The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-11-06

Ing by their efforts. but they are In
the minority. IF oil the farm wood
lands could be combined they would
form one vast forest Of 1o1,Oo0,0OO
acres. This Is approximately two
iifths Of the entire forest area OF the
country. East Of the Mississippi the
farm woodlands cover 40 per cent OF
all the forests. The farmers have
scarcely begun to systematically de-
yelop and use these timbered lands.
although they consume 10 per cent OF
all the wood consumed In this coun-
try. Agriculture Is the greatest OF our
wood.using industries.
Opportunity Overlooked.
Taken as a whole It Is an immense
item that agricultural interests are
overlooking. say officials Of the forest
service, United States Department OF
Agriculture. who have made a study
of the countrys forest resources.
The annual growth of timber pos
sible on farm woodlots has been
estimated at $500 00O.0 900 board feet
Of material suitable for lumber, slaves,
boxes, etc, and 114.000.OO0 cords Of
fuel wood. In other words. II properly
cared for the farm woodlands could
produce more than the entire quantity
OF fuel now consumed by the farmers
and 81 per cent Of the lumber boxes,
barrels. ETC., now used by them.
Too often the size Of the farm wood.
lot. the material II contains. and Its
value to the farm are left entirely to
chance. The farmers problem Is to
determine what parts Of his land are
suited to wood rather than other crops
aud 10 develop these portions for wood
crops lust as he would develop land
for other crops. The farmer IN many
of the lake states and the South Is In
clined to let his woodland be merely
the unimproved land In his holdings.
Its soil may or may not be inferior for
field crops. In the Central States many
woodlands occupy undrained land
which comprises some Of the best soil
In the region. In the Eastern States,
particularly In New England. farm
woodlands are being extended through
reverston Of Hill pastures and the like
to forests. In this latter region. and
10 4 more limited extent In the other
regions. there II IN opportunity to
grow commercial crops OF timber In
relatively short periods for such prod
ucts as pulp wood. box lumber. tele-
phone poles and railway ties.
To Market Wood Products.
In many communities a cooperative
marketing organization OF the farmers
10 suggested by the United States De-
pnrtment OF Agriculture ms prac-
ll..al means of selling woodland
products. In Other instances indi-
,ld,mi ules prove more satisfac-
Tory. Tie farmer who Is inter-
estcd In finding market for this
crop should ascertain what prices the
mills and wood working industries IN
his region will offer. This applies 10
sales requiring shipments us well as
10 local snles II is advisable also to
inquire from neighbnrs who have re-
Gently disposed OF their timber so az
to profit hy tlipir experiences. Local
timber demands should not be over
looked. rs often local markets viii pay
better prices than outside markets be-
cnuSe of The saving III transportation
charges.
II the farmer has more than small
amount Of wood producIs to sell II Will
be well for him to advertise In medi.
uns thai Will secure outside coinpet'-
zion for his material Where possible
bids should be secured both by lump