Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-07-18
EXPERIMENTS WILL BE MADE
THIS SUMMER AT POINTS
IN IOWA.
The Forestry Bureau of the Depart
ment of Agriculture viii Conduct
Investigations in This State With a
View to Perpetuating the Forests.


by the bureau of forestry of the de-
partment of agriculture, which has de-
termined that the states of the middle
west are in pressing need of more
trees, both for wood and for wind
breaks and shelterbelts 1t is with
view to remedying this condition that
the work will, this summer, be com
menced in Iowa and later extended to
other states of the middle west, until
the whole region has been covered.
The need for more trees in this part
of the country has been felt since the
prairies We're first settled, and several
attempts have been made to supply it,
but they have always been rather I'M
successful
1t is pointed out by the bureau of
forestry that the early planting was
done chiefly for ornamental purposes
or for shade, and that little attention
was paid to the usefulness of the spe-
cies for wood. Also many trees were
planted outside of the range to which
they were adapted, and on soil and in
locations unfavorable to them. And
then again many valuable species
were neglected.
After several years of careful study
the bureau of forestry has gained re.
suits which will be of great benefit to
the middle west Experience has
shown that various kinds of trees can
be grown in these regions which will
serve the purpose equally well for
shelter and ornamentation, and which
valuable wood. The work of the bu-
rno tote ~F Eo1 81, ~.
existing growth of trees, both natural
and planted, and Of the effect of vari-
GUS methods of culture.
The method in which the work Is
carried on is best illustrated by the
following, from bulletin issued by
the bureau of forestry:
"In carrying on the work Of the bu-
reau field parties examine and make
measurements of representative
groves. From these measurements
volume and yield tables are made
which show he returns in cordwood,
posts, stakes, and lumber to be ex-
pected in a given time for each of the
species studied. In addition to the
measurements, the characteristics of
growth and reproduction of the trees
are noted, and valuable data on the
natural distribution and advisable
planting range obtained"
The work, in the eastern part of the
two Dakotas, western Minnesota, ILL
nois, eastern Nebraska, and western
Kansas has already been completed.
A bulletin has already been issued
based on the results Of the study in
Kansas, which gives much valuable in.
formation and bulletins of the same
character are being issued covering
the other states.
Considerable zee planting has al
ready been zone in some of these
states, and occasionally has been
complete success; but there have been
many total failures,and many ettempts
which were only partially successful.
These failures. as rule, are due to
lack of knowledge how and what to
plant.
The Native Growth.
The bulletin further says:
An important part of the study
will be to determine to what extent
the natural forest growth along
streams and elsewhere is encroaching
upon the dryer upland in consequence
OF the protection from fire which set
Element gives. Where this native
growth can be utilized, it may be adj
visable to encourage it. Generally,
however, the planting of species OBJ.
tanned from distance will be neces-
sary. The problem is to establish on
the fertile prairies of the middle west
the trees that will grow rapidly, and
thus quickly furnish protection from
the drying winds of summer and the
IA I'D &c
same time yielding the timber most
desirable for farm construction pur-
poses and possibly for lumber"
In this connection it is pointed out
by the bureau that the supply of good
trained foresters is not large enough
to meet the demand and that good DO
sieions await the right men, Many
states now have forest commissions
and several Of them have state forest
ers. California now wants a trained
forester at $4,000 a year and two as
sistant foresters at $1,000 each. Wis
consin wants an assistant forester at
$1,000, Indiana a forester to take
charge Of its state reserve, and Wash
ington offers $500 a year for a
trained forester. Many other states
are now considering the advisability Of
creating the office of state forester
and it will only probably be matter
rof few years at the most before such
an official will be considered regular
part of an efficient state government.
While there is a great demand by
states for foresters the demand by pri-
vate timber owners is growing at a
still more rapid rate. During the last
year seven members of the bureau of
forestry force have left to take posi-
lions with private owners and four
have accepted positions with states.
There are many more demands which
cannot be met as the men are not
available.
Large lumber companies. great wood
manufacturing concerns, owners of ex-
tensive forests, railroad companies,
and others are taking hitherto un-
known practical interest in conserva-
tive forestry and they all want expe-
rienced, trained men to look after
their holdings. A number of forestry
schools throu pbollt tho country ara