Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 June 1887 — FORESTRY. [ARTICLE]

FORESTRY.

I'reserve the forests. Among the most practical and most valuable features in forestry is that which bestows intelligent attention upon the preservation and economic use of the old forests now in existence. Not to disparage the efforts to plant new forests, yet those already in existence should not be ignored. It is entirelv feasible, in many localities, to select the ripe, full-grown trees tor cutting, and thus allow the smaller specimens to have the advantage of sun and air and plant food in their future growth. It is suicidal to cut down half-grown forest trees in the greed for gain. A certain percentage of the trees in an old forest may be cut every few years, without lessening, to any appreciable extent, the value of what remains. Those who are fortunate enough to own blocks of old-growth timber land in New England should not waste them in reckless cuttings. Trees for Shade and Ornament. At a recent meeting of farmers at Boston the subject of the best trees for shade and ornament was considered. Mr. O. B. Hadwen, of Worcester, opened the discussion with a paper in which he said that the judicious planting and culture of these trees is always wise, giving a result appreciated by generations to come. In planting trees by roadsides there is usually little knowledge displayed, the road seldom being properly prepared. It is important to consider the soil and exposure and select trees which will best thrive in the situation. In narrow roads they should be set a few feet in the land of abutters, escaping the often ruthless treatment of the highway surveyor, and giving room for widening when necessary. Of the trees thus used in New England the maples, sugar, Norway, red, white, and silver, are most abundant, and of these the sugar maple is the favorite with the farmer. The Norway, which may be called a recent importation, is very hardy, withstanding successfully the New England ice storms, and will grow and thrive in hard-pan, where the sugar-maple will not live. The red-maple is not a good street tree, but is very ornamental. The silver-maple is handsome and gives a good shade, but is very easily broken by ice. The elms, for some situations, are very much esteemed, particularly the American, but they need wide streets and large grounds for their development. The oak, abundant in the pasture and forest, but too rarely adorns public or private grounds. It is seldom transplanted, but well worthy of it, although this is difficult to do unless watered often; a group of them can hardly be excelled, especially in summer and autumn. In some respects the English oak is better than our own, particularly in regard to holding its color far into the winter. The ash is indigenous hereabout, but the white is most prominent. It is best seen in contrast with other trees; it needs a deep, light, even swampy soil, and must have the best treatment for a rapid growth. Of the walnuts, the hickory, black and English, and butternuts are most prominent; the black, however, seems to suffer more from the ice than any other ornamental tree. Of the birches, the English, blue, white, black, andyellow are the most noticeable; perhaps the first place should be given to the European or weeping birch, which thrives well and makes a beautiful street tree. Among the finer trees are the beeches, as their brilliancy ie unequaled by any of the family; especially the purple beech. The tulip is a great favorite on extensive grounds, and is of rapid growth, but difficult to transplant; for that purpose they should be. grown in nurseries on a plank to spread the roots.