Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 December 1900 — To Renew Forests. [ARTICLE]

To Renew Forests.

The division of forestry of the department of agriculture has during the last summer examined the sites of a number of plantations in Indiana, in response to the application for tree planting plans which have been received from this state. Although four-fifths of Indiana was originally well timbered, much of the state is now practically treeless, with the exception of narrow strip 3 along the rivers. In some places the available timber has all been cut off, even down to the streams. Farmers have therefore had to undertake tree planting in order to keep themselves supplied with fenoe posts and wood for various uses on the farm. The conditions in these now treeless portions of Indiana are, however, very favorable to the establishment of plantations, especially in the regions where the originally marshy lowlands have been drained off. Besides this, the recent law which praotioally exempts tree plantations from taxations will decidedly reduce their oost. The planting plans, whioh will be based oh the surveys made last summer, will consist of recommendations regarding desirable species, preparation of the soil, and methods of establishing and managing the plantation with reference to the needs of each caso. The work has been under the charge of the assistant superintendent of tree planting for the division. The planting plans will probably be completed before next spring.