The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-20
BULLETIN ON FORESTRY
SECRETARY FREEMAN. OF THE
STATE BOARD, HAS A SCHEME.
Propagation of Timber for Wood
Other Notes of Interest.

w. III. Freeman, secretary of the Indiana
State Board OF Forestry, said Yesterday
that he has developed a scheme by which
men who desire to invest money may pur-
chase cheap lands in this State and begin
the propagation of timber to be used i'm the
manufacture of paper pulp. Mr.. Freeman
believes that this manner of investing
money will be a profitable one i'm almost
that efforts will be made in Indiana to use
the Carolina poplar, almost valueless. i'm
the manufacture of paper pulp.
Forestry work is now taught in more
than half of the institutions of the country,
and in the first bulletin issued by the State
Board of Forestry yesterday the question
is treated at length. The purpose of for
estry, says t. report, embodied in the act
which created and governs the board, is
a vital one TO the State. The past history
of Indiana has been one of the greatest
abundance Of hardwood timber. Eighty
five years ago there were more than $780,
600 acres of good timber land in the State.
but the timber mas been so depleted in this
time that the best interests of all demand
prompt action in a rational use and pres
ervation of the present supply.
The bulletin says that the necessity for an
extensive forestry movement is sustained
by the industrial conditions of the State.
OF these the manufacturing industry is the
most vital. Indiana has. by reason of it's
hardwood timber during the past, a large
manufacturing industry established, using
timber as the raw material of manufacture.
The bulletin says that IL is a perfectly
safe estimate that One-half of the aggre-
gate manufacture of the State is a wood
finished product exclusively, and that a
large per cent. of the other manufacturers
use timber in large quantities in sundry
ways in making their finished products.
These institutions, says the bulletin. are
sapping the States resources of both vir-
gin and second growth timber. At the
present time the timber OF the State does
not exceed 1900 600 acres. mostly of second
growth stuff. The last statistics taken
show a consumption of nearly a half million
acres per year. Much of the wood con-
sumed, by reason OF the quality of the
timber and the article manufactured. can
not be substituted. Unless the timber can
be secured these Industries must cease as
are dependent on the States supply of
material. The bulletin adds that forestry,
as a means TO a better agricultural secur-
ity. is equally as vital in Importance as
TO manufacture.
ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.
Under the caption, Fence Posts and
Railroad Ties the bulletin says: The
4adAANL CAAa AdAAANA vi NAAAbNA ~ ~
remains and the rapid removal of timber
everywhere are signs of some economic
problems which farmers and railroad COM
panies will have TO meet before many
years for post and tie material. a major
ity of farms are now far short of suitable
material for these purposes.
The growing tendencies are toward the
smaller acreage of farms and more sys-
tematic fences. and an increase in the mile
age of railroads. These tendencies mean
a much greater demand for the above kind
of timber product
The successful farmer will meet these
demands intelligently by producing on his
farm such Of this as he can. and will find
by calculation that a large profit may
easily be made in doing X.
Every farmer can set aside a part of
his land TO cultivate in hardy catalpa,
chestnut, Kentucky coffeetree. black To-
Gust and Russian mulberry and wait eight
or ten years for his returns if such returns
come for every year at less labor than a
smaller return at more labor and certainty
by cultivating crops annually.
These species OF trees are the best
known kinds for these purposes. They are
the quickest growers, easiest p~ropagated
and are the most durable I'm contact with
soil TO the number OF 1000 or 200 trees
to the acre very successfully, in either
mixed or pure paintings. Hilly. sandy.
gravelly and run down soils unsuited for
grain cultivation is FIRST class for this tim
Der growing.
These trees rightly cultivated will, by
reason OF the time mentioned. be suitable
for posts. and at from twelve to fifteen
years be large enough for ties. IL would
be "A poor result not yielding more than
two or either posts or ties per tree, which
by calculation will reveal the income. Two
years OF cultivation and the harvesting is
all that is necessary by way OF labor and
the expense Of money need be but little"
Tables In the bulletin show there are
iSS factories in the State outside OF incor-
pOrated cities and towns using wood for
manufacture. In the State there are 1912
acres and pa forests in exemption. There
are ls.266.964 acres in farm land and 1.277,-
~ acres I'm timber.