The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-12
FOREST
What Has Been Accomplished in Parts
of the Middle West.

William L. Hall. in Government Forestry
Bulletin.
The area for profitable tree planting ten
years ago was thought TO be limited TO the
great plains. 1t extends now to sections in
the entire Middle West. Since the profits
of timber growing have become manifest.
people have become imbued with the tree
planting spirit. There will be more trees
planted in the spring of 1901 than have ever
been planted before in a single year, but
the number TO be planted will fall short
of the number required. If 10000 acres Of
timber should be planted annually, well
distributed throughout the Middle West,
the production would yet be inadequate to
meet the requirements of the country, and
the planters could still hope for liberal
profits. Ultimately this figure will no
doubt be reached.
The area Of planted timber in the Middle
West aggregates many hundred thousand
acres. Some of this timber is on the de-
cline some at its best, and some growing
into greater value each year. To the last
class belong most of the plantations made
for profit. Notable among these are the
large Catalpa plantations OF central and
eastern Kansas.
Nearly all of these plantations were es-
tablished and maintained at first by care
full and business-like methods in the hands
Of skillful men. Such methods were con-
tinued three or four years, and the young
LOAN9N NCI ZIG ~
the battle won and RENTED their atten-
tons. The time came for thinning, but it
was not done. The trees struggled with one
another, and some of the most vigorous
managed TO thin for themselves by killing
their neighbors. but at a great expense to
their own growth and vitality. This is true
OF several OF the w~ell-known plantations.
They need judicious thinning under the
immediate direction OF one who fully under
stands forest operations. Their manage
ment from this time on may make a differ
HnGA Of fhOnGanHG of dollars IN thafr 20
turns. 1t would be an act OF wisdom on the
part or the owners to seek the advice of
practical foresters in the future manage
ment of these plantations.
A large number of plantations have been
established within the last three years.
From these excellent returns may be eX-
pected, for in almost every case they are I'm
the hands of men who appreciate their
Importance and know how to manage them
properly for the object in view.
Within the last year nearly one hundred
plantations nave been established in CO.
operation with the Division Of Forestry
under its plan Of practical assistance TO
tree planters. In each case an expert of
the division has made an examination Of
the land, and, after consulting the owner
on the objects to be attained, has prepared
a plan for the establishment and manage
ment of the plantation. Profit has not been
the sole object in all cases, but IT is a lead
ing feature in nearly all. The division will
direct the management of these plantations
from year to year. and it is believed TO be
possible in this way TO make them fully
successful and profitable TO their owners.
Most of them are small, ranging from five
to fifty acres, but many will be extended
over larger areas in the future.
1t may be expected that the plantations
to be first established Will be small. On
individual farms such tracts will be planted
10 timber as can be spared from annual
crops, usually from five to twenty acres.
Sometimes men of large farms and ample
means will affOrest 100 acres or more
Larger operations than can be handled
with ease and thoroughness should not be
attempted. The main object of such planta-
tions should be the production Of mater
ials required on the farm and I'm the i'm
mediate locality.
While operations will be carried on gen.
orally in small plantations the time has
come when men OF means can get large re-
turns from the development OF plantations
on extended areas. There are reasons for
believing that the work can be carried on
more successfully by companies than by
individuals. The longtime nature OF the
investment adapts il more especially TO
company control The life OF a company is
permanent. while the life OF an individual
may cease at any time and throw the in
vestment into hands that fail TO carry IL
out. Companies are also likely TO operate
on a larger scale than individuals. and
large operations Will give better returns
than small ones. All plantations OF this
class should be extensive enough TO war
rant the permanent employment OF a resi-
dent forester of skill and ability. and should
be carried on fn sections most suitable TO
the work. To find such sections Is the first
stem Ia fail in which il To fail utterly