Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-08-21
REFoREsTrNG WASTE LANDS.
Suggestions by j. NJ. Briscoe, Pro-
lessor of Forestry u. of NJ.

lessor of Forestry U. of NJ.
There is much land in Maine in an un-
productive condition at present that could
be made to grow trees profitably. More
over, trees are the only crop that can be
economically grown on some of these areas
where the soil is too poor or the slope too
steep to produce agricultural crops to adj
vantage. 1t is not the purpose of forestry
to encroach on agricultural lands, but
rather to put every acre OF land in the
State to its best and most profitable use.
Throughout the State there is a con-
siderable and growing interest in forest
planting, and it is the intention of thi
article to point out few of the main facts
that will be of interest to the prospective
forest planter. The Details as to methods of
planting and care and management OF the
woodlot have already been dealt With in a
circular published by the Maine Agrieul-
tural experiment station in cooperation
with the forestry department. This cir
cular is emitted, Suggestions to Woodlot
Owners in Maine," and will be sent free
to all applicants.
Among the many reasons why forest
planting will pay the farmer are the fol-
lowing: /. There is a constant need of
forest products on every farm, and il these
are not produced they must be purchased.
2. There is, moreover, good market for
any surplus over and above the amount
needed for home consumption, 8. The
poorest soils may be utilized for forest
crops without the addition of any fertili-
ger. 4. Forest crops improve the physi-
cal and chemical properties of the soil in
which they grow, while most agricultural
crops hasten the deterioration OF the soil.
5. The cost of establishing and caring for
forest crops is very much less than for
most agricultural crops. 6. There is a
steady increase in the value of land with
growing timber upon it. Z. Trees greatly
improve the general appearance as well as
the actual financial value of the property.
For the Maine farmer, white pine is the
tree that can be most profitably planted,
and the setting out Of Seeding trees which
are from one to three years old is much to
be preferred to sowing seed directly on
the areas to be reforested. This method
will give quicker results, more even dis
uniform stand. These seedlings may
easily be grown in cold-frame in con-
nection with the Kindergarten, or they
may be purchased from a number of
dealers who make speciality OF forest-tree
seeds and seedlings. Prices vary with the
seasons and the size and kind of stock
wanted, but any of the dealers will be glad
to quote prices on application for large or
small quantities of stock.
In ordering seedlings, about / $50 should
be allowed for each acre to be planted.
This will permit spacing of six feet apart
each way in the field, and the planting
should be done in regular rows either
parallel with or diagonal to the boundary
lines.
One important difference between forest
crops and agricultural crops must be borne
in mind when planting is contemplated,
and that is the length of time between
seed and harvest. The yield from most
agricultural crops is annual, while the
yield from forest crops is not annual but
periodic, and sometimes occurs only at
long intervals. The fact was early recog-
nized that while farmer could pay taxes
every year from the income derived from
his cultivated acres, he could not afford to
pay the same taxes annually for forest
land which was bringing him in no in
come in money even though it might be
increasing in value greatly every year that
it is allowed to grow.
In order to equalize this unfair discrim-
ination against forest crops, law was
passed by the legislature November 30,
1872, providing for exemption from taxa
tion for lands planted with forest trees.
This act may be found in revised sta
tutes, section 10, chapter 8, State of Maine.
1t provides that where 1900 trees are
planted and well distributed over each
acre of land, and we'll cultivated for three
years, the land should be exempted from
taxation for period OF twenty years, pro-
vided the trees are alive and in thriving
condition during the whole of the period.
This act was amended March "A, 1909, to
read $40 trees to the acre instead of 1000
as formerly, but the other provisions of
the act remain exactly the same as before
Although this law has now been on the
statute books for many years, few have
ever taken advantage of the opportunities
that it offers to secure exemption for a Pc
Rod of twenty years from all taxes on that
portion of the farm which is of the least
use for the production of agricultural
crops.
Another act, known as the Benjamin C.
Jordan fund, provides for prizes on forest
plantations. This act is found in senate
document No. 100. 1t is resolve to ac-
cept the gift of 81 1000 from Benjamin C.
Jordan, of Alfred, to the State, for the
purpose of encouraging the cultivation of
forest trees. 1t provides for the awarding
of cash prizes ranging in value from SIS to
$500 each for the five best lots of young
forest growth in the State. These prizes
are to be awarded by the State forest COM
missioner, subject to the approval of the