The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-11-02
MANAGEMENT OF TIMBER.
From the Prairie Earn

From the Prairie Farmer.
Generally the first thing done by set
tiers III timbered cOuntry is to wage /,
war Of determination against all tree
growth. They appear to look upon b
tree as natural cumberer OF the ground
whose doom is to be felled to the earth
and burned up. 1t is true, in wonded
districts, clearings for cultivation must
hr made but why not leave some of tn,
most comedy and aged trees, also some o.
younger grown, for Ornamentatjon and
Cor shade? On all farms there are sites
on which a good reserve of such trees
could be made, without in the least in
'er.ering with such grounds as should be
kept open for cultivation. A little eX
ercise OF taste and forethuugh wouln
mend matters very mucn For example,
If instead OF wholly stripping the ground,
young trees were left to form groups al
desirable points, it would at once render
the landscape agreeable, afford grateful
shade to man and animals from the
scOrching summer sun or, by litrlr
care, trees enough could be retained in
situations where they would act as wind
breaks,to shelter all the occupants of the
farm from the biting blasts OF wnteI
which sweep over the country.
Nothing is more absurd then to destroy
aged or youthful trees, and then set ahout
planting anew. Why cannot standing
timber be SO thinned at the time improve
ments are made and at once secure the
best natural protection for f1ocks and
growing crops How much comtOrt,aDd
how chcaply it couldsbe secured to the
tenant of dwelling and Of the farm by
surrounding them with trees or at
suitable points by retaining groups and
belts
Why can we not also recognize the
fact that even in our best timbered DIS
trlcts fuel will soon be wanted, and that
trees for this purpose could be gradually
hinned so those which were left might
be ornamental to the farm and favorite
range for stock. In addition to the need
for fuel for household convenience there
is soon to be, in fact is already,a pressing
demand for young timber for various
mechanical uses, such for instance, as
cabinet work, carriage building, cooper
age, likewise for railroad ties and for
other uses. For all the needed supply
should be grown as near the points where
it is needed as possible. Why not, then,
reserve such as is already partly CLOWN,
and which would soon be large enough
for use, and be Of great profit, rather
than cut all away, that new beginnings
may be made
There seems to be at this
time great need of intelli
gent direction in the treatment
OF the sparse forest grounds which are
scattered here and there in the prairie
like islands, but which are daily subject
ed to the acts OF the ruthless goths and
vandals who have laid waste other
districts, and who now, as a temporary
speculation, stand ready to despoil these
sylvan retreats of grand old oaks, hick
cries and elme. For many of the more
beautiful trees found in these islands
groups, centuries were required to perfect
them, and yet these objects of beauty,
which generations must wait for from
human paintings, must be laid low to
crafty the utilitarian scheming of some
Spectator in improved lands, or Of some
backwoOdsman who after having con
signed to oblivion the forests Of one region
moves on as civilization advances, to
o. hers yet remote. Gould these timbered
tracts be kept intact until those who
follow came IN possession, there would
then be some chance that the clearings
which 1t would be desirable 10 make,
would be so ordered that utility and
Ornamentation would be so combined as
to make these groves, what nature has so
admirably designed, centers of rural taste,
from which the inhabitants of the open
prairie could study and learn the graceful
forms OF our aged native trees and vines,
as we'll as the variety and beauty ever to
be found In these natural landscapes.
Moreover, it seems Of the greatest i'm.
portance since men will speculate in
lands, which they do not themselves
intend to occupy, that they should re.
cogniZe the importance of this subject.
and see to it when clearings are to be
made, under theii direction. that it is
done according to some plan whereby a.
plentiful supply of trees are retained for
shade for the comfort of men and animals,
also for ornamentation and for the pro
lection of growing crops. Ifsuch state
of things could be brought about how
different it would be from the present
treatment OF these sylvan sites, where
ruthless axes welded by relentless pio-
neersmen, before whose fell strokes eyery
tree, even to the smallest sapling, is
humbled to the earth and in whose with
ering steps naught remains but unsightly
stumps and the rude cabins of these
mercIless destroyers.
The wide spread destruction of our
native forests, which each year is renewed
about this time, is such that those who
hold the control of woodlands would do
well to ponder and reflect, whether after