The Lamar register., 1897-09-25
origin OF Forests.


water plants OF simple structure there
gradually developed the forms fitted
to thrive upon land. writes William J.
Hopkins in Chicago Record. The FIRST
land plants OF which we have evidence
although probably not the first that ex.
tsted. were fern-like in character. AS
their number became greater the
crowding forced each plant to reach
out higher after the sunlight and the
air. In this struggle for existence be-
gan that evolution of those most Mt
ted to survive, which has resulted in
the forms that We know to-day. Those
which developed the tallest trunks con-
Quered the shorter varieties and forced
them either to die out completely or
to occupy less favorable situations.
The trees OF the first great forests,
which became the beds OF coal of the
principal conforming period, we're
weak in structure. not far removed
from the ferns. with pithy trunks. re-
curing much moisture and warmth
They were not well adapted to propa-
gate and spread. as their seeds we're
very small and incapable OF withstand
ing rigorous conditions. From these
forms there gradually developed the
palms and trees somewhat resembling
the present cone-bearing forms. or
evergreens, this process of develop
ment continuing until in comparative
ly recent ages came the prevailing
trees Of our modern forests. These
may be divided into two great classes
the narrow-Ieaved. cone-beariug
h~aH n.
leaved trees, which usually shed their
leaves in the autumn. All have great
advantage over the earliest forms In
their strong trunks, capable of sup
porting a great weight OF branches and
leaves and enabling them 10 attain
heights OF 100 TO 500 feet above the
earth. The nght for place and exist
enee is now chiefly between the ever
greens and the broad-leayed or dec!iu-
Gus trees. and in this struggle the
broad-leaycd trees are so far superior
that the eyergreeHs have already been
driven TO great extent TO the less
temperate. cold regions or to the drier
and less favorable soils.
Methods of Spreading and Growth
The distribution of forest trees de-
pcnds not only upon the eharaeteris-
tics OF the particular kind and Its
adaptability to the soil and climate,
but also upon the chance OF distribu-
ton OF the seed and the provision
against Its destruction by animals.
Many trees are subject to the depreda-
tions Of various insect enemies which
may prevent seeding or may even de-
stroy the tree: and the seeds of most
trees form = more or less palataole
food for birds or beasts. Some trees
are better protected than others
against these chances OF destruction
and the better protected trees stand a
eorrespondingiy better chance of In
creasing In numbers and surprising
the other kinds. II the squirrels or the
wild pigs ind the nuts OF the white
oak sweeter and moro wholesome than
those of some other oaks the standing
white oaks will leave few II any de
scendants and viii eventually disap
pear, while the red oaks flourish. In
entering upon new ground the trees
having the Ilghtest seeds will be the
first to take possession. their seeds be.
ing carried TO greater distances than
those OF the others. The light seeds
of the willow or the seeds of the maple
which. although heavier, have upon
them wInS-Iike attachments, Will en-.
able their kind to far outstrip the nut.
bearing trees, like the walnut, hickory
and oak These heayy-seeded trees are
limited in their reproduction, prac.I.
eally to the distance at which a nut
falls IN the ground or to the chance