The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-18
TREES FOR posrER,rY.
Planting Trees An Easy Way to Combine
Profit With Rlaasuro

TREES FOR POsTERiTY.
Planting Trees an Easy Way to Combine
Profit with Pleasure.
Many OF our finest trees require a
generation or two of time to acquire
proportions that will make them any
thing like perfect specimens. It is a
hard matter to get people to plant
thus for the benefit of those who are
to come after. However inexpensive a
work it may be. few. comparatively,
are willing to plant for their posterity.
We all know that in buying a farm, or
a home in the country, most men will
pay extra for any such improvement.
Even those who neglect to plant can
appreciate the value of the improve
ment when made. A farm that has s
roadway lined with fine lot of thrifty
trees will often bring two or three
hundred dollars more than one equally
good'in other respects. but which has
a naked front.
Sentimental farm IS do not create
this value. for even the most stolfd
can appreciate it. Protecting belts OF
timber are of incalculable benefit to
agricultural lands. aside from the
pleasure and comfort they afford the
inhabitants. Winter grains and all
grasses are much more likely to with
stand hard winter. if shielded by
belts of timber, than if exposed to the
sweep of the winds. In our n Orthern
climate the snow must serve as a pro-
tecting mantle against the intense
cold. and the variations of heat and
cold. For this purpose snow is most
excellent mulch. if we can have il
spread evenly over the ground To
obtain this equal division the sweep of
the wind must be checked. If there
be nothing but fences and open lands
or rOadways, the main body of the
snow will be piled in drifts along one
side of the fence, leaving bare spots in
the open field. where freezing and
thawing alternate through the winter.
to the detriment of the plant roots
thus exposed.
A few narrow belts of timber across
the country, perhaps along the di-
vision fences. and the roadways. would
change all this, and save untold dol
lars to the farmers. All living Great
ures in such countries would find the
winters, and summers. too, more en-
durable; and mucl, of the tediOusness
of travel would he removed by this
means. The strangers estimate of a
country that he is travelling through
is largely governed by these and like
improvements. 1t should be the aim
of every farming community to draw us
much wealth and ability into it's midst
as possible, for the highest develop
ment of the material and other re-
sources of the country. To do this.
country must be made attractive and
pleasant. One can judge very nearly
of the character of people by their
surroundings.
l have heard men say that there is
no use in trying to improve their neigh
bOriiOOds, as no one else will work
with them. I do rot find this state
rnent borne out By facts. AS said be-
FORE the most stoiid, and apparently
the most unappreciative. are glad to
possess any thing that has been de-
monstrated to be Of actual cash value.
If they find the market value of a farm
is increased by such improvem"
they are among tile first to avail them
selves of the opportunity for increas-
ing the value of their possessions.
One good, thrifty farmer who is not
afraid TO go ahead. will do much to-
ward introducing better order of
things into bis neighborhood. Ali
honor to the men who have the cour-
age and unselfishness to plant trees
for the benefit of those who are to
come after. Such action will not 90
without its reward, even in this day
and generation. Beside the more
valuable and slower-growing varieties,
there are many quick growing kinds
that may be planted for more imme-
date effect The main thing is to get
to planting. Plant something-the
best that you can get, and then do not
let them go to waste for want of care
and attention.-OhioF Farmer.