The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1900-11-06
WHOLE NO. S95.
NURSING THE TREES.
Systematic Forest Farming as Ca--Isd On
In Switzerland.

Systematic Forest Farming as Ca--Isd On
In Switzerland.
The objects of forestry, which are
very generally misunderstood. are very
ably set forth In n new book just is
sued by the Department of Forestry.
and edited 10y Clifford Pinchot The
object OF forestry. as stated i'm this
Primer of Forestry. is TO discover and
apply the principles according To
which forests are best managed. 1t
is not too much 10 say that no Amer
lean book has yet appeared which
more forcibly tells of the devastation
that results from the ruthless dcstruc-
ton of the forests. the dire effects of
which are felt not only i'm the present
generation. but extend to future ones
as well. Dealing with all sections of
the country. from the familiar pine
and cedar forests of Jersey To the
giant growths OF the Sierra Nevada
slopes. and with all phases of the sub
iect. from the growth OF the seed. the
grain and character OF the wood to
the influence of forests ON climates
and fertility of adjacent lands. this
work of the Department OF Agricul
ture. by means of actual photographs
forms complete history of the forest
conditions as they prevail to-day in
the United States.
Forestry eudcavors To foster the
lumber industry not To hamper 1t. The
wood of tree that dies in the forest
Is almost wholly wasted. FG-
ing To the author. while the rottinp
trunk may serve to retain moisture
there is little use for the carbon. oXy.
gen and hydrogen which make up it's
greater part. The mineral constituents
alone form useful fertilizer. hut most
often there is already an abundance
of similar material i'm the soil Not
only il the old tree lost. hut ever since
its maturity it has done little more
than intercept. To- no good purpose
the light. which would otherwise have
given vitality to II valuable crop of
young trees. 1t is only when the ripe
wood rs harvested properly and in
time that the forest attains it's highest
usefulness. An example of what may
be accomplished by properly paying
attention to the preservation of the
young growth while cutting a." ma
turc crop is shown I'm the instance,
quoted 10y the author of forest I'm
Switzerland. where scientific methods
have been observed in the cutting of
the wood. The forest has yielded n
yearly crop, without rcplanting. ever
since before the discovery of Amer.
lea and yet to-day 1t shows a fno
growth of marketable lumber.
Some very interesting facts I'm 70.
gard to the origin of forests are
brought to light I'm this work. Many
agencies are employed by nature for
the planting of seeds in good ground. ="
among which are the winds. birds and
animals. n remarkable demonstra.
ton of the part birds may play i'm this
work is To be seen In a natural avenue
OF red cedars To be found i'm New Jcr.
SeN. These trees are all seedlings
grown from seed which have been
dropped 10y birds which pcrched on
the fences. OF course. the trees have
been kept from growing in clumps,
yet the work of the birds is certainly
unique and unexpected.
OF all the foes of the forest. next to
reckless numbering. fire * the most
destructive, and. unfortunately. too
frequent. Some fires burn over whole
counties and others only few acres.
but in the aggregate the loss by fire
to the numbering aud agricultural i'm.
iercsis of the country * enormous.
Forestry is almost pOwcrIess to prc.
vent fires. except 10y the enforcement
of legislation making the careless fir
ing OF woodlands criminal offcnsc.
IT does, however. offer many sueges.
tons for the rcforesting of burned.
over areas. and for the prevention Of
fires. Many forest fires are attributed
to sparks from locomotives. and one of
the latest ideas for the avoidance of
these is fire line along Il railroad
with two clear spaces. separated by
n double row of trees Intended to
catch the sparks Such strips kept
free from inhammabc material. are
very useful In checking small fires.
and of immense value as lines Of de.
Tense in fighting large ones.-PLrodaI
phia Record