White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1872-02-08
for' the farluer.
'HG1HCULTURAL.

In one essential mstter-essential to the whole
country, but particularly - to the WestCit
seems TO NJ that Congress may, with great Pro-
priety initiate and encourage great work. We
purpose of improving barren soils sheltering ex-
posed prairies and furnishing timber for domestic
use. It il significant fsct that more than half
Of all the United States Is prairie destitute Of
all the public domain is absolutely trecless.
Throughout the central portions of the country,
Missouri tbs prairies are interspersed with groves
which are rapidly being cut down for use, but
westward there stretches the vast illimitable
plars % the Rocky Mountains, and EDWARDS,
Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Mon
tana; while still further even to the Golden Gates
Of San Francisco and the broad Columbia Cali
fornia, Oregon and Washington embraces tree
less plains larger than the entire State of Yer
mont.
The influence of trees in rendering barren soils
fitted TO- produce corn and other plants which
constitute the food Of man is well understood.
Forests do not exhaust but increase the fertility
Of soils. The gradual Decomposition of organized
face and add an annual deposit Of plant food,
which in time becomes sufficient to afford fertili-
ty to cultivated vegetables and grains.
Examples are not wanting to show the effect Of
tree growth in rendering soil productive. In
Europe, where attention has been directed to
unproductive and comparatively worthless, have
been brought into high state Of fertility by first
covering their barren surfaces with trees.
The effect of trees upon climate is well worry
ence in regulating the temperature preventing
extremes either of heat or cold, and modifying
the hygrometrical condition Of the atmosphere.
The disappearance Of the streams in the noun
tains Of Greece and the sulfry atmosphere
and drouth of tho Cape de Verde Islands are attr-
,taI <n tha alrf fares
crease the humidity of the air, and in densely
wooded jungles where the climate is unhealthy
to animal life from . superabundance of moisture,
q great improvement follows the clearing of the
forests as has been experienced in the neighbOr-
hood of Rio de Janeiro.
But the greatest value, in aniagricultural view,
Of trees the prairas is the shelter they afford.
1t is now very generally conceded, by those whose
experience entities them to an opinion, that sue
cessful fruit culture is greatly dependent upon
issOlation from sweeping winds.
Every agriculturist can furnish evidences of
the value Of local shelter upon his crops Plan
ting trees shelter upon the sea coasts has long
been practised with the best results, and many
otherwise unpr0ductve lands have been made
available by this means.
In this matter hOrticulturists are much in adj
vance of agriculturists; but although the opera
tions of the former, being confined to smaller
areas, admit more readily of artificial protection,
the principle as well the results applica-
are informed by those whose authority on this
subject must be recognized, that the great wants
of Western agriculturists are live fences and
sheltering belts of trees.
When we come to consider the indispensable
requirements of lumber for domestic purposes, no
arguments is necessary to show the importance of
providing for q crisis that, under present rates of
consumption, must occur at no very remote pc
Rod. 1t has recently been estimated that in
thirty wears the whole region east of the Missis-
sipPi will be stripped of everything available for
lumber purposes and even as regards supply of
fuel the material is diminishing very fast.
1t is most truly the part Of wisdom to provide
against a result 80 apparent, and guard against
SO disastrous.
As to the best means of encouraging tree cul-
ture, OF the mode in which government aid would
be most valuable, We are not prepared to decide.
We have no plans to offer. The practical applica-
ton of the above suggestions must be left to
competent persons; but that it is matter loudly
recognition by the Government,
which owns many millions of acres of unproduc-
tive territory, We firmly believe.-Washington
Chronicle.