The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-04-23
PLANTING WASTE PLACES.
HOW to Make the Sterile Spots on the
Farm Among the Most Valuable.

3 In all the older States and in many O
the new, there is more or less land tina
: is unit for cultivation. owing to it
irregular or rocky surface. These land
are usual Y considered of little value
: although when cleared of natural vege
tatlon some of them will produce {
scanty growth of grasses and Other
plants valuable as food for sheep auC
cattle. But there are vast tracts of sucf
land that are not worth clearing ever
for pastures, much of which is within
easy access of some of our oldest anG
largest cities. From the greater part
OF these lands the most valuable timber
has been removed, and they are then
left to produce whatever kinds of trees.
shrubs. or weeds NAV gain the mastery
in the natural struggle for existence.
At the end OF twenty or thirty wears, If
these woodlands are revisited by owner
or agent, whatever timber has reache |
a useful size is removed and sent to
market. In many localities in the
Eastern States this system has been pur-
sued Tor century or more, and for
aught we know will be continued for
/ centuries TO come.
Within hundred miles of this CITY
/ there are more than Il million acres of
these wild lands that have been oyerrun
by charcoal burners, wood choppers.
and dealers in hoop poles, and, while
much OF 1t Is well adapted for cultiva-
ton. there are other tracts that are too
rough and uneven for this purpose.
But there Is not an acre of these wild
and halt-abandOned lands that could
not easily be made to produce ten times
as much as they now do to their owners.
1t Is true that, to increase the product,
capital would be required in making the
change from wilderness into cultivated
tield' or systematically arranged timber
plantations; but the capital and labor
are at hand, and the only thing wanting
is the will on the part of men OF means
10 enter into the work with a determine
ton to succeed, and make fair profit
on their Investments.
If those owning these timber lands
would incur the expense necessary to
remove worthless kinds of trees and
shrabs, and give room for the best and
most valuable kinds to grow, it would
be great improvement upon the sys-
tenn usually adopted. and which ap-
pears mainly to consist in the removal
of sach trees and saplings as have 4
present value. without the lcaS regard
to what NAV be most needed in the
future. If these Wild lands are to be
kept fer producing hoop poles, then all
other kinds Of trees not adapted TO this
purpose should be removed ami their
places filled with the kinds required 1t
would cost bat little to remove worth
less kinds. or those of little value, and
fill up with the choicest or most Gcsira-
bic.
The natural growth in woodlands is
the best guide for selecting other kinds !
to h. planted on the same soils. and |
whG . hickoricS and oaks are found |
grow ing we may safely set out the same. |
provided, CT course, that the species is |
adapted TO the climate. Bat there is a |
great difference in the value of species |
belonging to the same genus. No one |
would care to encourage the growth OF
the dwarf oaks or even even the bla *
jack oak TO the exclusion of the white
Or wiiloW oak. The same rule nav be
applied to nearly every genus of our in
dlgenous trees, for most of them CON
tam some valuable species and others
hat are comparatively worthless. and
the experienced forester will not only
select the most valuable for propara-
ton. but those best adapted to the soil
and climate of the region where they
Ire to be grown.
The waste lands, or those not adapteI
20 cultivation. should be kept covered
With forests OF some kind. and with
'tt!e care and attention in the MANAGE
hent OF these forests they might be-
;Ome source of revenue for all time.
Jhange5 can, of course. be made TO
meet any change in demand; but there
lre certain kinds of timber that seem to
De always wanted; if not for one par
'oSe 1t Is sure to be fox another Among
he most familiar Of these We may name ,
he hickory of various species. white
'ak, ash, hard maple. beech, che ,tnut.
lack walnut, whitew0oi, elm and .
'laok cherry. Recently the catalpa
las attra1ted considerable attention on :
ccOunt OF the rapid growth Of the trees
nd great durability Of the wood when |
l'eI for such purposes as railway ties {
nd fence posts. The pines. spruces. {
nd similar conlierS are of course worthy l
L attention. but not so much as the
eciduOuS trees named, because of the
are size and great age they must at 3
am before becoming of much value for |
lmber. But many OF the dcciduous ,
rccS become valuable ut the are of ten /
ears and upward, 1T which time the c
mining Of plantations may commence c
nd some returns on inye Itments be Sc i
ured. ana this is certainly worth con- /
dcrlng by men whose capital is limi- c
H. v
Government and other well-secured Il
ondS that have many years to run be- r
IRE payment are now COMMANDING n
lGch larger premium than those that b
nature earlier, and We can Sc. no rood f
eason why the same idea should not Q
ave its influence in promoting invest q
tents in fore Stry. Trees that VIII ma Il
Ire twenty to forty years hence. aud b
lcreaSe i'll value from the start sufficient s.
pay good interest on the investment. h
ertalnly ought to be worthy of the at {
'ntiOn of capitalists. and probably 5
ouid if the capitalists knew more OF n
lis promising indu 'try. The very cheap Il
nds now ID be obtained in favorable Z
cations must certainly increase in val b.
:. whether utilized for the purposes p
lmed or left idle; buI if those partly o.
'vered with forests were stocked to f
e'r fullest capacity. they would in l
Try few years begin to yield a fair re- CT
I'm upon cost from the sales of timber sc
ken ont to give room for those that b,
e to remain until fully grown. I
The same Is also trf;c of nlantations I'll