The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-12-21
PLANT TREES.

We cannot in these old woody Atlantic
States appreciate trees as they arc valued
in the great treeless West, where the eye
tires in wandering over the wide expanse of
grass in search Of forest or grove, or
even single tree to break the dull monot-
ony. But the forest is not with us as it
used to be. The stately trees towering
on thousands of acres of woodland which
the painted savage had pursued the deer
among, have nearly all passed away within
the last half century. A half century!
That is long time in the life of man, but
as nothing to the growth of the majestic
oak. But the neglect and ruinOus waste
of our forests has become one of the alarm
ing evils of our time, and every philan-
thropist and agricultural writer is urging
the necessity of reforming this great evil
without delay. Trees are great beauty
as we'll as comfort to the country, and on
the treeless plains of the West, the settlers
from the old States become aware Of this
important fact very soon, and commence
planting trees about their houses and fields.
A few trees planted on every farm in spots
that cannot be profitably cultivated, and
especially along the public roads would in
q short time add much to the beauty and
value of the property. Nothing, if we
except good cultivation. SO beauties a
farm as tastefully arranged rows of trees
on the public road side, lanes and lawns
leading to the house. A great addition in
the enhancement of farm property is over
looked by farmers in not adorning their
places by planting out groves and rows of
forest trees in places where they would
always have an artistic effect. The beauty
which trees never fail to attach to a pro-
perty where they are arranged with judg-
ment and taste, and properly take care of,
is only secondary to their great value in
the future, when wood of all kinds will be in
such demand for building purposes and the
manufacture of implements, that it will be
impossible to fully supply. Some very
useful woods grow very rapidly. Among
them we may name the tulip poplar, the
locust, the hickory and chestnut The
two latter are not of so rapid growth as the
former, but are very valuable woods, and
will make sufficient growth to be of i'm
mense profit in quarter of century.
Timber can not be planted with the hope.
of the present generation reaping the most
benefit from it; but this should be one of
the strongest incentives to every land owner
to replace the diminishing forests, as duty
he owes to posterity which if neglected, he
entails an irreparabe loss on the next gen
Grafton, and damage which they cannot
remedy in their lifetime.
Agricultural societies should direct the
attention of land owners to the Importance
of forest tree planting, and the call at
tentior of farmers to the great obligation
resting upon them to replenish the losts
going on constantly among the forest trees,
Aside from considerations, which we have
referred to, the health and fertility of
country subject to dry and hot summers,
is vastly improved by plentiful distribu
ton of forests. Every year the summer
droughts are becoming more severe and
damaging to the farmer, as the woods are
cut down.