Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1890-03-19
the more valuable for lumber and naval

the more valuable for lumber and naval
stores.
1t is a long leaf pine forest of North
Carolina and Georgia which we wish to
show to our readers in this letter.
Many, if not all of you, know what a
pine forest is. You haYe seen the pines
with short trunks and long lateral
branches near the ground. You have
seen the ground beneath them we'll COW
cred with dead twigs or branches, and
without anything green growing upon
it. You know it would be impossible to
drive q team through such forest, ex-
cept where roads are cut. You know
that the thick tops Of the trees nearly if
not quite exclude the sunshine for the
whole day. A long leaf pine forest is
very different in all of its possibilities
and appearances. Many of the trees
grow to height of fifty feet without a
branch. Then a bush like top is
formed, with no twigs or small branches.
The limbs grow in all directions and in
all shapes; and do not make handsome
top or thick shade. And yet the long
leaf pine is beautiful tree. With
trunk as straight and perfect as a CORN
THAN column, and top gracefully nod
ding in the breeze, this tree always pre-
sents work of Nature pleasing and at
tractive to the eye. A forest Of these
trees which has not been touched by
the axe is sight, once seen, never to be
forgotten. For fifty feet from the
ground, the vision is almost clear in all
directions; DISTRACTED only by the trunks
of trees, beautiful columns in Natures
great temple. The ground green with
tufts of the emeral hued wire grass, the
white sand cleaning between these tufts
of grass in the shafts of golden sun
shine, falling between the swaying tops
of the trees
Instead of being compelled to cut
road through such forest no roads are
needed. No stones or stumps or fallen
trees cucumber the ground, no dead
branches endanger the eyes of the in
cautious traveller; but wherever, in any
or all directions, it is not only possible
but pleasant to drive the largest team.
the finest pleasure carriage, or to ride
horseback, on the hottest day, without
let or hindrance. There are few high
ways, and no fences in these forests.
The whole ground is as good higway
as could be made; and fences are not
needed. The traveller has only to be
sure of his direction and 60 as he will.
To an observant person riding or walk
ing in a long leaf pine forest, the trees
themselves present very interesting
and ever changing study. Occasionally
a tree with knobs on the trunk is seen;
these trees are likely to make the cele.
brated cat faced or curled pine lumber.
Again we may see long slender tree
bent over until large part of its trunk
is parallel with the ground. Such trees
never recover their lost straight and up
right position, but live and grow as they
are bent Sometimes we see q very
large, tall, straight tree inclined like the
tower of Pisa. 1t has stood so for GEN.
turtles perhaps, and will continue to
stand in that position for centuries, un-
less the axe of the cutter drops it to the
ground
The long leaf pine forest furnishes al
most as much for man as the Oriental
bamboo and palm. 1t furnishes hard
and handsome lumber; strong and dur
able timber; the best possible fuel; rosin
and spirits of turpentine, and life and
health giving home to over-worked and
Frustrated bodies, and to people afflicted |