
climate, but as complete perfection is seldom seen,
80 fine valley is unrelieved in its wide expanse
by the shade of forest trees which not ouly add to
the beauty of the landscape but serve the necessi
ties of man in many utilitaran purposes. Our
land owners, if they are wise will begin now to
plant trees which will not only increase the value
of their possessions but prove bounty and bless
ing to future generations 1t will be good and wise
to do much for posterity, if We do not reap
any benefit ourselves.