Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-02-23
SPEED THE PLOw."
New England Forestry.

At the recent meeting of the New Eng
land governors, held at Boston, glowing
statements concerning the possibilities
of forestry in New England made by
Clifford Pinchot, the national forester
caused people to SIT up and take notice
He said that the profits from tree raising
would be millions of dollars, which wa'
indeed good news to those farmers wh'
are struggling to pay off mortgage. II
is interesting to attempt to analyze this
speech. Before proceeding to do this
acknowledgement must be made of the
fact that the forester is thoroughly con.
versant with his chosen speciality, but
on the other hand it may we'll be ques
toned whether he fully comprehends
the great science of agriculture of which
forestry is only part.
The first important statement that
mo other part of the country offers
greater opportunities for profitable for
est planting, and the conditions in none
are more favorable" (than in New Eng.
land) may be taken as true, but prob
ably other sections of this country are
fully equal to New England in this re-
spect. However, it is only fair to note
that the situation of this section as re-
CARDS mass of population, its progress
iveness, nearness to markets and ship
ping ports indicates, even demands, that
every square inch of territory, which
can reasonably be used for agronomy
and animal husbandry, be so developed,
and that forestry be relegated only to
such land as can be proved logically,
adapted to it naturally or
absolutely in need of it. Surely 1t
would seem much more reasonable at
present TO give attention to conserving
and properly managing the existing for
ests not only for present needs but also
for future requirements, all OF which is,
as Mr.. Pinchot says, "big problem"
rather than TO attack too strenuously
other problems of the future. At least,
the main effort should be directed to-
ward the matters of to-day, while pre-
liminary plans are being formulated for
the campaign of tomorrow.
In the consideration of forestry plans
for tomorrow should come, besides the
natural forest land now "either bare or
grown up to inferior species" that is ut
for forest plantations, also the land now
occupied by forests that is of agricul-
tural value; such land is found in north
ern Maine, being of swampy nature.
rich in humus, but ready to grow good
crops with drainage and an application
Of lime. A caution here, however, is
hat this land had better be left in forest
until it is really needed for other agri-
cultural purposes. Again, while there
probably are 100000 acres of this be-
FORE mentioned land "in New England
which could be devoted to forest plant
ing" they should never be entirely
given over to this until it is determined
that no part of them is better suited to
higher agriculture. Undoubtedly, plant
ing trees with definite purpose las the
forester mentioned) is a prime desider-
atum. Paintings by individuals, COM
panies or municipalities for utilizing or
sandy waste lands, for pre-
venting sand drifting, insuring water
supply and keeping it pure, to prevent
undue washing of the soil, to act as a
to maintain a source of fire.
wood, to furnish construction material
for farms, saw-mills, manufacturers,
etc, for esthetic purposes,
such as game preserves, parks, and
groves, and the like, ichen ,oeu adrised
and carefully planned, are legitimate and
proper.
Further mention was made of "the
immense area of land in New England
which can be devoted to forest growth
better than to anything else" 1t may
be noted that rocky land containing
great boulders and outcropsl, stony land,
gravelly land, very steep land (mount-
aims or hills), and in some cases very
dry or very wet land, is in general suit
ed for planting TO forest trees. Some of
this land is probably adapted to the pro-
iuction of maple sugar, nuts, nursery
stock and fruit; and other portions,
valueless for agronomy now,
may, with our rapidly-increasing knowl-
edge of scientific agricultural methods,
be used to better advantage than for for
,st planting; and still other land of this
ype may be fitted for grazing, especial
" by sheep. = All these possibilities
should be investigated carefully before
to start new forests.
Now, concerning the future profits OF
planting, would they be as
,reat as might be estimated to-day by
he existing standards of prices, demand
or lumbe and methods of construction?
[t is reasonable to think that this would
lot be true; for are not construction ma
erials, such as steel, concrete, glass,
prick, terra Gotta, Stucco, stone, etc.,
coming to be used more generally than
,ver before? And are they not Of great
r value and merit than wood, because
IF their superior durability, fire-proof
qualities Excepting stone), cheapness OF
production (of some now, and OF others
much more in the near future), ease IN
handling, simplicity in construction
Uses, and other good points? At present
.hese materials are supplanting wood In
building construction and In many
articles. Then, too, is
,ot science attacking this problem with
. determination and vigor that cannot
fail to bring results? Most assuredly 80!
Thus will come q decreased use OF wood
ior commodities and construction pur-
poses, an increased use of other con-
,truction materials, and, as a result of
his, the preserving of forests largely
Tor the purposes for which nature in
.ended them. Under these conditions,
" hat will be the value OF lumber NIFTY
years from now as compared with the
present prices? What should be the at
.itude toward forest planting to-day
Stanley F. Morse in Country Gentleman:
IAN discussion is good, and 1t is we'll
that no undertaking should be begun
until, as the above correspondent says,
il is we'll considered. Probably not all
our readers will agree fully with the
point of view, and GER