Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-04-20

ducing the seed and young trees. A
planting plan for a large tract or for
an area possessing great variations in
topography and altitude is accompan-
led by sketch map of the area stud
led. In addition to the instructions
for establishing the forest plantation,
the planting plan outlines the cultural
and protective measures necessary to
insure the maturing of a profitable for
est crop. A copy of the complete
planting plan, with all essential meas
urements, maps, and other data, is
sent to the owner. The bureau does
not in any case furnish labor, seeds or
nursery stock needed for the execution
of planting plan.
How to Make Application.
Persons desiring the assistance of
the bureau of forestry under these
provisions should make application to
the forester of the department of ag-
riculture by letter, specifying the ex-
act location, state, county, township,
range and section on which the plant
ing is contemplated, the acreage to be
planted, and the time they desire to
begin planting.
Private Forests Wrongly Handled.
The forest lands of the United States
are owned in three separate ways:
First, by the government of the United
States, to which belong the reserved
and unreserved forests of the public
domain; second, by some of the states,
and third, by private owners. among
whom are individuals, companies and
I've f;t 1,p Ie
exceed in area those of the states and
the federal government combined, and
their preservation in condition to
produce timber and to conserve the
water supply is of vast Importance to
the nation. But as rule, the treat
ment which private forests receive
tends to destroy their value rather
than to sustain or increase it. The
reason is evident and natural. These
lands, like other property, are held by
!! the owners for the returns they yield
:! and the owners have only begun to
understand that it pays better, as a
rule, to protect forest in harvesting
the timber crop than to destroy it. A
i knowledge of how to bring about the
desirable result is still more restricted
while trained men capable of advising
forest owners are very few indeed.
Improved Methods.
For these reasons the bureau of for
estry has undertaken to provide ser
les of practical examples of improved
treatment of private forest lands, in
which the best interest of the owner
shall be secured through the protec
ton and improvement of the forest
The one essential to the other, for the
productive value of forest land is the
only consideration that will lead to its
preservation by the great majority o.
private owners. 1t is possible to show
) that improved ways of handling fores
lands are best for the owner as well a:
for the forest; by assisting few own
, ers to make trial of them and the1
: publishing the methods and results al
will be benefited.
Forest lands in private ownership
are mainly of two kinds, small hold
ings, for the most part farmers wood
lots, and larger areas. chiefly valuable
for lumber Assistance will be givel
{ to the owners of each kind, so far a.
the funds at the disposal of the bureau
will permit.
Woodlots.
: Throughout very large portion o
, the United States nearly every farm
t has certain part of its area unde
, wood, either planted, as in region
: otherwise treeless, or of natura
y growth. The value of this wooded Dol