Forest Management Required 23 
farmers and foresters have a common interest, because the 
business of each depends upon using the soil to the best 
advantage. 
PosstsBiuiries or Farm Wooptorts 
The increasing scarcity and value of wood, as has been said, 
now makes conditions more favorable than they have ever been 
for the taking of active measures to grow timber. 
In their woodlots the farmers have in their possession one of 
the State’s most valuable and least developed natural resources. 
The demand for wood by the industries is from three to five 
times as much as is now being grown in the State. New York 
soils are fertile and second-growth forests under proper care 
develop rapidly. A great variety of native woods of high 
grade could be supphed from this source with relative ease, 
and farmers by devoting a part of their winter time to this 
work could produce a crop of useful, worth-while trees at the 
maximum rate of growth. Forests are by nature self-perpetu- 
ating and yield an unlimited number of crops under suitable 
care. The College and the State can furnish information and 
demonstration of the proper methods. In 1920 the “ Free Tree 
Bill” was passed, which provides for the raising of trees by 
the Conservation Commission and their free distribution to 
_ persons desiring to reforest. This is a commendable step and 
should stimulate planting. There is already sufficient man- 
power to handle the lands to advantage. In addition to the 
better utilization of time, the rising price of lumber would be 
all in favor of the farmer, and it is recognized that stumpage 
values are moving steadily upward but seldom downward. 
With this crop there is never the need of sacrificing the profits 
of a season’s toil, because the timber can ordinarily be held 
without deterioration until the market prices are sufticiently 
attractive to warrant cutting. That is one thing which most 
people do not consider in regard to timber lands. Improved 
timber lands are increased in value as much as the improve- 
ment adds to them, regardless of whether the present owner 
ever cuts the crop. 
