The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-12-26
Timber Culture.

THE question Of the supply of timber
in this country has been regarded as
an important one by those who have
given the matter any attention for a
number of years. That there has been
a reckless destruction of forests is pain
fully evident, and appeals have fire.
quently been made to have the waste
stopped; though for years they have
been nearly futile. 1t is noticeable
fact that one prominent idea possesses
the average American, and that is that
his country is absolutely boundless in
resources. He can conceive of the
coming of no time when he shall not
find an exhaustless supply of every
thing which the land produces. Fol-
lowing the dictates of this idea, he has
been raising wheat until the wheat belt of
the country has moved westward a thou
sand miles. Following the dictates of
this idea, ne has leveIed the forests,
until the cry is now being everywhere
heard, What shall we do for timber?
With this protiigacy has come inev-
liable unfavorable results, which
have added to the natural expense
of profigacy. Sections of the coun-
try which for many years never
knew what drought was, have been
scorched until they were almost as
tlowerless as deserts; and people could
not conjecture the cause of the vista
ton. Hurricanes and tornadoes nave
swept unimpeded across portions of the
country that never before knew what a
destructive wind was. This has been
tho picture in many sections which
once were protected by forests.
Gradually the people III these sections
have come to see the cause, or partial
cause, and woodman spare that tree''
is getting to be the almost universal
command.
But while the profligates have been
led to see their error, Che occupants of
the treeless prairies have also been ben
Gifted by the lessons tau xht the former.
and in addition, having been urged by
necessity, have sought to cultivate what
they had not. The result is partially
shown in the two millions of acres
which during this year have been de-
voted to timber culture. In those
parts in which this is being done, there
will soon be found to be beneficial
changes in climate and greater free
dom from devastating winds, which
alone will probably pay for the trouble
and expense. Every one can see that
a forest is windbreak, even if he
should deny, as some do, that trees are
a preventive of drought; and if this is
admitted, then it must follow that ev-
cry tree is windbreak.
Therecklessness with which our for
ests have been destroyed was well il
Illustrated some time since by the re-
mark of gentleman of Michigan to
the writer, with reference to row OF
trees, of natural growth which fringed
a farm, and were left by the original
i settler. Said the gentleman: "When
we consider the eagerness of the early
settlers to get their land cleared, and
the American disposition to cut down
every tree that could be found, re-
gard that row of trees, now such a
magnificent windbreak, as a wonderful
monument of good Judgment" and il
was.
Now the practical lesson to be
learned from all this is to spare the
trees that are now growing and to
plant. new ones. Some are deferred
from doing this by the selfishness which
prevents them from doing anything
from which they will not reap the
profit. If it were true that the owner
of land would not likely reap any profit
from the planting of forests trees, it il
a strange feeling that would SO shut
himself within himself that he should
have no heart to do anything for the
good Of posterity. Such q feeling
would lead man to care nothing fol
the preservation of his Government
after he was through with it, which
would be something akin to treason
But the vast majority of men sciN real
the benefit of timber culture. In many
parts of the country trees grow rapid
", and even if man should be so fa1
advanced in age that he would moi
likely see his newly-planted grove
reach such maturity as to be of any
practical use, the very moment grove
is planted, it enhances the value o.
the farm, and there is immediate profit
-Western RurGl.
1t is now thought that the thirteen
inch footprints in the Connecticutsand
stone were made by Chicago CIR
baby.-N. Y. Graphic.
| Rev. VIM. H. CHAPMAN. Pastor of NJ. f
Church, Georgetown, D. c., writes: ''IIavinl
had an opportunity to test the excellent quail
titles Of DR.. Bulls Cough Syrup, I hesitate no
to say, it is the best remedy have ever use,
! in my family"