INDIANA HORTICULTtTEAL SOCIETY. ' 559 



tions of timber supply in every community. I believe in this connection 

 that the law just mentioned should be made to apply. Three things are 

 wrong with the present forests, namely: they are poor in the quality of 

 timber which they possess, they are more devoted to grazing than to 

 forest and are not rightly located on the farm. The vast majority of the 

 timber now standing is beech and other similarly valued trees. They are 

 mature, damaged, and do not pay a fair dividend for their retention. 

 The area is also constantly grazed, and thus a new growth is prevented 

 from forming. The location is a result of consequence and not of choice. 

 When the farm was planned clearing began at tlie premises and expanded 

 In all directions until the remnant of forest remaining is in the remotest 

 corner and perhaps occupies the best land on the farm. In ninety-nine 

 cases out of every hundred, if half or even less of the present forest area 

 were devoted exclusively to forest purposes and the remaining part to 

 grazing far more of each would be obtained. A forest tract if not too 

 densely sodded, and if protected from fire and stocli, will soon form a 

 dense undergrowth, which if given a little forestry attention will in a 

 few years exceed the most sanguine expectations. If the natural condi- 

 tions are not suited because of sod and lack of seed trees, the ground 

 can be broken up and seeds scattered of the kinds desired. Fi-equently, 

 however, when the sod is broken the seeds lying dormant in the humus 

 spring forth and sowing is unnecessary. 



It is my judgment that farmers should take this matter under sincere 

 consideration and plan new forests on their farms. Place them where 

 they will form a protection to the premises or otherwise better located. 

 1 also think the above law will aid much in the promotion of this feature, 

 though I am sure I do not want legislation to usurp the duty individuals 

 owe themselves, but this feature largely carried on will be so general 

 and so beneficial in results that I think the state should encourage it 

 by some legislative action that will insure its being done. It will be 

 casting bread upon the waters to be gathered up many days hence, 

 some fifty, some sixty, and some a hundred-fold. 



Prof. Latta: If you have anj^ questions now is the time for them. 



Mr. Stanley: In regard to the underbrush that will spring up in the 

 woods, will that retard the growth of the timber? 



Mr. Freeman: Yes, it will, and should be kept down. That is one 

 objection we have got to not turning the sheep in. They will not confine 

 themselves to these buslies, however. It would be a flue thing if we could 

 educate them to eat just these and nothing else. 



Mr. DeVilbiss: Do you believe that all is true that is claimed for the 

 catalpa? 



Mr. Freeman: I am glad that this question has been asked. I 

 intended to express myself on the Catalpa Speciosa. It is my conviction 



