The National tribune., 1883-02-15
NOTES AND EXTRACTS.
A Digest Of Information Collected From Various
Sources.

Sources.
There is constant and increasing demand
for forest products, and a growing necessity
for the prevention of the wholesale destruction
of woodlands by fires. As matter of dollars
and cents, we cannot afford to have forests
burn. The actual losses from this source are
truly enormous. The census for 1880 will soon
teach in larger figures the extent of this de-
struction. In 1880 there were nearly Ia, 900 acres
burned over in Massachusetts, alone In Penn
sylvania, where the lumber interests are second
to Michigan, the losses for the same year were
above $3,000,000. Forest fires not only destroy
the trees, but ourn up the fertility of the soil,
which is a greater loss than the wood. If only
a part of the wood alone was destroyed, the
same kind of trees would continue to grow;
but when swept clean of everything it requires
ages to bring back the same kind of conditions
and the same kind of trees. For example, in
case of the white pine-the most valuable for
est tree in New England-weeds spring up on
the burned soil, followed by brakes, and later
by Willows &c. In this way the soil is again
clothed with vegetation, and after generations
the pines may again come in. Forests are SUBJ
ject to many dangers, but fires lead the list
There is now very little inducement to plant
trees, and this will continue so long as public
sentiment is such that authors of forest fires
are not responsible for their destructive work.
Capitalists will not risk money in New Eng
land in forest growing when it is open to such
destructive influences. Forest fires could be
much reduced in number by proper precautions
Locomotives originate the larger part of the
forest fires. These should all be provided with
spark consumers. A legislative act to this eff
feet is needed. Another should provide that
all parts of trees left in the woods should be
gathered and carefully burned. A criminal
act is also needed for the punishment of all
who shall maliciously set fire to growing wood.
1t is still more important that public opinion
be educated. A full understanding of the forest
question is the best guarantee that the woods
will be protected and receive the attention that
they deserye.-Prof c. S. Sargents lecture on for
est fires.
THE SUGAR CROP.
The season has been unusually favorable for
the growth and maturing Of sugar cane, and
one of the largest crops of recent years is as
sured. The Department returns Of results have
not yet been received, as it is yet too early to
obtain full data of the manufacture. The indi-
cations, however, favor an aggregate of. the
Louisiana crop exceeding 100000 hogsheads
of sugar, probably not less than 250,000,000
pounds.
The sorghum experiment. has resulted the
present season in the production of good grade
of sugar, manufactured at an apparent profit, in
three factories, one of which produced $4,000
pounds, and in experimental production of
small quantities at several points in the North
NSSI. no aggregate Will cACccO OUO,OOU
pounds.
Beet sugar has been made successfully for
three successive seasons in California, at one
factory. The Maine factory, which was in ope-
ration three years, producing in one season
100000 pounds and in another 100000
pounds, was obliged TO suspend operations for
want of beets which farmers, inexperienced in
sugar-beet culture, thought they could not af
ford to produce at the prices viz, So to So per
ton, the average production being ten tons per
acre.
The season has been favorable for the pro-
duction Of a good quantity of sorghum strip,
and the reports concerning quality indicate
gradual improvement in the methods Of defcca-
ton and clarifying. There has been marked
increase IN area in some sections of the South
and West.-Ffom Report Of The Commissioner Of
agriculture for 1882.
THE CURcUL1o.
Speaking of the curculio Prof Riley says the
plum curculio is found and easily shaken down
from the tree, while the apple curculio hangs
on and is dislodged with the greatest difficulty.
The plum curcuio transforms in the ground,
the apple curculio in the fruit. Insects Of this
character can be trapped by laying pieces of
bark or wood around the trees early in spring.
The curculio will gather under them, and can
be easily destroyed. The work of tho curculio
is principally done during the night; they
work some also in daylight; but many more
can be caught by the shaking-down process at
evening and early in the morning. Shaking is
the great and only efficient remedy yet discov-
ercd and if faithfully performed once day,
from the time the fruit is formed until it is
ripened, viii probably save, in most seasons,
more fruit than would be profitable to leave
upon the tree. He recommends the same treat
ment for peaches also, where the curculios pre-
vail.
BITTER MILK.
Bitter milk is matter of frequent occurrence
every fall and winter, or soon after the cows
are of from grazing 1t is caused first by bit
ter herbs in the hay, such as May weed, Johns
wort, &C., and also by the use of too much over
ripe food, such as straw, corn stover or late cut
hay. 1t never occurs when cows are fed on
good food, and are thriving or even holding
their own and are kept comfortably warm.
GRAZING WHEAT
Texas farmer, by turning his sheep in his
wheat III the autumn, and allowing them to
Craze during the winter and spring when the