farmers' institutes. 663 



paid we are insured of a profitable income beyond what could possibly 

 be made from continued agi-iculture for the same period of time. 



The diminisliiug of natural timVier is general in the United States. 

 The valley of the Wabash has been cleared to its banks. Most farmers 

 in Indiana have set aside a few remaining oaks for post timber, and 

 when gone, will have to grow them or buy them. This is true throughout 

 the whole Middle West, there being greater scarcity west of the Missis- 

 sippi than east. No natural supply from any region of the Middle West 

 need be counted on in the future. 



The necessarj' consequences of the diminution of natural timber is a 

 general rise in prices. Every year finds the natural timber scarcer and 

 the prices higher. A railroad official a few months ago after giving the 

 matter careful consideration estimated the value of cross-ties fifteen years 

 hence at 75 cents each, and that no material has been found as a substi- 

 tute for the wooden tie and that there is no method of preserving the 

 life of the wood. 



What is here said of cross-ties must be true of every variety of tim- 

 ber. The use of these materials must continue and must grow rather 

 than diminish. The estimated increase in the value of the tie 15 years- 

 hence is conservative, and it is not Tinlikely that posts will increase in 

 proportion, and telegraph poles much more in that time. 



From every reasonable view, great profit will be made in the grow- 

 ing of forest trees in tlie next tAventy-five years. Every condition is so 

 favorable that the matter passes from doubt to absolute certainty. That 

 extensive operations shoidd be carried on in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and 

 the Middle States is due to the fact that here the most favorable condi- 

 tions exist; here the supply of natural products is almost exhausted; 

 prices are higher; soil most fertile and people most familiar with the 

 process of development. 



The tendency of the times is toward the smaller acreage of farms, 

 better fencing, and with the hundreds of miles of projected lines of elec- 

 tric railroad, mean a much greater demand for the post and tie-timber 

 product. 



I believe the successful farmer will be equal to the occasion, and will 

 meet these demands intelligently by producing on his farm this kind of 

 timber, and will find that a large profit will be made by so doing. 



Every farmer can set aside a few acres of his farm for the growing 

 of black and white walnut, black locust and the hardy catalpa. These 

 species of trees are the best known kind for these purposes, most rapid 

 growers, best suited, and are the most dui-able when in contact with the 

 soil. These trees may be grown on ordinary soil to the niiml)er of 2,000 

 per acre; and they do best on the best soil, but poor soil is better than 

 none at all. 



These trees rightly cultivated will be suitable for posts in twelve 

 years, and from twelve to fifteen years be large enough for ties. It is 



