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THE CARE OF THE FARM WOOD-LOT 



J. M. SwAiNE, Assistant Entomologist for Forest Insects, C. E. F., Ottawa 



Throughout the greater part of Eastern Canada there is a wood-lot of more 

 or less value attached to nearly every farm. It seems that the wood-lot is com- 

 monly looked upon as a sort of wood mine. The attitude of the farmer too often 

 is to obtain from it his supply of fuel, the poles and posts that he requires, and 

 such dimension timber as it may afford; but to give no thought whatever to the 

 conservation of the supply. As the capital is constantly decreased, with little 

 reseeding, and no attempt at planting, the wood-lots are nearing the vanishing 

 point in many districts. This is unfortunate. If the wood is of fair size, if one- 

 fortieth of its wood content will meet the season's requirements, it may be kept 

 in good condition indefinitely, yielding a constant supply of fire-wood, poles and 

 posts for generations. 



Aside from the direct revenue which it may yield, a wood-lot has certain in- 

 direct, but not inconsiderable, values. It covers, or should cover, the poorest up- 

 lands. If it is happily located in relation to the rest of the farm it may, if properly 

 cared for, act to some extent as a reservoir, holding the soil water to be gradually 

 distributed to the lower levels. This is particularly true if streams flow through 

 the woods towards the rest of the farm. It serves as a home for the birds, or with 

 some attention may do so. The wild birds are remarkably effective in destroying 

 insects and weed-seeds. The wood-lot may be of much value as a beautiful strip 

 of forest, as a private park. 



In order to obtain the best return from forest land, one must give to it some 

 considerable thought, some little time. In particular, it is necessary to attend to 

 two matters : the conservation of the soil moisture and the proper reproduction 

 by seeds or seedlings. 



The Conservation of Sou Moisture. — Under good forest conditions, the 

 moisture is held in the woods by the dense " crown cover " of boughs overhead, 

 which shuts out the direct rays of the sun, and by a " soil cover " of shrubbery and 

 humus. In dense woods the circulation is slow, and winds are unable to penetrate 

 to exert their drying effect. Wood growth requires an immense amount of mois- 

 ture, and when the supply is deficient, the less vigorous pprts dry up or are killed 

 by insects and fungi. It is of much importance, therefore, to preserve the " crown 

 cover," for upon it will depend the nature of the " soil cover," and in improvement- 

 cuttings and crop cutting by the selection method, care should be taken not to 

 remove sufficient wood to allow free entrance of fight from above. When a sod 

 of grass and weeds begins to form beneath and between the trees one can be sure 



