Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-11-19
Scrub Timber.

LII Tie SouoIdl warfare tudC ls UCILg
waged against the scrub" it should not
be forgotten that quite considerable
area of some sections of the West is
growing up with scrub timber. First
comes the hazel brush, which grows
spontaneously on the more clayey
prairie soils wherever the fire is ex
cluded-as worthless brush as ever
grew out of the ground or detied soil
naturally rich. Next appear vine oaks
among the hazel brush, a species of
noble family that has no merit whatever
to recommend it and is chiefly noted as
provoker of profanity among plough
men. Other species follow, some with
valuable qualities if circumstances
allowed them to come to maturity, but
as rule this spontaneous development
of timber results simply in furnishing
frewood, for which, except in the
commercial value and no profitable
market. The West is now too far
advanced to grow firewood for sale off
the farm. When it was wild prairie,
chargeable with neither interest nor
taxes, it could afford to grow scrub timber
for coming market-that time is long
past now. It is astonishing how rapidly
the timber is encroaching on the
prairies, now that fires are excluded.
Every acre thus encroached upon loses
half it's value. No one knows this bet
ter than the owners of the land.
A great deal has been said in favor of
this natural growth of timber on the
ground that it will modify the rigors
rainfall. That it does modify climate,
especially when it creeps out on the up
lands, we admit; that it promotes rain
fall is beautiful and plausible theory,
without, we believe, any foundation in
fact The most that can be said of the
theory is that it is worthy of a Scotch
verdict, "Not proven" 1t is the fitting
companion of that other theory which
has lured SO many men to the far West
that cultivation increases rainfall.
We do not believe that either theory
has any foundation in fact. 1t is doubt
less true that cultivation conserves
rainfall by fitting the soil for holding
the moisture that falls, and it may
be fairly conceded that the breaking up
and improvement of the country slowly
extends the agricultural area West
ward. 1t may also be conceded that
the denudation of forests, by giving the
rains more easy and ready access to the
streams, creates floods in the spring and
low water in the summer, and that by
reversing the conditions, the timber
streams would in time become fuller
and stronger and more available for
purposes of irrigation. This, we think,
is about all.
It will not pay the Western farmer
to allow his land TO grow up IN timber
for the sole purpose of securing such
paltry benefits, especially when all, or
nearly all the real benefits can be
secured by cultivated groves. The fact
that scrub timber land has been steadily
falling in value in the Western States
ever since the first settlement Of the
country until now it can be bought
at half the price of good prairie land, is
the best proof of its worthlessness, ex-
cept in limited tracts available for wind
breaks Or feed lots.
All these benefits can be secured by
the judicious planting of the more
valuable varieties of timber in locations
around barns and houses where they
will furnish the needed protection and
prove commercially profitable. 1t does
not pay to plant even for shelter pur
poses, scrub timber on land worth from
$25 to $50 per acre.
For profit only the best varieties
should be planted, varieties that, having
served their purpose for shade, or
nament and protection, will furnish
either posts, ties or timber when they
have reached maturity. It will not pay
to grow timber which has no ultimate
use beyond firewood, any more than it
will pay to grow crab apples it the
orchard.
Winter Protection