The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1905-11-30
WOoDLOT FORESTRY.
Simple Directions for Caring for
the Wood Supply on the
Farm.
Every Farmer May Have Permanent Tim.
Der Supply for Future Use.

LdotSii OtoteS ii~"'i y ~'~'J '~''-' -'''~
its woodlot. From that woodlot,
which is often all that remains of the
vast forests which originally clothed
the region, the farmer supplies his
own needs. 1t furnishes him with
fuel fence posts, rails, poles, and
even with timber, boards, and shin
giles to keep the farm buildings in re-
pair. A we'll managed woodlot is
therefore a very valuable part of the
farm, and the sum total OF all farm
woodlots represents very large
national asset.
The u. S. Forest Service has for
some years devoted special attention
to the needs of woodlot owners. Its
cooperation is offered to all who
would have advice on the manage
ment of woodlots, and many thou
sands of acres of farm forests are
now actually cared for under practi-
cal systems of forestry which II has
recommended.
AS a general rule, but little care is
devoted to the woodlot. II is left to
shift for itself, is often used too freely
for the pasturage of live stock, and is
rarely guarded from fire or forest en-
emies. 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 improve
ment Of the stand.
Yet il is a decidedly simple matter
to care for the woodIot. The owner
need not burden himself with any
very elaborate system. Nor need he,
IN most cases, rednce the amount of
Timber which he cuts. Eventually,
of course, he can cut more, for more
will be grown The first requirement
of the ordinary woodlot is protection.
and the second, selection in cutting.
Fire is the chief enemy of the
ssot. -Fheipdamage the larger
ifA T<larting hollows iii,tiie- tsdtS or
weak~riug them until they begin to
die in the tops, reducing their value
when cut; but the greatest harm is
done to reproduction and the growth
of young trees. RunniHg over the
forest sod, they consume the litter
and kill the seedlings. The forest
soil becomes too dry to encourage the
termination of tree seeds. Even if
seedlings 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
often started to improve the grazing
and pasture. This is certainly poor
policy. While the grazing may be
improved for a few years, the wood
lotis often permanently injured. 1t
IS generally poor plan to expect
land to produce grass and wood at
the same time. Neither will do well,
and the owner will be paying taxes
on land which he only half uses.
Grazing animals often do much in
Jury to the woodlot. They browse
upon young growth and trample it
down. They also pack the soil with
their hoofs, destroying its power to
retain moisture and encouraging the
entrance Of grass. Grazing should
he watched, and should be permitted
in the woodlot only when such harm
/ will not result.
IN cutting, the first thing to look
out for is the young growth The
fwhole point of forest management is
o have new trees of the most useful
kind take the place of the old, just as
soon as possible after they are cut.
One theiightlesS stroke Of the ak will
get rid of a fine Sapling half the size
of mans wrist, if it is little in the
way, and a dozen years of growth is
lost. On the other hand, the cutting
Of a good tree may simply open room
for worthless trees to take its place.
In some regions care must be TAX
EN- not to permit the crown cover to
become too open. In a good forest
the soil will be soft and moist, and
This soil condition is essential if the
13rees are to thrive and make good
Bgrowth. Opening the ground to the
sun dries OUT the young growth as
slough by fire, while the trees tend to
Become branchy if they stand too far
apart.
Past neglect has produced many
woodlots in which the healthy trees
Of the best kinds are choked with I'M
sound and dead trees and trees Of in
ferior kinds. For such cases inn
pr0vement cuttings are needed. Il
Will pay to spend the time and labor
necessary to remove the dead, crook
ed and diseased trees, together with
the weed trees, so'that the remaining
stand may be composed Of good tim