New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-27

small limbs and bark having fallen. the trunk
and large limbs. almost white. become very prom
inent marks of the destruction of these valuable
forest trees. The cause of death l have never
heard explained to my satisfaction the loss of
much valuable timber will be felt in the future
more than now. for the people while they had II
never appreciated it's value
There are a great many kinds of trees growing
and wasting in all the Southern States which would
have great commercial value in the hands of the
great wood-wOrkers OF New England, where even
white birch tBeir'a dl5r and spruce trees not six
inches IN diameter are gathered from almost mac
cesSible hills. and converted into Numerous useful
articles vast quantities of which sent for sale
TO people who live in forests If far better timber II
did not know that all run in ruts, should ex
pect to see some Of the saw-ms cutting oak, hick-
DRY, black walnut. ash, maple. magnolia ~ grand
foiid red hay Taurus CarOiReiisisl, gum,
safras, mulberry. and several other sorts for the
Northern market, which they have so overstocked
with pine that those engaged in its production
annot obtain fair bOard-wages
HE PAIMFTTO.
Among other valuable Southern trees. the Pal
metto, cabbage tree. or cabbage palm (Ndbai Pal
setto should have a much higher rank tnan Is
Usually accorded TO it by writer's in the common
practice of people where il grows for II is the only
known wood Of which wharyes can be built in salt
water to Withstand the destructive work of the
teredo-the sea-wOrm which bOres away "a ships
bottom in a few months. # unprotected by copper.
| have seen great pine tlmbers rendered utterly
worthless by these numerous little animals. which
| was told had not been submerged more than a
year. 1t is this quality OF the palmetto logs to re-
slst the teredo which makes them SD valuable and
as they are of only little value for any other pur-
pose, they wantony DESTROYED us other forest
trees. very common mode of destruction of the
tree is cutting ont the terminal bud of Young trees
for food. This substance some what resembles the
stalky part of a cabbage head, and is cooked
and eaten IN the same way. Hence the name Of
cabbage palm. Its proper habitat is the sea
,oast and banks Of the lower end of rivers, south
Of Cape Fear. ali the way round into the Gulf,
though seldom growing thick enough to form a
forest of tins tree exclusively. They often seen
IN small clumps. and sometimes a single tree forms
a wc-known landmark. One II the singularltles
of the palmetto is that it has no limbs and tine roots
are equally destitute of large branches. In these
and in tae appearance OF the body there Is resem-
bance TO the cabbage The leaves of thrifty
young tree are to feet across. with leafstalks
TO feet long. set upon the body by remarkably
curious network. resembling woven cloth. The
lower rug of leaves falls away each year, winch
gives the bOe succession o. well marked rings
which only disappear upon the lower part Of very
old trees.
Formerly the terminal leaves Of the Palmetto
were much used as material for braIds, brushes
and other work, which also helped along their
destruction; hut of late wears the braiders have
found substitute IN the leaf-buds OF the saw-pal-
metto lSabal SoraIatal, the Dwarf Palmetto - Id
aRsonii aud he Blue .lmetto. ChamrDoPs Hgs'rir.
a. MI of these are much easier obtained than tie
cabbage palm. These plants grow abundanily
upon all the Southern coast range They some
times form a dense scrub, miles N extent, making
about the worst land to clear for cultivation that
is TO he found anywhere upon Uncle SANS broad
domain; since what would be rhe boles of trees
growing upright are here prone upon the ground,
criss-cross ana interocked, with roots beneath and
clamps OF leaves on top ut every JOINT. These
leaves are from one to three feet broad. upon leaf
stalks two to four feet long. are made MP of strong
fbres. capable of minute separation. not only for
braids and brushes. but INTO ilne hair-like sub
Stance used for mattresses. Some late experiments
indicate this material be suitable for paper stock
particularly where an article of great strength and
cheapness Is required.