Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-05-02
wooDLoT FORESTRY.
Simple Directions for Caring for the
Wood supply on the Farm.

Simple Directions for Caring for the
Wood supply on the Farm.
Throughout a large part of the eastern
states nearly every farm has its woodIot.
From that woodlot, which is often al
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
shingles to keep the farm buildings in
repair. A well-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 United States forest service has for
some years devoted special attention to
the needs of woodlot owners. Its coop
Grafton is offered to all who would have
advice on the management of woodlots,
and many thousands of acres of farm for
ests are now actually cared for under prac-
tical systems of forestry which it has
recommended.
As a general rule, but little care is de-
voted to The woodlot. 1t 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 enemies.
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 simple matter to
care for the woodlot. The owner need not
burden himself with any very elaborate
system. Nor need he, in most cases, re-
duce the amount of timber which be cuts.
Eventually, of course, he can cut more, for
more viii be grown. The first require
ment Of the ordinary woodlot is protec-
ton, and the second, selection in cutting.
Fire is the chief enemy of the woodlot.
Fires damage the larger trees, starting
hollows in the butts or weakening them
until they begin to die in the tops, redue-
ing their value when cut; but the greatest
harm is 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 be-
comes too dry to encourage the germina-
tion of tree seeds. Even If seedlings sue
coed in finding root and begin to flourish,
the next fire destroys them.
Fires may easily be kept out OF the
wood lot with little care. They are often
started to improve the grazing and pas
ture. This is certainly poor policy.
While the grazing may be improved for a
few years, the wood lot is often perma-
nently injured. Ii 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 injury to the wood
lot. They browse upon young growth
and trsmple it down. They also pack the
soil with their hoofs, destroying its power
to retain moisture and encouraging the
entrance of grass. Grazing should be
watched, and should be permitted in the
wood lot only when such harm will not
result.
In cutting, the first thing to look out for
is 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 possible after they are
cut. One thoughtless stroke of the ak
will get rid OF fine sapling half the size
of mans wrist, if it is a 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
to take its place.
In some regions care must be taken not
to permit the crown cover to become too
open. In good forest the soil Will be
soft and moist, and this soil condition is
essential if the trees are TO thrive and
make good growth. Opening the ground
to the sun dries out the moisture, and
often burns out the young growth as
though by fire, while the trees tend to be-
come 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 will pay to spend the time and
labor necessary to remove the dead,
crooked, and diseased trees, together
with the weed trees, so that the remain
ing stand may be composed OF good
timber trees in sufficient number, under
conditions favorable for their best de-