Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-01-21
The Beginning Of Forestry.
WHAT THE GERMAN STATES HAVE DONE
TO PRESERVE THEIR FORESTS

A rare opportunity to observe the fol
ests and to learn something of the ger
eral forest policy of Germany prompt
me to jot down a few notes that may in
terest the readers of the Tribune Farm
er.
In the first place, it should be under
stood that the German Empire in it
federal capacity has nothing whatever t
10 with the forests. The control OF th
forests is exclusively in the hands OF tn
various sta, es, which, in their confedeI
a'ed form, make the nation called Gel
many. Each state government direct
the forest policy of its own state, an
the national government has never inter
fered in any way with this procedure. w
should not forget that the relation be
ween the German states and the Ger
man Empire is quite analogous to the re
lation between our American states Ant
our Union. In our country, however
the federal government has done mucl
more to develop forestry than has ye
been done by state activity.
The First General Movement.-Th'
first general forestry movement In Ger
msny began about 1850 At this tim'
the population was rapidly increasing
most of the agricultural land bad beer
cleared of timber, there was no coal ane
no means of transportation of wood IRON
the mountain forests. A succession o.
winters of unusual severity caused mucl
discomfort and suffering, and the whole
people awoke TO TO the imminence OF
fuel famine.
From this time forestry developed
with great rapidity. Everybody was iu
terested because everybody needed fuel
Within the next twenty five years, mos
of the leading state governments had for
mulated some forest policy, the princl
pal feature being an effort to secure
continuously sustained yield OF Tue
wood and timber from all state forests.
That is, no more wood should be cut ir
auy wear than Was produced the same
wear. After q time and with the advent
of better means of transportation, anc
the discovery of coal, the fear of fue
famine passed away. However, the
idea and practice of conservative forestry
had taken such q deep hold upon the
public mind, that the development OF
sane and rational forestry policy mel
with little or no opposition. :,
Important Restrictions.-N is well
known that trees, especially OF the ever
green type, can be grown on SOIL that ID
too poor for agriculture; and the nrst ar
tificially planted forests were established
ON either rocky or on poor sandy lands
that were unfit for remuuerative farm
ing.
Each German state has three classes
of forests. First, those owned by the
state itself; second, those owned by
cities or small communities, and third
those owned by private individuals
Most of the communal and private for
esrs are regulated TO some degree by the
state, the most important restrictions
being that no owner of forest holdings ID
allowed to cut more wood In any year
han is annually produced, and when
forest land is cleared an equal area mus'
be planted.
Valuable Osks.-Oue OF the large state
forests is that of the Spessart mountains
in Bavaria. This forest is composed
very largely of white oak, which Is said
TO be the best in the world. Owing tc
its slow growth 1t il very hne and ever
in texture, and yields veneer logs fol
which extravagant prices are paid. The
average price of first class logs In ths
woods, many miles from the railroad, II
something over $3.50 Thousand feet
board measure, while the choicest logs
sell for more than double this price
Not few of these old oaks have a value
exceeding 81, 900 each, and they are only
cut when it is evident that they have al
tanned their highest value. The white
oak of this district Is as famous through
out Europe as the Ohio white oak Is ia
nous in America.
Early Planting Of Pine.-The city for
ests of Darmstsdt, in Hessen, are com
posed largely of pine and beech. Ths
Oldest stands of pine were started ovel
one hundred years ago by simply scat
teripg pine cones upon the ground auC
driving large flocks Of sheep over them
In this way the seeds were pressed Into
the ground, and by this cheap and easy
method a fair stand Of seedlings result
ed.
Especially fine are the stands of PINE
In the pole stage; that Is, ola size nj fo'
telegraph poles. These trees are fifty
wears old and were raised from more
Carefully planted seed. They have long
clean, straight trunks, and the largest
specimens are being removed 30 as tc
give a better chance to those that are
left.
The younger stands are for the mos'
part trausplauted seedlings, which wer,
planted at the rate of from ten to fifteer
thousand an acre. The cost of planting
ia not q great item, for the two-year -olo
seedlings can be raised at An expense o.
from 10 to 20 ceutsa thousand, and tht
labor of outplanting Is from 20 to x
cents day.
German Forest Pclicy.-The German
forest policy aims to reforest all waste
lands and gradually to increase the for
est area under direct state control. L
aims TO improve the education and train
ing of foresters and rangers at state ex
pepse, and Is seeking to extend fire ant
other forms of protection over all fores
land. Another feature is to encourage
the largest public use Of all forests as
means Of health, recreation and enjoy
ment for all the people.
American Trees Iutroduced.-Nativ'
eyergreens, or soft woods, are beinl
planted on quite q large scale. AmOni
them the white pine and Douglas fir arr
fayorites on the better soils, while pitcl
pine and jack pine are planted on poo
sandy soils. The summer Of 1911 wa
one of unprecedented heat and drouth
and the death Of many young stands OF
introduced trees, while the native
suffered comparatively slight loss, EN-
phasizes the greater vitality OF the latter
Among the introduced deciduous tree
the American red oak seems to be tn
one that is favorably regarded.
Factors of Success.-The hnancis
succsss of German forestry depend
mainly ON two factors: First, good mean
of transportation, and second, the own
ers. whether they be state, city or pri
yste, refuse absolutely to sell moro thai
a small percentage Of the entire stand
By doing this the market 10 never over
stocked, for the demand Is always great
ar than the cost Of production.
Pine from the Darmstadt city forest
Ia used, very much as 1t is here In To
United States, for construction an
building. Logs Of from IL to Is inche
| In diameter command, in the weodl
from $40 to s35 the 1000 feet, boar
Medium sized trees, fit for poles, mir
inc props, etc., bring s12 q cord, whil
| smaller stuff, used for boz lumber, slac
| cooperage, etc., bring, In the woodi
usually five or more miles from the raj
road, q price ranging from $S to 80
cord.
Asa rule. the timber and fuel WOO