New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-11
TREE CULTURE AT PUBLIC COST.

Only One-thirteenth OF the timber surface OF tho
Province of Ontario has been cleared 100000
acres still remain in forest, and yet legislators
and the press agtatlng the subject of tree plant
ing and preservation with wise cOncern, and more
or less reasonable suggestion of ways and means
| One bill lately under consideration was especially
framed with rhe view Of encouraging local effort
which, Of course. the re-clothing OF woodland
ought to and must depend "The mere granting
vf subsidy" The Toronto Globe well says often
has a pauperizng rather than stimulating effect"
If any aid is 10 be extended from the public funds
lot it be to those who nelp themselves.
Tho leading feature OF tho Dominion bill, The pro-
visions OF which we summarize as a notable contri
tuition 10 the current literature of the important
subject. makes 1t legal for any municipality
city. town or vllage-to pass bylaw for paying
out of the public funds bonus of any sum not ex
ceedng twenty cents" for each tree planted-at
distances thirty feet apart G-alOng farm bound
lines the same to be joint property of the ada
cent owners and by roadsdes. the latter to belong
to occupiers of the contiguous land. but not to be
cut down without permission OF |" the authorities"
The allowable trees named Tor the purpose ash,
Eastwood, beech birch, butternut, cedar. cherry.
chestnut. elm hickory, maple oak. pine. sassafras,
spruce. walnut, wildwood. HemlOck and locust
arc also suggested. aud for tho word whitewood'
silver eayed sort" 70 these our Toronto contcm-
porary would add tall, free-growing apples and
pears. as handsome and useful. No more enjoy
able drive can be imagined than through lanes
of apple blossoms. II the public should make free
with tho fruit who would DO the loser and the
farmer can mcasdraLly secure himself the lions
share of the crop by the simple expedient of plant
ing winter kinds only" This pomOlOgcal practice.
as CT readers remember is general in some parts OF
Europe where oVerseers prime and keep the trees,
and. on regular beat during the rpenlng season,
protect the attractive harvest from which enough
l. sometimes realized to than pay for maintain
ing in excellent coalition the public roads whose
borders, enriched by the wash OF fertzing material,
are thus devoted to beauty and benefcent use.
Local inspectors appointed by the " muncipali-
ties" TO report once annually TO the councils"
tho names OF planters number of kinds set out that
the have been in place at least three years and
are healthy and in good FORM" This showing sub
mIttsd to TIE Provincial treasurer that Ot1cial
shall refund to tho municipality one-haif OF the
| money TINS paid ont for bonus Such appropria-
tion would il IS thought have the effect Of starting
enterprise in the direction OF ornamental and use
ful forestry which would finally "run itself" as its
advantages became obvious to all concerned. If,
say twenty cents por tree given at cost equally
divided between local and general tax The GObe fig
ures that the proposed Government appropriation OF
$50 would leave at tho end of the three years half
q million trees, which, set In double line, would
stretch along roads APO miles, to the added wealth
OF the district since no farmer who has row OF
such trees along tho front of his premises would
look at an offer of dollar apiece tor them." 1t
would also greatly Improve the appearance OF TIE
country and not DO without effect against de-
structivo winu-stvrms. The statute books of our
own State bear, we believe. law somewhat similar
to this the premium to be deducted from road-tax.
To what extent it has beeu ayaled of we are not in
formed We make no attempt to judge us to the wis
dom Of any such Government nid but 10 Is GER
tany safe to say that the Ontario plan Is a great
deal less open to objection than the usual schemes
emanating from hungry amateurs in close proxim-
ity TO the public crib.