Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1903-03-06
Agricultural.
GROW FENCE TIMBER.

The fence question, like the labor
question. is becoming a subject with
whicl all farmers have to contend.
Years ago our forefatbers in most Of
the wooded sections of the country had
little trouble in finding or buying suit
able material for fencing. A very differ
ent condition now confronts us. Most
of the cedar and oak has been cut, TO-
gether with the locust and other suit
able trees. The chestnut, once very
plentiful in many portions of the coun-
try, has been attacked by a disease in
this part of Virginia, which has about
destroyed the main portion of this
source The rail fences Of the south
have long been characteristic of many
sections, and chestnut is about the only
tree which can be split with ease and
at the same time furnish lasting fence.
The loss of the chestnut supply is Sc
rious one to many families living far
from saw mills, and who have no other
means of fencing save pine poles, which
soon decay.
Locust is one of the best and most
desirable Of timbers for posts. Heart
cedar is also very valuable for this pur-
pose. Both Of these trees can be grown
easily and quickly in many localities on
land SO poor that no other crop eau be
grown to advantage. The seed Of both
can be procured easily and cheaply, and
many an acre which is now wholly bar
rem of any profit to the owners could be
with little trouble, grown in these
trees. Locust is kind of tree which
aourishes on the poorest land, if helped
a little at the start, II will improv,
land very fast, as any one can see VIII,
will take the trouble to examine the sod
almost always found under one Of thes,
trees, while at short distance grave
alone may be in evidence. If l am no
mistaken, it is of leguminous order o
plants, which have the ability of draw
ing nitrogen from the air. The locust
will grow to size sufficient for post
in few years, and can be grown quite
thickly. Their wood, when sound ano
seasoned, will last for years in or GU
Of the ground.
The cedar has very different charac
teristics, in that it does not seem to i'm
prove land, but will grow on the poores
soil. The best way to accomplish
quick growth. besides enriching the
soil is to trim the young trees wher
several feet high of all the lower limbs
The trees will then shoot straight up
and the nourisbment which otherwise
would be absorbed in the surplus o
limbs will go to the main portion, whicl
is to furnish the useful wood. Locus
should not be trimmed as close as cedar
Trim every few years, when necessary
Cedars which grow about the fene
can be greatly FASTENED in their growtl
by this trimming, and the injuriou
drawing on the surrounding land almost
wholly prevented. Oaks are strong sur
face feed RS, and should never be grow
around fields where crops are to b
planted. 1t is becoming more and NOR
necessary for the average farmer to rails
his own posts. Whether he uses wir
or not, posts will have to be had. an,
they are becoming very scarce.
Why can we not grow few acres o
our waste land in fence material2 Tn
planting will be about all the labor re
quired, as no cultivation will be neces
sary after the trees have got a start -
A. d. Warner. in New York Tribun
Farmer.