60 WHAT I KNOW OF FARMING. 



as much. Hickory, Chestnut, and Walnut, while 

 they yield nuts that can be eaten or sold, are worth 

 far more as timber than an equal bulk of -Beech, 

 Birch, Hemlock, or Red Oak. Chestnut has more 

 than doubled in value within the last few years, 

 mainly because it has been found excellent for the 

 inside wood-work of dwellings. Locust also seems 

 to be increasing in value. Ten acres of large, thrifty 

 Locust near this City would now buy a pretty good 

 farm ; as I presume it would, if located near any of 

 our great cities. 



YIII. Where several good varieties of Timber are 

 grown together, some insect or atmospheric trouble 

 may blast one of them, yet leave the residue alive 

 and hearty. And, if all continue thrifty, some may 

 be cut out and sold, leaving others more room to 

 grow and rapidly attain a vigorous maturity. 



IX. Wherever timber has become scarce and valua- 

 ble, a wood-lot should be thinned out, nevermore 

 cleared off, unless it is to be devoted to a different use. 

 It seems to me that destroying a forest because we 

 want timber is like smothering a hive of bees because 

 we want honey. 



X. Timber should be cut with intelligent reference 

 to the future. Locust and other valuable trees that 

 it is desirable should throw up shoots from the 

 stump, and rapidly reproduce their kind, should be 

 cut in March or April ; while trees that you want 

 to exterminate should be cut in August, so that they 

 may not sprout. There may be exceptions to this 



