The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-11-27
woopLor FoREsrRY.
Simple Directions for Caring for the
Wood Supply on the Farm.


Iern States nearly every farm has its
woodlot. From that woodlot, which is
|often all that remains OF the vast for
tests which originally clothed the region,
the farmer supplies his own needs. Ii
furnishes him with fuel, fence posts,
rails, poles, and even with timber,
boards, and shingles to keep the farm
buildings in repair A weIl-managed
woodlot Is therefore very valuable
part of the farm, and the sum total of
farm woodlots represents very large
national asset.
The L. S. Forest Service has for some
years devoted special attention to the
needs of woodlot owners. It's co--opera-
ton is offered to all who would have ad-
vice on the management of woodlots,
and many thousands OF acres Of farm
forests are now actually cared for UNI
der practical systems OF forestry which
1t has recommended.
As a general rule, but little care is
devoted to the woodlot. 1t is left to
shift for itself, is often used too freely
for the pasturage of live stock, and i
rarely guarded from fire or forest enc
mics. When wood is needed but little
discretion is exercised in the choice OF
trees, and no need is felt of providing for
the renewal or improvement of the
stand
Yet it is decidedly a simple matter to
care for the woodlot. The owner need
not burden himself with any very eIabo-
rate system. Nor need he, in most cases
reduce tie amount of timber which he
cuts. Eventually, of course. he can cut
more, for more will be grown. The first
requirement of the ordinary woodIot is
protection, and the second, selection in
cutting.
Fire is the chief enemy Of the woodlot.
Fires damage the larger trees. starting
nollows in the butts or weakening them
until they begin to die IN the tops. re-
ducing their value when cut; but the
greatest harm i done to reproduction
and the growth Of young trees. Running
over the forest soil, they consume the
litter and kill the seedlings. The forest
soil becomes too dry TO encourage the
termination OF tree seeds. Even if seed
lings succeed in finding root and begin
to flourish, the next fire destroys them.
Fires may easily be kept out of the
woodlot with little care. They are Of
l1i ottAAAtA ~ fitRiONt tnC RthLilk anu
pasture. This is certainly poor policy.
While the grazing may be improved for
D few years, the woodlot is often per-
lnanently injured. 1t is generally poor
plan to expect land to produce grass and
wood at the same time. Neither viii do
well, and sne owner will be paying taxes
on land which he only half uses. Graz
ing animals often do much injury to the
woodlot. They browse upon young
growth and trample it down. They also
pack the soil with their hoofs, destroy
ing its power to retain moisture and en-
couraging the entrance of grass. Grazing
should be watched, and should be per-
mitted in the woodlot only when such
harm will not result.
In cutting, the first thing to look
out for i the young growth. The whole
point of forest management is to have
new trees of the most useful kind take
the place OF the old, just as soon as pos
sible after they are cut. One thoughtless
stroke Of the ak will get rid OF fine
supling half tile size Of mans wrist, If
it is little in the way, and dozen
years of growth is lost. On the other
hand, the cutting of good tree may
simply open room for worthless trees
70 take its place.
tn some regions care must be taken
not to permit the crown cover to be-
come too open. In good forest the
soil will be soft and moist, and this soil
condition is essential il the trees are
to thrive and make good growth Open
ing the ground to the sun dries out the
and often burns out the
young growth as though by fire, while
the trees tend TO become branchy if
they stand too far apart
Past neglect has produced many wood
lots in which the healthy trees of the
best kinds are choked with unsound and
dead trees and trees Of inferior kinds.
For such cases improvement cuttings are
needed. 1t viii pay to spend the time
and labor necessary TO remove the dead,
crooked, and diseased trees, together
with lie weed trees, so that the remain
ing stand may be composed of good tim
Der trees in sumcient number, under con-
ditions favorable for their best develop
ment. This can be done gradually as
the material can be utilized.
When once the improvement cutting
has brought the woodlot into business
like shape, further operations should be
made with view to reproduction and a
lasting supply Care should be taken in
telling, working up, and hauling out
wood to do as little damage as possible
to young growth. If reproduction is to
take place from seed, the proper location
Of seed trees must be considered.
Where the forest is composed mainly
Of such trees az oak and chestnut, which
sprout well from the stump, It may be
advisable to cut most of the good sized
trees, over part OF the woodlot, for
the purpose of raising a crop Of sprouts.
Such sprouts grow rapidly and produce
good poles, posts, and ties at a compare
lively early age But the stuInps should
be cut low and slanting, so az to pre-
vent rotting and secure strong and
numerous shoots.
There are number Of thinning sys
tens, some Of which may suit the re-
unirements OF one woodlot but not those
of another BY a careful reading OF
Bulletin No. ~ of the Forest Service,
entitled "The Woodlot," the owner can