The Portland daily press., 1875-02-08
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Wood and Wood Lots.


have reached into the interior they have in
creased the value of firewood along their lines,
both by the new and large demand for their
own use, and by the facilities afforded for
transportation to better markets; so that in
many country towns where the same sum of
money will buy ton of coal or two cords of
hard wood, the householder is governed by
taste or convenience in deciding which he will
use. The majority of country residents, and
certainly OF farmers, still make use of wood;
and to them, therefore, the questions of sup
ply, of cutting, hauling, and housing are full
of interest.
Every farm containing one hundred acres
ought to have at least twenty in wood, either
of the original forest, or of land for while
cultivated aud then allowed togrow up of it.
self, or an artificial plantation produced by
sewing or planting. No matter how unfavor-
able the condition may be, from one of these
sources supply may always be within reach.
Land owners who clear part of their wood
lots, cultivate the soil for few years, and
then give it back again to nature, will be sur
PiioCu w oSO INV ioptuiy ~ Will OEcIldhG tuC
undsturbed part of the lot, and how soon it
will surpass it in the amount, quality and
value of its growth. On many farms there
are acres of land either sterile and unproduct-
i've, or rocky ridges, or cold undrained swales,
which without the slightest loss to the own
er might be surrendered to the forest growth
which would spring up spontaneously; thus
giving positive addition to the value of his
property, beside the incidental advantages of
hiding unsightly objects, protecting buildings.
nurseries, gardens and orchards from winds
and the extremes of heat and cold, and draw
ing from the atmosphere elements of fertility
for the ultimate enrichment of the soil. The
best method, although rarely practiced in this
country, is, to select piece of good land, and
then, in accordance with the well-establshed
principles of forestry, to devote it to the cul-
tivation and growth of wood aud timber;
either by sowing the seed, or setting out the
young trees. We have heard of cases where
logs have been cut and hauled to the saw mill
from lots where the traces of the cultivation
of corn some twenty or thirty years before,
were distinctly visible. Here however, the
deserted field was abandoned to the slow
processes of nature, but on the contrary,
when the hand of man prepares the soil and
then sows and plants the forest growth; it is
quite probable that even shorter time will
be required, to mature the harvest of wood
and timber. On such artificial plantations,
the young trees are started much thicker to-
gether, than they are allowed to remain per-
manenty; provision being made for inter-
mediate cuttings, first of poles suitable for
hoops, then the larger growth used for the
stakes and poles of fences, then posts, leav-
ing at proper distances the remainder that
has been reserved for wood or timber Such
systematic and regular entering and cutting
In accordance with the original design, we
can commend; but for ordinary wood lots the
rule should be, cut clear as you 60! The
false economy which suggests the cullng
here and there some overgrown or decaying
tree, ordinarily breaks down and DESTROYS
fourfod value of young and thrifty trees
With an occasional exception, it is far bet.
ter way to suffer the slowly decaying tree to
drop by degrees to the earth, and thus minis
ter valuable top-dressing to the rising I'M
dergrowth. To every one who has the care
of young and growing wood lot, our special
direction would be, keep out cattle, fires, and
yourself; however strong the temptation
otherwise may De, let it alone. The owner
OF lot of twenty acres ready for the axe,
each acre furnishing years supply of fuel,
will find if he cuts clean as he goes, that at
the end of twenty years, the lot is ready for
second cutting. !
The comparatively modern method of pre-
pairing firewood, is much in advance of the
practice so common in former days. Then,
during the season Of summer the main re-
lance was upon the remnants of the winter
wood pile, the chip yard, or some convenient
fence; when the frosts and SHOWS came
this supply was exhausted, and resort was
had to the forest, land through the long months
Of winter the time of thewoodman was
spent in striving to appease the appetite of
those all-devouring fireplaces. By this process
the fires were fed entirely with green wood
and we are not surprised to hear, that fire.
quently it became necessary to send to a
neighbor for live Goals, or blazing brand,
before the morning fire could be kindled.
Now, the man is down low in public esteem
who does not provide for the wants of his
family in part, at least, by filling his shed
with years supply of dry wood. We com
mend the practice of those owners of wood
lots (and in the country every man who can
should own one) who in the fall or early win
ter cut and split their wood into suitable
lengths, generally four feet, and pile it in as
large piles as may be practicable; and then
improve the first good Shedding in carrying it
to market, or their own yards. Better still it
may be, for the farmer whose time is divided
between taking care of his barn and his wood
pile; to draw his wood in sled lengths or long
er, to be cut up at home at his leisure; thus
avoiding deep SHOWS and drifts, and saving
the chips which almost suffice for summer
use.
In preparing wood for stove use, or fire.
places either, we regard it as mistaken econo-
my to expend days of labor as many do in |
splitting it fine, so as to make 'oven-wood' of |
it. With the exception of the moderate |
quantity required for kindling, or cooking |
enough of that is usually |
found already prepared-wood as it comes to |
market, needs no further reducing in sizes;
for all heating purposes the larger it is the |
better.
Sometimes it may not be convenient or \
practicable to put wood under a shelter; in |
such cases whether in the woods or at the |
homestead, it should be carefully piled with |
The bark side up, and if covered with the bark |
Of the hemlock or other trees beside, so much |
The better. But in spite of all such precau-
ions, wood that is exposed to the heat and |
winds and rains of summer, parts with its |
'olidity and weight, and is always Inferior to |
that which has been housed. We do not |
quite approve the practice of packing green |
wood in mid winter, or as soon as it is sawed, |
in close sheds unlesJ sun and air are abund- |
antly admitted, it must deteriorate in quality.
After exposure to the penetrating winds of |
March and April, and the coming warmth of |
no further drying is required; and
lust before or after planting time. the farmar