Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-08-13
STATE FORESTRY PROBLEMS.

STATE FORESTRY PROBLEMS.
While the subject Of the preserva-
ton OF forests IL under active discus
sion II would seem proper to suggest
some definite lines along which effort
should be directed. The Vermont
farmer first Of all should be instructed
In the proper use OF his land and how
to secure the greatest profts from II.
No one will question tho fact that our
the state that are entirely united
for modern agricultural use. This
land has been Rranei for years and
generally through the month Of June
furnished good feed for live stock.
FOR the remainder OF the season II
furnishes baro existence for the
stock confined on 1t and gradually
grows UP to scrub bushes. It AIS not
making good forest land because the
stock Keeps the bushes so scat
tered they are unable to shape
themselves into good timber trees.
Some trncts have got ahead OF the
cattle and arc entirely occupied by
young forest growth. Wherever this
has occurred II is demonstrated that
nature Is able TO reproduce profitable
forest lands Il given even a fighting
.1,o CO.
young forests would exchange them
for the poor pastures they once had
there. Therefore Vermont farmers
should DO educated az 10 the forest
possibilities OF these lands and given
definite figures as possible OF the COM
parative returns from the two uses OF
| their land,
In another way the farmer might
at least make himself sure of an ade-
quate supply Of timber for his own
use. On nearly every farm there are
already tracts Of wood land which are
| being slowly denuded by the yearly
cutting OF the farmers fuel supply
for the house snd sugar camp. In
addition to this drain is the summer
grazing by the dairy which Is allow
ed 10 roam through II. Every prac-
teal farmer can recall instances
| where he or his neighbors have Gu,
the woods clean for their wood and
left the ground open to their cattle
and the ground Is now covered Will
| brakes to such an extent that II Is
cattle are xrubbing down every busf
that attempts TO grow. II every farm.
er having a wood lot would fence of
a tract of from twenty-five TO nft,
acres. keep his cattle out OF It ant
allow nature to take its course in re
placing the trees he cuts for HON,
use he would always have suppl,
OF wood and timber and unless he wa,
careless in his methods Of cutting tn,
tract would steadily increase in value
In these two ways the only State aic
necessary would be the education O
the farmer in the proftableness o
such course TO him. State aid shout,
not be necessary even for tho Grang
or other agricultural Organization
could by asitatinz this subject lea,
the farmers to educate themselves.
The treatment OF tho large tract
owned by lumber men and pulp com
panies Is quite another matter Tn
national government is making a stud,
OF this matter and IS likely TO prov
OF great aid to all who will avail
themselves OF the knowledge IL gains
This is probably as much aid from III
general government rs the State O
Vermont can expect. New HamI~hir
hopes 10 secure an appropriation fror
Congress for tho establishment Of
national park in the White Mountain,
but Vermont cannot expect this forr
Of aid. Consequently vermonters mus
apply themselves to this problem an
work II out to the best Of their abil
ity.
In this connection the recommends
ton Of the taxation commission tn,
the State cease tho levying OF larg
taxes on timber lots as LAND md lev
a tax on every thousand feet Of timbe
t cut for commercial purposes ,nsteo
would seem 10 be desirable. Let n
lumberman understand that he "a
e grow timber at little or no expens
but that ne must pay q reasonable IA
for cutting II OF tho land and ne W,
4 take a more vital interest In t,mb,
: growing.
All OF these things can be done wit,
e out expense to tho state ana wa h,
@ licve aid materially in Vermonts 70
= estry problems. II Will also allow +,
= State to appropriate whatever mop,
. II deems wise to the deveiopment
@ forest planting here
70 NOT A SURE SENATORIAL ANCuo
l. man may be found occasional
=, ! pvap N rnpublicop