The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1907-09-12
FOREST PLANTING.
A Circular Issued by the Forest Ser
vice TO Urge and Advise.

htc W tfHe anu AOVfSe.
Recognizing the great need and
demand throughout the New Eng
land States, New York, New Jersey,
all Of Pennsylvania except the west
ern portion, Michigan, Wisconsin and
the eastern portion of Minnesota for
reliable information concerning the
planting of the most desirable tree
species. the Forest Service has gath
cred together the necessary informa-
tion and has issued 1t in the form
OF a circular which can be obtained
free upon request to the Forester of
the United States Department OF Ag-
riculture. Washington.
While the necessity for tree plant
ing has not been felt In this part of
the United States so keenly as 1t has
been, for instance, in the treeless
West, yet sufficient planting has been
done in the past to prove that the
growing of wood crops is entirely
practicable. Large areas of land in
this region are fit for forest growth
only, and from an economic stand
point II is important that these lands
Extensive investment In forest plant
ing has thus far been unduly discour-
aged by present methods of taxation,
and, in parts of the region, by difficult
~ in securing adequate fire protec-
don. The true value of forest land
Ind It's rightful place among the per-
nanent resources are, however, be-
coming appreciated, and an enlight-
,ned public sentiment is rapidly maxi
ug this form of investment safe and
desirable.
Throughout this region there are
arge numbered areas on which sue
sessive fires have destroyed all young
rees Of valuable species. Inferior
trees, such as aspen, fire cherry, scrub
oak and red maple, as well as shrubs,
have spr,ng up. This land is worth
less in / s present condition, but
where ade 'uate fire protection can
be provided forest planting will bring
1t again to pvoductiveness.
There is a large amount of land.
particularly in New England and
Michigan, which was first cleared for
farming, but has since deteriorated in
value either through loss of fertility
or through neglect or abandonment.
Throughout Massachusetts, Connecti-
cut and New Hampshire many of
these abandoned farms and old pas
lures are now covered with white
pine. But this crop is rapidly being
removed and little natural reproduc-
ton will follow, because seed trees
are lacking. These lands offer ex-
ceptionally fine opportunities for for
est planting, owing to their nearness
to market and to their freedom from
brush cover.
The barren sand plains of Connec-
ticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, New Jersey and Mich
igan, which cannot be titled and are
a source of expense to their owners,
will in many instances support good
growth of white pine or at least one
of the more hardy species of pine.
The protection of city watersheds
demands urgent attention. The an
nual spring floods, which bring de-
struction to thousands of homes in
the lower lying fertile valleys and
are generally followed by epidemics
of serious diseases, would In great
measure be prevented were the slopes
covered by forest. Forests regulate
the flow of streams, prevent erosion
and turibidity and make waste areas
beautiful and productive, besides in
surfing source of pure water sup
ply. Wherever natural reproduction
cannot be depended upon to cover
the denuded and burned-over lands of
most of these watersheds tree plant
ing operations must be undertaken.
While the immediate object of this 4.
reforesting will be protective, timber
crops will eventually be produced
which will yield good profits on all
such investments.
Nearly every farm has at least a
few acres which are of little value For
growing agricultural crops. This land
should be set aside for woodlot
and devoted to the production of fuel,
fence posts and timber for farm uses.
The species best suited for planta-
tions of these various sorts, as we'll
as planting directions and advice as
to protective measures, are given in
the circular.