Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-06-18
Stauntott Spectator.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE Is. 1880.
Forestry.

Forestry.
The desire for quick profits upon expended
capital, whether it be in money or labor,
has prevented the introduction OF many
valuable enterprises which require time Tor
development. The true estimate to be
placed upon forest growth is only realized
after it has been taken away, or by those
who once knew its advantages and subse-
quently were jewellers in timberless re-
gions. We have always thought that
forestry or arboriculture, at least for timber
purposes, should be one of the economies
provided for and encouraged by State legis'
lation, as agriculture and other dependent
industries.
The provision made by the Federal Gov
eminent for protecting forest growth on
the public lands is very good as far as it
goes, but with the exception of encour-
aging features in some of the States under
the operation of laws which were enacted
more to incite the people to carry on tree
planting on their own motion than by
State assistance, nothing has been done to
foster what is soon to be an indispensable
industry. That it has not been taken hold
of for it's future advantages as well as re-
mote money wealth is solved by the fact
stated in the first sentence in this article,
and therefore it Is an industry which, to
receive its just share Of encouragement for
the benefit and the future prosperity OF
the whole country, must be fostered by
some equitable provision of government.
We believe the rejecting people of the
country would sustain such legislation, es-
pecially if adopted as a Federal policy, for
the growth of forest resources are as justly
entitled to protection in our public economy
as the manufacturing interest, which
though accomplished through the agency
of indirect taxation. is yet none the less
real taxation of the people.
We confess to see but little prospect
however, just Of the passage of such laws
through Congress, but it should not be a
hopeless view to take that our State Legis-
lature might be induced to give forestry a
place in the laws and appropriations made
FOR the benefit and the promotion Of our
agriculture. And still another suggestion,
local in its character, presents itself here
The planting and culture of forests which,
of course, would be by selections of the
most suitable growth for utility and profit,
might become a feature for premiums in
our agricultural and industrial associations.
Why should not the Baldwin District Fair
lead the way in this new departure by Of
fering now commencing for the exhibit OF
1s91) premium per acre of one years
growth, and then each additional year
would grade the premium, commencing
with one, and continuing two years and sc
on. 1t could be easily done by judges to
view the forest growth just as any growing
field-crop. For llustration-suppose a
man had planted thirty years ago two acres
in walnut growth, which any farmer car
easily do every year Except for the danger
if not soon done there will be no seed fol
iD or white oak, hickory, wild cherry,
sugar-trees, or any of the valuable hard
woods, the money realized for his land,
expense Of planting, culture, &C., would
be as one hundred to one, allowing princi'
pal and interest annually, for the value Of
the land for any of the ordinary purposes
to which it might have been appropriated.
Nor is the growth of trees as slow, if at.
tended to and MANFRED, as is generally
supposed. There is not one acre in a
nd IF NH nI, hor, ro-
ceived the least attention. If scrubby and
Indifferent growth exists, it is not taken in
order to improve the good timber, and only
as necessity forces the consideration of the
matter is it cut for fuel, for it is ofte1er
than otherwise, where timber is abundant,
that the good is taken for fuel as we'll as
the Indifferent.
Forestry might soon become feature in
our industrial development on and near the
lines of transportation, and, if so, the ex-
ample would be followed at the distant
points which have been denuded of growth,
in proportion as taste and inclination in
the future may prevail.
Arbor days, as times set apart in COM
munities for tree planting are designated,
tend to the cultivation of good taste, and
are slowly making some Roadway on the
right line, but it is the prevalence Of q
wider effort by larger preparation, and
tree-pIanting not only for ito beauties, but
for solid money income in the future, which
we want to see. a system commenced
now and pursued annually for thirty years
will become SO great and strong that the
coming landowner ct that future time
would be considered without position in his
community if he failed to pepetuate it OF
become careless as to the responsibility
which rested upon him.
Timber, which is sufficiently large tc
make lumber, is diminishing at a much
greater rate than the increase of growth to
supply the increasing demands. The terri
bic havoc which has been going on wher.
ever transportation Is available in the
special hardwoods is frightful to contem-
plate. Take walnut, for instance. When
the first wholesale offer presented itseli
then tho best grades came out for market
II has continued in that way until now the
little saplings and soraggy branches alike
go to the mill. and soon there will be none,
OF but few trees here and there from which
recuperetion can commence its slow and
tedious work. Many other interests, and
OF no more public importance, if half SC
much as the protection and enlargement
of the timber growth, are regulated and
protected by law, and we can see no reason
why the Same rule should not apply to 1t.
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