Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-05-09
The Value of Forest Timber.

inunicatlon on planning trees IN our VII
lagos, for ornamental purposes, which is
a subject worthy of consideration. But
there is another subject which is collat-
eral to this, that is attracting much at
tention, and should receive grave con-
sideration, - even here in Vermont,
where our forests and timber lands have
been usually considered to be inexhaus-
table 1t is not for our own use entire
" that the present generation should be
thoughtful, but to provide for those who
shall come after us is duty not to be
neglected. The vast supplies for our
railroads and lumber for our own con-
sumption and expectation are rapidly
thinning our once thrifty and noble for
ests. 1t is therefore even at this time,
when there appears an abundance for
this generation, the supply of the future
should demand our attention, and with
view of calling attention to the sub
ject, we propose to consider the sub
ject in this article.
An experienced observer says: "There
are few kinds Of business among men
which uniformly, year after year, pay
as high interest or profit as the growth
OF forests" Careful observation and
tests in different parts of our country,
prove that the growth Of various kinds
of trees Is equal to ten to fifteen per
cent annually; that is, they increase in
value and size at that rate every year,
without labor or cost, other than the
tax and interest on the land, which can
be all made up, in any ordinary forest,
either by pasturage or by cutting-out
the forest, and thickest, with raking up
rotted leaves and mold for compost
heaps, and which will still leave the for
est to grow at least more in value than
the common Interest on the money.
And many sorts of trees such as pines,
spruces, walnut, locust, elms, naples
and many others-where they are plant
ed in fields and cultivated with other
erops-frequently make even greater
growth than has been stated, when the
ground is kept in good condition for
growing crops, or with meadows fairly
top-dressed.
Then we say to all sections, it is wise
lit is a duty-to grow timber either by
allowing good share of the natural for
ests to stand and be trimmed up or by
planting new ones in their absence,
There is no vandalism more ruinpus or
any destruction so destructive as the
reckless and unstinted extent to which
most people cut away the timber in
many regions of the country, as well as
the bad taste and unwise policy which
too often prevails as to where to cut off
the forests from their farms,
There should, nowhere, be more cut
than is necessary to clear sufficient fields
for proper cultivation-not to get the
largest fields possible, but only such MS
can be well and thoroughly cultivated
it is far better to lay out more labor on
a smaller lot and get larger yield there
by, than to eXpend the same labor in
clearing larger lot, to be cultivated
less thoroughly; for the standing timber
Is all the time, to some extent, increas-
ing in value Then, in all cases, both
for the sake of the wealth and comfort,
the clearing off should always begin, il
is said, in the direction of the rising and
uoou-day sun, and advance toward his
setting; then when really needed for
more lots that can be properly cultivat-
ed, always clear toward the north and
west that the morning and meriden sun
may be enjoyed, and the force and chill
of the north and west winds be destroy
eel or warded off, both from the dwelling
and the stock. BY this process, too,
any possible fogs and malarious vapors
will be lifted earlier in the day and dis
slpated by the suns rays These are the
intelligent observations of those who |
have long given the subject attention.
Some persons are so short-sighted or
selfish they will not think Of the future, |
and leave trees for those who come
after, nor will they plant them because |
they may not live to enjoy their growth;
not so with the vigorous old Roman |
father, who, though already bent and |
whtened with eighty winters, was found |
planting trees with great care,- and
when saluted with the remark that one
SO old could not live to enjoy the results,
rose up proudly and replied, True, but
am Planting them against the time the
boys come home from the wars, weary
and worn; when they will need shade,
and rest and fruit. The same spirit
should actuate us in this too destructive
age of steam railroads and furnaces.
Mexico Tie revolutionary army
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