The Russellville Democrat., 1883-05-17
fredericksburg on Farms.

Some wisdom and very much folly
are displayed in the present excitement
about raising forest trees on farms
Many persons are advising farmers to
set out and cultivate any kinds Of trees
they can procure on almost any portion
OF their land. They recommend plant
ing trees along the line of every fence,
about the house and other farm build
ings and in fields and pastures. They
assure farmers that they can easily and
cheaply raise their own fencing, build
ing material and fuel, and never miss
the ground the trees occupy. They
state that the production of hoop-poles,
fence posts, and railroad ties is very
remunerative, that the cheapest way 10
procure fuel is TO raise it, and that trees
sufficiently large for timber can be
raised with suitable care and cultiva-
ton by the time new buildings are
wanted on the place. Marvellous stories.
rarely accurately located, are told
about the profits realized by certain
farmers in the West, who had the FORE
thought and enterprise to set out
groves and single rows of trees at g
somewhat early day. Some declare
that Good crops can be raised between
considerable size. They also state that
large crops of grass and clover can be
raised on the ground that is shaded by
large trees. Some go so far as TO state
that the trees are positive benefit to
the forage crops by keeping OF the heat
of the sun during very hot weather,
and by preventing the too rapid evapo-
ration OF the moisture after rains
b. Many affirm that the presence of trees
near the house has wonderful effect
in purifying the air. They refer TO the
welI-known fact that leaves take up
carbonic acid and other noxious gases
and give out pure oxygen.
Before a farmer having but limited
amount of land decides to plant any
considerable portion of it to trees he
would do well to carefully consider sew
eral matters. He should first decide, if
lie has any great amount of land, to
withdraw from the production OF corn.
small grain, potatoes, vegetables and
grass. If he decides that he has not,
The question of extensive tree-planting
may be considered as settled in the neg
alive. He will find out some time, II he
does not know the fact already, that
forest trees and the ordinary farm cropf
capnot be produced from the same por.
tfof OF land II he has any doubts on
that score he can satisfy himself by
planting potatoes, corn, garden vegeta-
bles, beans and tobacco, and by sowing
grain, grass, clover and other small
seeds in a toierably large grove or for
est and watching the result. A small
experiment will convince him that few
4t,,.a tha had or. mo n
very large growth in soil already oc-
cupied by the roots of trees. Having
become convinced that ordinary farm
crops and forest trees can not be pro-
duced on the same land, he should then
decide whether he is DESTROYS OF raising
the latter at the expense of the former.
He should place but little reliance on
the published stories Of the fortunes that
have been made in raising hoop-poles,
fence-posts, telegraph poles, railway
ties, dimension timber, ship-masts, saw
logs and cord wood till he has seen and
conversed with at least one person who
has realized a fortune in producing
crops OF this kind 1t will be time to
set out single rows Of trees designed for
producing building material when he
sees tall, straight and shapely trees of
any kind except Lombardy poplars
growing by Themselves, whether trans
planted or the product of seed that was
deposited by accident
Most il not all persons will admit the
desrability OF having some trees aside
from those that produce fruit on every
farm Before planting them, however,
they should consider what they want
them for, what varieties will give the
least trouble, which will be the most
valuable for the purpose for which they
are designed, and where they can be
raised to the best advantage and do
the most good. If wood for fuel is
scarce in the vicinity Of the farm the
adyisability of planting some trees for
the production of fuel will scarcely be
questioned. The quick-grow ng varie-
ties of trees furnish soft wood wien is
very inferior for burning, still if there
Is no wood to be obtained it will be well
to plant some willows. poplars. or cot
tonwood that will supply fuel as quickly
as possible. At the same time it would
be advisable to plant trees that produce
better wood for use in more distant
future. Beech, birch, maple, ash, oak,
pecan, walnut and hickory. all produce
utSifdDlt WODu tOf iuCi uC thiVo
win also produce nuts which will give
them an additional value. Several Of
the abovc-named trees. as well as tho
locust. will make good posts and stakes.
The common bass wood or linden has
much to commend it as it grows rap
idly, produces much honey, and it af-
fords a fine shade. The tree is also
beautiful and clearly. For raising trees
in any considerable number that are de-
signed for producing fuel or furnishing
wood 10 be used for mechanical pur-
poses, rough land that cannot be eco
nomically cultivated should be selected
If there is any on the place. Some
trees are desirable for Identifying the
premises. and these should be placed
to give the best effect near the house or
IN plain sight of 1t Ornamental trees
can be planted ON the sides of the road
where they viii not occupy any private
grounds. - Chicago Times