Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-02-01

The Census Bureau reports that wood is
used by three -fourths of the inhabitants of
the United States for cooking and warm
ing dwellings. 1he statement seems im-
probable TO persons who live in cities or
in any portion of the Western States,
where soft coal Is found IN great abun-
dance. In these places il is rare to find
wood employed rs fuel for other purposes
than that of kindllng fires. During the
past few years coal has been generally
substituted Tor wood on cars and steam
beats In nearly all paris of the country,
as well as fer generating steam in manu-
featuring establishments run by steam
power. 1t must be remembered, however
that the ma iority of the inhabitants in the
country live IN rural districts that are not
supplied with coal, and where cons'dera-
bic wood stili remains that is valuable for
little else than fuel. This is the case in
all the New England and most of tho Mid
die and Southern States. Nearly every
farmer has a wood lot from which he OBJ
tains his supply of fuel. Many haul wood
TO the nearest town to sell. As there is
no money outlay for this kind of fuel 1t Is
used instead of coal, which must be pur-
chased for cash. Persons who have been
accustomed TO the use OF wood for fuel
are generally reluctant TO abandon it.
Their preferences and prejudices are all in
favor of wood, and they continue 10 use it
till they are compelled TO make a change.
Many persons have their houses fitted up
with stoves and fire places for burning
wood, and do not wish TO change them.
Many old persons who have been accus-
toned to the use of wood all their lives are
reluctant TO commence TO burn coal. They
dislike the smoke it produces, and believe
IFS use renders houses unhealthy.
1t is evident, however, that coal will
take the place of wood IN nearly all portions
of the country within q very short time.
The forests are being destroyed very fast,
and little Is beng done in most parts Of
the country - reproduce them. Much IS
said and written IN favor of cultIvating
forest trees for producing wood for fuel.
There is much question, however, about
the economy of raising trees for furnishing
fuel in most parts of the country. Trees
that furnish good fuel are of slow growth
unless they are planted on soil that will
produce good crops of corn, small grain
and other articles that have ready sale.
Few varieties Of hardwood trees will at
tain growth sufficient to make good
cord wood in less than twenty years. AT
ter that period, according to the estimates
made In foreign countries, the annual
growth will amount to about one cord per-
acre. Ii is necessary, however, in orcer
10 keep up the producti7eless OF the forest
e.lr fx.f
exhibit marks of decay, from limbs or
from young trees that interfere with the
growth OF others. The expense OF plant
ing and cultivating forest is cJnsiderable
and twenty years is long tire to wait for
any return. The crops that can be pro-
duced on piece of ground in twenty
years will bring in large sum. Some
persons who are carried away with the
prospective profits Of forest-tree growing
state that considerable grass can be raised
on land manly occupied with forest trees.
In point of fact, the grass that can be
grown on land covered with forest trees
amounts to very little. Ii contains little
substance, as may be seen by curing it for
hay. Il cannot be cut with machine,
and 1t Is very difficult to cut il with q
scythe. II may be eaten By stock while
II Is green, but the animals will be likely
10 do much damage to the trees.
Coal, if pains be taken to secure il at
the proper time, is cheap. IL needs no
preparation for the stove, crate or furnace.
1t can be preserved in a much smaller
space than wood. and is injured less by ex-
posure if 1t is unprotected. 1t is much
more convenient to use if fire is to be
kept up constantly. In many places in the
west a ton of coal can be bonght for the
cost of preparing cord OF wood for the
fire. For fuel to use daring cold weather,
coal is for the most part generally pcefera-
bic to wood. For cooking during warm
weather, wood is in some respects superior
10 cosl. il seems likely, however, thst
oil stoves will drive both coal and wood
from the kitchen during the summer
months. If the cooking stove is used at
all during warm weather it will be for
laundry purposes. Of course some wood
will be wanted for kincling fires at all
seasons of the year, and tie softer kids
Of woods will answer for this purpose. A
small amount of wood. however fills the
requirement for kindlIng fires, if it Is pre-
pared as 1t should be. 1t should be cut
with a saw to avoid waste, and split fine.
When dry, it should be placed under ver.
The pile should be elevated from the ground
50 that the bottom sticks Will not become
wet. The building where it is kept should
not be so tight that air will not freely cir
culate through II, fer if il is the wood
may be greatly injured by the dry rot.
When wood is LETT out of doors for con-
siderable time, 1t should be piled with the
bak upward. If placed In this manner
the bark will remain on the sticks, and
be of nlucn value, according to its bulk, as
the portions OF wood TO which it is at
tached. The bark of most kinds of wood
kinules easily and produces much heat.
If sticks of wood are piled with the bark
downward. water gets between the bark
and sticks and causes the former to drcp
of, or TO rot.