THE CREATION OF NEW TREES 



the number he thinks will produce the best 

 results. At the end of twelve years each tree 

 will offer a clear trunk without branches which, 

 when stripped of its outer slabs and squared, 

 will be at least fifteen feet long by a foot and a 

 half square. This will give three hundred feet 

 of clear timber, board measure, per tree. Black 

 walnut lumber has been steadily disappearing 

 from the market. Year by year it has as steadily 

 increased in price until it has now become one 

 of the rare woods, running in cost from $200 

 per thousand feet, board measure, to $600 

 or $700 per thousand feet for particularly fine 

 pieces. 



Taking but $250 as the average price of 

 black walnut lumber per thousand, certainly a 

 conservative figure, at the end of the twelve- 

 year period each tree is worth approximately 

 $80. The acre yield would be $2,880. For an 

 average farm of 160 acres the revenue for the 

 twelve years, with no outlay save the cost of 

 planting, not over twenty-five cents per tree, 

 taxes upon the land, and interest upon money 

 invested, would be a little over $460,000. This 

 does not take into account the value of the 

 branches, and the refuse slabs of the mill-saw- 



51 



