Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-03-15
Plant Timber Trees.

The rapldlty with when our UNIV 40
disappearing, and the almost total neglect
of any means of renewing it, calls Tor the
earnest consideration of every thoughtful
man. And now at the commencement OF
winter. when the sound of the AK begins
to be heard in almost every wood lot,
wish to call attention to the subject OF pre-
serving our timber. There is the more
need of cline upon line and precept upon
precept." this season than usual, as the
breakdown in prices of most farm products
and the consequent small cash results real
lied from the past seasons labOrs, presents
a strong temptation to enter the wood lot.
The reasons why this temptation should be
resisted, are numerous and need not be
stated here Chief among them is the |
ameliorating influence of timber belts on
the climate, the tendency in all countries |
denuded of timber is toward climate ex-
| tremes That is to seasons of drouth, or OF
superabundance of rain, or of remarkable
heat or of great cold,
Violent winds sweeping over a sparsely
timbered country often do great damage,
and no greater damage to anything than to
fruit. give it as the results of my obser-
walton, extending through some ten years,
that violent winds at a low temperature,
say from deg above to deg. below zero,
are more likely to kill the buds of peach
and cherry trees than a much lower tenn
perature with no wind | have examined
peach buds after "cold snap" when the
mercury sank from 2 deg to 20 deg. below
zero, and found them sound, and afterward
found them killed by temperature much
higher, accompanied by a violent wind. OF
course much was due to the suddenness Of
the changes, but they are often due to the
violence of the wind and this again to the
want Of timber.
One of the best farmers in this neighbOr
hood adopts the plan of planting out tim
: Der trees in the vacant places in his wood
7 land, and trims up and cares for such young
sprouts as may come up of themselves,
cutting out only such timber annually as
| will improve no more by standing. Much
f of his timber is sugar maple, and the yield
t of sugar and syrup yearly affords with such
= timber as he cuts therefrom, a constant in
: come without diminishing eitherthe size
d or value of his wood lot.
It | would suggest this subject Of presery-
e ing timber we already have, and encourag-
d ing the planting of waste places with trees,
If as a fruitful field Of effort for our agricul-
r tural societies If the managers could be
it induced to divert some Of the premiums
l. offered on the trotting courses TO the en-
" enlargement Of tree planting, much good
is might ensue. There are hundreds Of acres
l. of broken land hill-sides, ravines, wet and
q swampy lands, always difficult and seldom
n profitable to cultivate, that if set to sucl
L. varieties of timber as were adapted to thei
-y soil and situation, and at the same TIM
so valuable for fuel or timber, would in a fey
Of years amply repay their owners in the en-
q HANGED value Of the land.
a Americans are too prone to do every
" thing for the present and nothing for tn
tn future. In urging on my neighbors tn
It's necessity of preserving and planting tim
X Der trees, | often meet the remark, 81 hay
NC timber enough to last as long as live, an
A. after me the next generation must tax
in care of themselves" This is altogether
-et short-sighted policy, for supposing all tn
ri waste places and steep hill-sides were st
Ill, to timber, in ten years the ameliorating e
I'm feet on the climate would repay the COS
IRE without counting the value of the trees.
Ire may mention in this connection anotht
Ter bensft likely to result from the planting
by that of the increase Of birds. With the d,
IL struction of the forests many kinds Of birC
go have gone, both song birds and game bird
nd and as the birds 20 out the insect. come
he and multiply and destroy and have tia
)s- their own way with many kinds Of fruit.
ac- Darwin tells that I certain common
pie England was once fenced in, and soon gre
he up to evergreens. In few years sever
INT species of birds, before unknown to tn.
oes part fthe island, made it their home
nit the enclosure. The increase of timber wi
ice do more to repopulats the woods, grow
, is and lawns with birds, and thus help ito sta
nd the "insect plague" than all the laws TIL
IN have been enacted for the preservation
the birds and game.
Up There is one other reason for plantir
up trees, and more particularly evergreens f
ed. wind breaks, and that is to abate the sno
fit bank nuisance. In many sections of ii
is State travelling in the winter IS often diff
ge- cult, sometimes dangerous, and frequent
ro- impossible for days together, and this nu
ans sance will continue and increase until son
of concerted effort at tree planting is made.
ari- In selecting varieties the nature Of Il
or soil, the situation, the rapidity Of growf
ON and value Of timber should be taken in
we'd account. On hill sides of clay loan SC
has where limestone prevails, sugar maple m;
eep be planted with hope of profit both fro
as timber and sugar. Elsewhere the viii
In elm, chestnut, black walnut, white ceda
of tamarack, and even the water elm, are 8
ter easily grown and valuable, ana most gro
not quite rapidly.
ron " p : Cayupq co Y y