Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1868-10-30
Forest Tree Planting In Germany.


THE following, by a correspondent of
the Iotba Homestead, suggests that, in
some things American farmers might
prohtably initiate their German fellow
laborers
The planting of trees by the road side
has already been noticed. In addition to
the objects already specified, these trees
serve TO prevent the road from being
washed away by rains. But in addition TO
the trees, care is taken to keep the sides of
the road well covered with'a heavy growth
of grass, thus preventing that constant
outlying which we may see on almost any
of our roadsides.
In the wide, alluyial plains, where the
channels of the streams are narrow and
deep, and hence peculiarly inclined to wear
away their banks, the channel is bordered
by one or two rows of trees on each side,
II Is interesting to observe how completely
this simple provision answers its purpose,
A kind of willow is usually selected for
such locations, whose roots branch out to
great extent, and thus confne the soil in
which they are situated. The same pre-
caution is also taken when a large ditch or
channel is dug, no matter how slight may
be the inclination of the surface.
There is no inconsiderabie part of Ger
many that is not available for cultivation,
owing to its elevation above the general
surface, or 20 its roughness, and to the
steepness of its hillsides. If permitted to
lie waste, to remain entirely uncovered
| with vegetation, these lands would be pro
ductive of much damage TO the remaining
surface aside from the loss sustained in
thus allowing them to remain useless
Their rough and barren surface
WAnlH hn nrn1nRfiun nf -,
summer, OF early frosts, and of sud
den changes in temperature-three
points in which Germany is comparatively
n favored land. The beating rains would
also wash the material of these hills down
upon the fertile plains below, and thus
cause much additional damage. All these
| bad results are avoided in very simple
manner. All lands unfit for cultivation
are planted with trees, for whose rapid
growth the soil is adapted. Upon ranges
of mountains of moderate elevation, as
the NarL, for example, thousands of acres
may be seen covered with heavy growth
of evergreen timber which was planted
| perhaps half century ago. The law
does not permit the cutting of these for
ests until they have arrived at certain
age, and then hut definite proportion of
the surface may be cleared at once. The
portion must be Immediately re.planted.
ln this manner otherwise worse than use
less tracts of land are turned to valuable
account The practice of planting trees is
also extended to hill.tops, which are unfit
for cultivation, not on account OF their al
titude, but merely from their steep decliv-
ity. Many small tracts are thus turned
into beautiful and profitable groves.
Another practice interesting TO observe
Is their manner Of preventing washing in
deep and long gorges and ravines. Many
OF these extend for q mile or more down
the mountain sides. The tendency to
wash is very strong, To prevent this,
the slopes of the ravine are planted with
trees, and seeded down with grass. Then
In the bottom, stakes are driven deeply
into the ground, and in rows, across the
bottom. These rows are ten feet or more
apart, depending on the amount of slope
Behind, these, strips are laid and upor
these, branches aud twigs are pressed
down and securely fastened. This serie.
of dams and networks allows the slow
passage Of the water, and ehectnally pre-
vents any considerable amount OF wash
ing,