The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-29
farm aud Garden.
The Preservation of Timber.

wasted in the progress of the settlement
of this continent than would be sufficient
to form a permanent stock FOR all our
uses for many centuries to come. But
trees, like their owners, reach their ma
turity, then begin to decay, and finally
die and rot; so that to say that forests
may be preserved to supply perennial
and endless demand for timber would be
mistake, for unless new paintings or
new growths had been made during the
two or three centuries of the occupancy
of the country the original forest would
now lie in ruins, and for the greater part
would have wholly disappeared. So that
when the preservation of forests and OF
growing timber is mentioned one should
understand that the use and renewal OF
them is meant, and not the mere sparing
of the trees from the axe. The popular
and frequent adjuration then, "spare
the forests, "spare the timber trees, -
Sc, which is so often harped upon, is
really absurd and devoid of logic and
common sense as we'll.
The real preservation of timber consists
in the proper use of that which is ma
ture, the removal of that which is past
maturity and is in process of decay, the
proper cultivation of the younger trees,
and the formation of new plantations
In fact, timber is really crop, to be cut
and harvested when it is ripe, and not
permanent meadow to be mown down
and left to grow up again. 1t requires a
proper rotation, too, just as the farm
crops do, for we find in nature that when a
pine forest is cut off hard woods of various
kinds spring up, and where deciduous
trees have been cut off pines occupy their
places. This is seen everywhere and
continually. The denuded pine woods
of the North covered with oak and
poplar, and the old field "pines" of the
South, which were first cleared off, are
instances of this natural desire for rota-
ton, so that the making of new planta-
tons is necessary to the renewal of a
forest growth.
1t is scarcely question of profit; it is
one of necessity, for if farmer does not
plant for himself, where will he procure
in the course of time the timber he re-
'quires for the several purposes of the
farm-the fence posts the fre-wood, the
poles for various uses, the stills and beams
TOR sheds and barracks. 1t will not be
many years before the supply of such
rough and small timber will be exhausted
and will be costly and difficulty to pro-
cure. 1t is necessary, then, to think Of
this subject in a practical manner, to util-
lie the present stock so that it may last
as long as possible and to replace it as
it may be used. 1t is difficult to tell
when tree is ripe for use, and yet if it
is not cut then it rapidly deteriorates in
value. A tree first decays in the centre,
but sometimes, from wounds or unknown
causes, the decay may begin in another
place and nearer the bark But where
ever it begins it spreads with great
rapidity, and the declining vigor of the
tree should be noted as an indication
that decay is imminent Size is a very
deceptive test of trees maturity, and
many of the largest trees will be found
sound when small ones are decaying
Some trees are weak from their youth
These may be known by the rounded
uniform mass of their tops. Vigorous
trees throw out branches irregularly and
spread unevenly. Premature leafng in
the spring and early change of the foliage
IN the fall are true indications of weak
ness and decay. The death of limb, OF
N'Sh VI AVo ohlhllOI OAGIc Is
proof of internal decay SO are small
swollen punches of decayed bark here
and there" trunk knots, " the lumberers
call them-which appear upon the stem
Splitting, cracking, and separation of the
bark In places, are signs Of approaching
death and of far-spread rottenness within
The presence of MOSES, lichens, and
fungi upon the bark or about the roots O,
limbs indicates change of the wood. as
does also the oozing of the sap from
cracks in the bark Trees of this kind
should be cut at once and used as far as
they may be fit, in preference to younge,
or sound ones because if left they RAPIDLY
decrease in value. When tree of this
kind is removed few young ones should
be planted around its stump, or a hand
iul OF nuts of some of the quick-growine
trees-as oaks, chestnuts, hickories, or
Walnuts-may be sown at proper inter
walls. In cutting timber it is we'll to
know the best time for the work, as the
durability depends considerably upon
This. Dry rot and insects-the wood
0orers known as powder pest are the
principal causes Of decay, and the sus-
ceptibility of the timber to these is
greater at one time than another When
The germs of the fungus are ripe and
1Oatlnp in the air eoakino q euito hi O