Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1873-01-03

the sending Of immense qu9Ntities of food
materials to the same places, which only re-
turn to them, if at all, in the shape Of cost
ly superphosphates, poudrettes, etc Does
not the destruction of forests enhance the
severity and variableness of tho climate es-
pecially in elevated situations, and also rem
der the soil of hilly tracts liable to be parched
by summers heat, frozen to q great depth by
winters cold and washed offto the lower lands
by dissoving SHOWS and heavy rains? Further
in the same ratio as the forests disappear, does
not the annual fall of rain and snow so inn
portant to the farmer, decrease in amount
Thus it will be seen that the question of
the preservation and proper management of
forest trees assumes the highest magnitude.
The cultivation and growth Of trees is not
second in Importance to the other great in-
terests of the land owner. But little atten-
tion, however, is as yet given to Il in this
country, although tho legislative bodies Of
England, France, Prussia, Austria, and 9TH
er countries of Europe have taken import
ant steps in the matter. 1t is for the pur-
pose of discussing and inviting discussion Of
the propositions mentioned above that this
paper has been prepared.
The importance of the forests as furnishing
materials for ship-building, building,
machine-building, and numerous other
arts, is so obvious that it must occur to
every one and yet there is great
danger that, in many places, from
false views of immediate economy no
provisions will be made for future gener-
ations In the older states large por-
tion of the timber for the various manufac-
lures is brought from the newer states. In
years to come, hickory, oak, beech, birch,
maple, chestnut, and pine will be wanted
for fuel, pine, spruce, hemlock, chestnut,
beech, birch, and ash for house-building !;
maple, birch, cherry and beech, for furniture !;
also oak, larch, pitch pine and other less
durable timber for ship.buiding. The bas-
ket-maker will want young white oaks, ash
and willow; the plane-maker, beech the
last-maker, maple; the pump-maker, oak and
pitch pine the bucket-maker cedar, spruce
pine, etc.
The value of the timber annually consum-
ed in this country in the erection of houses,
fences, and other structures, is immense.
The quantity used might be greatly dimin-
ished by the construction of the larger and
more costly ediices of stone. If, whenever
possible, buildings were formed of stone,
they would be permanent addition to the
value of the property with which they are
connected, while on the contrary, the pres
ent transient and perishabe structures are a
heritage to be constantly repaired and re-
newed.
Where mills and shops have been estab-
lished for the purpose of changing the rare
products of the forests into manufactured ar
ticles, and particular kinds of timber were
needed, the inhabitants of the towns in which
they were situated were satisfied to import
them from distance. In but few instan-
ces, have systematic efforts been made to
provide a future supply Of the best materials
in their own immediate vicinity. This is
yet to be done. The individuals interested
in particular branch OF manufacture in
wood may say, that when materials fail
them in one place, they will go to another
The landowners ought not to lest satisfied
with this. True patriotism and enlightened
view Of what is necessary for the welfare of
the community, should prevent any one
from consentiug to it.