The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1910-03-31
An Example of Profitable Forestry.

timber Of the United States is In
private ownership seems to indicate
conclusively that it is to these private
owners that we must look for the
bulk Of the timber supply Of the fu-
ture. Few private owners regard
their holdings as permanent timber
investments even when the land is of
a character which makes it of little
or doubtful value for farming. The
general policy is to cut as closely as
possible to increase the amount of
the present profits; to neglect the
protection of the young growth on
the cut over land from fire on &C
count of it's cost: and then, If posi-
BILE, to sell the cut over land If not
good farming land, rather than pro-
tect it and improve 1t for future cut
ting.
That it is possible for private own
ers to manage their timber lands so
as to maintain them as permanent
producing investments Is we'll shown
by the results which have been OBJ
tanned by the University of the South,
at Sewanee, Tenn. These lands con-
sisted of $500 acres of rough noun
tainland which, in 1900, the universi-
ty thought of selling for $4,000, since
the tract was not of the best quality
The trustees of the university knew
nothing of the methods of managing
timber lands and were absolutely un-
able to protect the tract from fire,
which was yearly injuring much of
the young timber. At the instance
of member of the faculty, who was
an enthusiastic believer in the posi-
bilities of scientific forest manage
ment, experts of the Forest Service
examined the tract, and prepared a
working plan, marked the trees
which were to be sold and cut, and
those which were to be left, and
recommended a method of securing
protection from fire, which always
threatens to destroy young trees.
The system of cutting was to get
rid of all defective trees, and all
species of low value, cutting at the
same time sound trees wherever re-
moval would not injure the future
value of the forest. During the dry
months Of the autumn a paid patrol
was maintained to prevent the start
ing of any fire, or to see it before it
had made headway, and at once ex-
tinguish it.
Cutting, with these objects in
view, was begun in 1901, to supply
a small mill, and by October, 1909,
the tract had been entirely cut over
The net profits, after deducting all
| expenses of every kind, including fire
protection, exceeded $4,000, or
about six times the accepted value
of the property in 1901. The cost of
fire protection has amounted to more
than $500. All OF this amount, ex-
cept S122, was for patrol service, q
man being kept constantly on the
watch during dry and dangerous
| weather. He was paid $50 a month
Extensive fires occurred only during
three years. The cost of extinguish-
ing them with hired labor amounted
to S122. The excellent patrol service
/ prevented fires getting under head
and beyond control. The loeGng
was done by contract, and the con-
tractors were required to prevent
fires. There has been only one fire
of Importance, and that burned only
small part OF the tract. A leaf has
not been burned in eight years on
more than nine-tenths of the tract
Although the tract has been entirely
logged, the conservative cutting as
cures a second cutting within ten
years, and indefinite future cutting
| thereafter at ten-year intervals; and
the indications are that at each fu-
| tnra cntfinp tho Of
which is cut will increase, and the
quality improve. The defective trees
have been largely removed, as well as
the species of low value. The young
I trees are all sound and thrifty, have
never been scorched or stunted By
| fires, and there is an increased pro-
portion OF the valuable species like
yellow poplar, hickory and red oak.
The cost of fire patrol has been ex-
| cessive, since one man should patrol
much larger tract, and this patrol
cannot stop now, but must be con-
tnued for the next ten years, when
no cutting is taking place and no in
come is being derived from the prop
| erty. The great value of the results
| which have been secured indicates,
! however, the desirability of a legal
lied or systematized patrol system
during the dangerous season in the
| forested portions of the counties, es-
pecially in those sections where there
Is tender young growth. The result
ant benefits extend far beyond the in
dividual owners. 1t means the main
tenance of the producing value of
lands, assuring additional property
for taxation, and cheaper and more
J abundant supply of raw material for
building and for industrial uses