Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-08-25

Farmers and other residents of the
outside hundreds of New Castle county
are just now turning their attention to
the question of what can be done to ar
rest the continued denudation of timber
in this locality.
There is no doubt that the increasing
paucity of timber is of serious damage
to the farms of New Castle county, in
deed of the whole State.
What is needed to be done is to arouse
all those who are directly interested in
the question TO take action themselves
in the same manner as farmers and land
owners in other states are so success
fully doing now, and by means of regu-
lar organization to invoke the aid of the
state US these farmers organizations
have done in neighboring states.
In the present stage of the case what
would be most needed is to move in the
direction Of saving the timber lands that
exist. This would be the first step
towards staying the presentrapid march
of deforestation.
In some of the western states the gov
ernments actually pay the farmers GER
tain pro-rate for preserving their trees.
In regard to tree planting 1t may be
stated that there could be no better soil
nor more suitable land than Brandy
wine hundred. At present it is probably
the best timbered region in the State.
Maple, walnut, black, white, red and
pin oak flourish there; also chestnut and
hickory. The presence of the fine tim
Der and its wise preservation is largely
due to the enlightened practice of such
land owners as the du Points.
Where there is timber scattered here
and there to retain the moisture the un-
failing feature of the landscape attend
ing such condition is the rich fertile
appearance of the contiguous farm lands.
The indications are that New Castle
county was originally covered with
growth of fine timber, largely hardwood
of commercial value. In certain parts
of Brandywine the trees are still very
large. No doubt the growth is at least
100 years old.
Outside of other reasons the utuitarian
value of timber is for the purpose of
wind-breaks and the preservation of
streams and rivulets. Forest springs dry
up Immediately the timber is cut down.
Years ago there were numbers of runs
coursing through Brandywine hundred.
These flowed into the Shellpot which at
that time was considerable stream.
One of the oldest landowners of this
county who also belongs to one Of Della
wares oldest families has told the story
more than once of how William Penn
in writing home to England described
his sail up the Shellpot. It is not re-
membered whether that name was used
for the stream.) Anyhow his ships came
to anchor near the foot of the present
timber-covered bluff where the Shellpot
makes its turn towards the Brandywine
and is generally known now as Shellpot
woods.
This is related simply to indicate how
the stream has dwindled Even the
present generation knows how the
stream has gradually thinned and shall
lowed. All this is undoubtedly due to
the widespread deloreStation. Not SO
very long ago the Shellpot was stream
strong and vigorous enough to run
several mills located along its banks,
Now it often goes dry in summer. At
the Forks road for instance.
The reason of all this as explained by
local farmers and land owners is that so
much timber has been cut that there is
left no opportunity of retaining the
moisture. The soil dries up right away
and the springs disappear
The question is what remedy is there
for all this. Do the farmers care for
timber? Does it pay them to keep IT.?
1t may be replied that fertile farm,
although small, is better and less ex-
pensive than a larger one that is arid
and productive of only half crops.
Extensive open areas of land unpro-
tected by wind-break Of trees and
dried up by fervid vertical midsum-
lner sun without any of the aid of the
natural contiguity of tue sponge-like
MISUNDERSTANDING bunch of timber,
and taxed by the continuous heat are in
an unnatural state, and cannot be ex-
pccted TO reproduce vegetable life when
deprived Of this its most necessary agent.
1t is thought that the State EXperi-
mental Station at Newark might give
some timely assistance in scientific in
vestigation of local conditions and sug-
gestiOns for remedial action.
A question to be met, as it has been
met and favorably legislated upon in
other states, is whether the farmer
should get government remuneration
for the tracts Of land which he retains
in timber. The general argument would
be that 10 acres of timber pays the
farmer nothing, while if it We're put
into corn he would be getting SO uAs0ss
in return.
In reply, it can be asked why timber
lands here cannot be made to pay the
same as in other lands. In Germany,
France and India, the forest department
is one of the most important and lucra-
tive bureaus. Annually in England
scores of youths go to London to enter
for competitive examination for posi-
tions iii the Woods and Forests Depart
ment These clerkships are among tho
best paying and the most sought after
in British government employ. The
successful applicant is sent out to India,
where he gets fine salary, life posi-
tion, with a retiring pension. All this
is simply to obtain thoroughly fitted,
scientifically informed, and responsible
public servants to care for the ya1s forest
lands of Hindostan.
Many Americans think that the time
has arrived when some such bureau
should be established in this country.
Every farmer, indeed every public
school pupil of to-day is taught the re-
sultant effects of irresponsible and ruth
less forest deuudatiOn.
Ii is not the farmer alone who is hurt
by it, The careless practice brings in its
train all kinds Of trouble, climatic de-
rangement, the destruction of stream-