Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-08-22
PROFIT IN PLANTED FOREST.
Annual Returns in Illinois of $4.38
Per Acre From Larch.

Annual Returns in Illinois of $4.38
Per Acre From Larch.
Both soil and climate conditions
in Illinois are favorable to tree
growth, as is we'll shown by the fact
that over 1870 species are found and
many introduced species thrive.
Comparatively few species. however
those which will furnish posts or
poles at an early aegean be grown
on the better classes of soil in COM
petition with better farm crops.
During recent field season the
Forest Service made field study to
ascertain the kinds of trees best
adapted to planting in the prairie
sections of the State. Over 100
plantations were examined and more
than 10000 trees were measured as
basis for determining the rate of
growth and the value of the planta-
ton. The yield of posts or poles an
acre was computed for the planta-
tions examined, and conservative
prices were assigned in order to find
their present value. Detailed results
and consequent recommendation
are embodied In circular 81 of the
Forest Service, Forest Planting in
Illinois," which will be sent free upon
application to the Forester, United
States Department of Agriculture.
Washington. D. G.
Plantations which show net an
nual income at three per cent of 81
an acre or more are regarded as COM
mercially successful. Judged by this
standard, the only species which
would have paid throughout are cat
alpa, with an average return of $5.1S
an acre, and larch, with a return of
$4.3S an acre.
With catalpa, ten plantations out
OF fifteen wfose products were COM
puted have paid more than 81 an
acre, while two of these have paid
1896 and $16.70, respectively
Though the average indicated return
from catalpa is but little more than
that from larch, it Is often preferable
to plant catalpa. 1t grows trif1o
faster, can be utilized for posts and
holes at a smaller size, and its wood
is more durable. Besides catalpa
will grow well on ground that is too
wet for larch, or which is flooded so
often that success with farm crops is
uncertain.
OF the sixteen larch plantations ex-
amined, ten have paid more than 81
an acre, and of these two have paid
more than 81 an acre. This indi
Gates that If market developes for
larch posts and poles, as seems likely,
planting larch will at least be as
profitable as raising ordinary far:
crops.
Because Usage orange has been
planted mainly for hedges its value
as a plantation tree has been passed.
over. That 1t is unsurpassed in soil
adaptabilty and In hardness has
been amply demonstrated. The on,y
danger lies in the northern part of
the State, where 1t is likely to winter
Mil. Tho two Usage orange plan.
tations examiner show an average
annual income of $312 an acre,
sum which undoubtedly could have
been increased had the original spac-
ing been closer. There Is good rca-
son to believe that Usage orange will
pay on ground which is unsuited to
catalpa or larch and which, at the
same time, will not bring pro. e.
return from farm crops.
The average return from black
walnut is low, ce this tree .eGuires
many years to reach size profitabl
to cut. 1t is true that one twenty.
year-old grove shows an annual in
come of $2.U5 an acre, but this is
computed for posts, and no owner
of walnut 1royc is likely to cut it
for these. Two groves in Whiteside
and Morgan counties show annua.
incomes of $3.50 and 1892 an acre,
respectively, at The end of forty-nino
and sixty-four years. These. how
ever, are by far the best walnut
groves measured. Even under the
best conditions walnut requires at
least nifty years to reach prohtablj
cutting size, while in one hundred
years the profit should be much
larger. Few persons, however, art
likely to undertake such longtime
investment.
IN addition to giving tables show
ing the rate of growth of all the
species of trees which have been
largely planted in Illinois, sugges-
tions are giveh as to the best
methods of planting and thinning
forest lantation, and reference is
made I" plantation recently started
by the Northern Illinois State Nor
NAL School at De Kalb, according
to plans prepared by the Forest Ser.
vice. One Of the most instructive
plantations examined was that estab-
lished In 1871 by the University of
Illinois at Urbana. This covers
about thirteen acres and contains
twenty species of forest trees, many
of which have grown we'll.