St. Landry democrat., 1891-02-14
Desirable Timber Trees.
DAVID z. EVANS, JR., PENNSYLVANIA.

DAVID T. EVANS, JR., PENNSYLVANIA.
One of the most valuable native trees is
the White Ash. The wood of this tree Is
ALWAYS in good demand for oars, TOOL
handles. etc, on account OF Its IghthesS,
elasticity and strength, while its beautiful
GRAIN commends it for Interior nhish' IL
is rapid grower on moist SOILS, anu sue.
ceeds even on poor soils. grown OF
ash has been known to realize lor Inc
planter lear profit of 5000 to $'O0 per
acre, on tracts of ten to twenty acres IRON
trees oplv twelve years old. AS this would
amount to more than fifty dollars per acre
nor vesr aside from other considerations,
the profit is good one. Surely the
rocky. hilly, and otherwise unprontaDie
lands in our older States could be-, In TINS
wav. turned to very profitable account.
The only drawback would be having 10
wait for twelve or fifteen years Tor nrst
returns. But they would then come with
compound interest. The trees may be
readily produced from seed, although the
Young trees of this, and all other kinds,
needed for timber culture, may be oo-
tanned from most of our larger nursery
men at very reasonable prices in large
quantities.
The Catalpa is soft and fine grained
timber. 1t is very popular on account OF
taking beautiful polish. 1t Is one OF the
most durable kinds of timber. 1t is a
rapid, vigorous grower, with rather strag-
Cling haoit when alone, but straight and
upright when grown N groves or close
plantations. Cabinet makers are learning
It's desirability for their work, and are
using it to a considerable extent. OF the
different species, the Catalpa speclosa Is
the hardest and best adapted to the
North, producing large, white flowers,
which give great beauty during the time
| of bloom.
The Willow is considerably planted,
and can be grown prottably III situations
| too moist for the successful growth OF
other timber. 1t will, however, grow on
poor or hilly spots. Its growth In such
places may not be quite SO rapid, YET II
| equals most other trees IN similar sltua-
tions. Its wood is used for furniture, for
OK bows. for handles, and many other
uses ESPECIALLY basket making) where
strength, Ightness, and toughness are de
sirable; its cioseness and evenness OF gram
admits of handsome polish. Its bark Is
in demand for tanning, and the char coal
from it's wood is used IN the manufacture
of gunpowder. va,
The European Larch has been but little
grown in this country, being native OF
the Alps, the Tyrol, and other European
mountainous regions. In point of e2
IRENE hardness, there is nothing to be
desired, while it is d very rapid growing
tree in lard which is thoroughly drained
as are hilly and mountainous districts.
1t is scarcely necessary to write at length
of the profits to be gained in planting The
American Sweet Chestnut and BlacE
walnut; both trees, besides producing
valuable and salabe timber, will produce
in a few years, crops Of nuts which Will
alone, pay good percentage OF prom
annually, while the trees, for the timber
will be constantly increasing i'll bulk anc
value.
Among the several other kinds Of tree!
which may be grown for timber, are thu
White Oak, Sugar Maple, White Pine
Elm, Butternut, Hickory, Cottonwood
Birch, Poplar, Box Elder, and the Sof
Maple, all of which have their specia
uses It need not be feared that timber
culture will be overdone, for the dis
tinctlve American desire to get rlcl
rapidly will prevent it for long time u
come 1t involves the waiting except II
the case Of Lut-bearing trees) OF from
twelve to twenty years tor returns. L
would be well for young men, especially
to carefully look into this important mat
ter for in the new and almost treeleS
States of the Great Plains" regions there
is necessity for the cultivation of the NOR
valuable timber trees. Though the hrs
returns are generous when they do come
-AQr3cuttuTlst.