The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-25
Should Farmers Raise Wood?

Chicago Tribune
Obviously those who have natural forests
should not They will have a sufficient supply
of fuel if they pay enough attention to the trees
that nature has planted, They should encour-
age the growth of trees in every way possible
They must keep cattle out of the wood lot, as
they will break down sprouts that spring up
around stumps, trample on young trees, and
bite off many branches of trees of quite large
growth. Many kinds of trees, as certain var-
cites of oak, are killed by having cattle tramp
the soil above their roots. A farmer who has
ten acres in natural or artificial forest can, by
judicious management, obtain his fuel from it
without impairng its permanent value The
lower branches of trees in forest or grove in
variably die as the the trees increase in height
They should be removed with a saw before
they show signs of decay Their presence on
the tree is injurious to it. They are easily pre-
pared for fuel as they require no splitting
Trees of any size that have attained their full
growth, which have received injuries from any
source or have ceased to be vigorous should be
cut down, so that the places they have occupied
may be taken by those that are thrifty. Many
kinds of trees as the willow poplar, and cot
tonwood will throw up sprouts from the stumps
as soon as the trunk has been removed. Trees
that produce sprouts in this manner are very
desirable for wood lot, as they save the trouble
and expense of planting. In cutting down trees
in a wood lot care should be taken not to destroy
those that are young and in good growing con
dition. If their falling would crush other trees
their limbs should be first removed by the use
of the saw. 1t is comparatively easy to cut off
the top of tree by the same method.
\ Farmers who have but comparatively small
amount of valuable land, that is all available for
producing grass or cultivated crops will not be
likely to find raising trees for fuel profitable.
Land that will produce seventy bushels of corn
per acre, under fair cultivation is generally too
valuable to be devoted to the production of
trees intended for fuel Especially is this the
case when the land is located near good mar
keL AT least ten years are required to produce
trees Of sufficient size to be cut down and used
for fuel The corn crop during this time would
produce fund the interest of which would
keep a family supplied with fuel. The distance
to market and the cost Of coal in the vicinity
will ordinarily determine whether it profitable
to raise trees for fuel or not. In many places in
the Westsoft coal can be obtained for little
more than the cost of choppng down forest
trees and working them up into fuel Where
such is the case there is no economy in raising
trees for fuel, if farmer can make profitable
use of the time he would devote to raising trees
and cutting wood. It is certainly desirable to
raise some trees for fuel on every farm. In many
parts of the West it is quite difficult to obtain
wood for the purpose of kindling fires. 1t is
often desirable to have wood fires in farm houses.
Wood is greatly preferable to coal for cooRfpg. I
during the summer. A wood fire is quickly
started, and it can be allowed to Idle down. as
soon as meal is cooked. Coal fires are likely
to keep the house unnecessarily warm all day,
and to add to the discomfort of the occupants.
For fires in chambers, wood is far preferable to
soft coal. Soft coal is Objectionable fuel to
use in rooms that are well finished and fur
nished. 1t is very difficult to burn it without
producing smoke which will soil the ceiling.
wall paper, and furniture. Generally hard coal
cannot be obtained in the country, and the choice
of fuel is between soft coal and wood.
Farmers who have more land than they can
cultivate or stock, who have land that is not
available for cultivation, as well as those who
live at a long distance from a cash market, or
where coal is somewhat dear. will find it to their
advantage to raise trees for the production of
fuel. 1t is often very difficult for farmers in
the newly settled portions of the country to
obtain money with which to purchase coal.
Many of them have considerable time that is
not very proftably employed. They can spend
it in raising trees and in preparing fuel to ex-
celent advantage. The money they spend In
coal can be devoted to some other purposes. The
value of most prairie farms is largely increased
by iudicious tree planting. In many cases the
tress may be made to serve more than
one useful purpose. They are wanted
wind. A supply of homegrown fuel is
always desirable in case of emergency. In
time of severe storms, or when the roads are in
very bad condition, it is often almost impossible
to obtain fuel from the nearest railway station.
Sometimes there is no coal in town on account
of bridges being carried away or the roads being
blocked up with snow. An open wood fire greatly
adds to the comfort and pleasure of farmhouse
during the winter If the wood is produced on
the farm such fire will not be expensive The
general opinion of experimenters is in favor of
soft-wood trees for fuel The growth of most
of them is very rapid. Some of the willows and
silvereafed poplars shoot up like stalks of corn.
Their wood is not as valuable that of the ma
pie, birch and hickory but it is obtainable in
few years. The trees are propagated by cuttings
that are obtained at a nominal price They
grow on all Western soils and are very hardy.
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Wards Cream Of Chalk,