The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1902-02-06

the light, and under favorable tenn
perature the moisture which is SO
necessary to our climatic conditions is
thrown off into the atmosphere and
becomes part of its surroundings.
The growing tree is more or less in
all its parts saturated with water,
the roots are constantly gathering and
conveying it to the atmosphere above.
The tree is so active in its work as to
become noticeable, hence we say the
sap is either up or down. The amount
of water carried to the atmosphere is
incalculable. Every division of agri-
culture will be benefited by better for
est conditions. A common sense sur
vey of agriculture will show the re-
suits of forest devastation and the ur-
gent need of replanting and saving
our forest timber.
Viewing forestry from commercial
standpoint, there can be no doubt but
that a certain amount of forest plant
ing will be profitable to the owner and
helpful to the country. To what ex-
tent such planting can be carried on
with profit must depend on circum-
stances. No general system for opera
ton can be proposed, extent and
method must be governed by the re-
gion of country and its conditions.
1t is my purpose, however, to show
that the time has come for the most
extensive development of forestry and
for the preservation of that which we
have.
Profit is the only basis upon which
a system of forestry can be carried
out. Before man can be induced to
plant trees he must be convinced that
it will pay. The growing of timber
is an investment on much longer time
than the growing of any other crop.
Money is invested which cannot
yield return fo- years. No one will
begin an investment unless he feels in
the end it will be profitable.
From the experience of persons who
have used skill and wisdom in the Sc
lection of trees, congenial soil and
proper management, the results are
giving promise of return largely ex-
ceeding agricultural crops for the
same period of years.
From statistics, and that Is the only
way we have of arriving at conclu-
sion, instances show that growth of
% years has been made to reach as
high value as two hundred dollars
per acre. Experience, however, proves
that timber can be grown for certain
uses in much shorter time, and when
grown has high value.
And while it is shown that the
growing of trees is profitable yet it
must be carried on with Judgment and
skill if satisfactory results are expect
ed; no guess-so probabilities of soil or
trees can be taken; no slip-shod
methods in culture can be used. The
same careful management must pre-
vail in tree growing as in farming.
For 80 years planting has been carried
on, under diversity of soil, moisture
and temperature, with all kinds of
trees and by almost every kind of
method, out of which we find in
stances of failure, but in most cases
success.
The planting of the best species of
our native merchantable trees for the
double purpose of commerce and pro-
lection should be considered. The
planting Of waste lands in timber must
receive the kindest consideration be-
cause it is the best use that can be
made Of that class Of land, buj the
planting of the best agricultural land
in timber would give better profit in
proportion as one soil is better than
another, not taking into account, how
ever, the protective feature of the
premises.
The oaks, ash, elms, walnuts. hick-
cries, sugars and naples are the most
valuable kind to plant for commercial
purposes, and will at the same time
perform the function Of storm and
windbreak. Most of these species are
good medium growth timber, and if
planted at the regular distance apart,
valuable cuttings may be made for
commercial purposes in fifteen years,
and valuable cuttings may be made
each five years thereafter.
There is no satisfactory data show
ing just what might be realized per
acre from such planting of hardwood
timber, but from the prices paid we
are insured of profitable income be-
yond what could possibly be made from
continued agriculture for the same
period of time.
The diminishing of natural timber
is general in the United States. The