Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1910-03-17
IMPORTANCE OF THE WOOD LOT
Should Not Only Supply Fuel, But
Building Material.

While think IL is probable that
in the minds OF some people the e1-
haustion OF the timber supply Of this
country is somewhat exaggerated. q
am confident from my own observe.
ton and knowledge Of this subject
that il is a matter that needs the
careful consideration OF all users OF
lumber in this country.
II IS true. or course. that metals
are taking the place OF wood more
and more every year. but the limit
viii coon be reached at which this
! can be economically done. Then there
still remains the question Of supply
ing fuel. fence posts. lumber for all !
purposes on the farm and material .
for vehicles
So the maintenance OF a supply OH
wood on every farm is one Of such
importance that It must receive pro
per attention or else farm owners |
viii find that they win be put TO
great expense in being obliged to buy
material for many uses, for which /
they can now supply it from their
own woods.
A few months ago a meeting was
held in Washington Of the American
Forestry association. AT this meet
ing Secretary Of Agriculture Wilson
made the statement that the time
vas coming when trees win be as
scarce as diamonds 10 this country.
unless we 20 something 10 prevent it, /
He said the thins to prevent ii is
the re-fore station Of the country By
planting trees al the rate Of quar-
ter million acres a year. No doubt
this would not meet the emergency.
incidentally it was stated that in
some states laws were in force plac-
ing a tax on all trees planted. That
seems to me 10 be a most remarka-
bly, foolish and vicious law,
AS far as / am familiar with the
naturally treeless sections OF the mid
die west. the people have been very
diligent in planting trees. and on
many OF the early settled farms much
Of the timber has grown to disable
size But think there are few o.
these states n which this work has
been done 70 a needed extent. and
it ought BY al means to be pense
vered in
In Crh-r 1o-sfft7ee ,--re.-e .r,ers hos
been a fairly good timber supply
which is now running short. this mat
ter has been neglected more than
where there was none In an such
regions the IieoDle would better BE-
bestfrring themselves 20 replace t--s7
timber that viii soon be gone.
In al localities where pines grow
indigenously. an abundance Of wood
viii grow up without planting. Else
where trees Riust be planted. Both
from observation and my own expert
ence / recommend locust and catalpa
as desirable kinds sly personal pre-
ference is for black locust
If one once gets a grove Of loensts
to growing. they sill perpetuate
themselves for all time. both from
seed and roots. Locust does not
make a go6a- material for lumber
but 1t possesses the -ssrong poipfs Of
being good firewood, maAing posts
almost as durable as concrete; grow
ing rapidly; reproducing itself from
seed and roots. Not including the
growth Of grass under the trees. it
also makes splendid forage for bees
in bl0ssOming time Perhaps the
worst feature about this tree in some
sections is that in the last few years
the trees have been badly killed BY
borers-
Probably the better plan. in plant
ing trees. in view OF the risk o.
borers. is TO plant both locust and
catalpa in alternate rows Fhen. il
the former. is killed. the latter would
occupy the grnund
The business OF tree planting is
one that is being fostered by the de
partment Of agriculture at Washing
ton, and if any who read this want
on the subject ! would
suggest that they write the depart
ment of agriculture. Washington. p.
c.. and ask for bulletins giving full
about forest Tree plant
ing This matter Is such an import
ant aRe that Il deserves the immedi
ate attention Of every farmer who's
timber supply for present and fu
.ure is not abundant.
On my farm / am encouraging the
growth Of many young chestnut trees
that think viii soon make disable
timber. I sold a large number o.
Trees myself. and now a great manF
sprouts have come up from the rpots
leave about three u zach stump
and these. Alta ths Tremendous root
,ysiem az stump three feet across
are making very rapid growth. This
suggestion NAV be OF value 20 others