132 THE CORNELL READING-COURSES 



If the danger from the disease disappears, chestnut will be one of the most 

 desirable timbers for the warmer sections of the State. 



White oak grows so slowly that, in spite of its excellent timber, it is not 

 a satisfactory tree for private owners to plant. Thrifty young white oak 

 timber already in the woods, however, should be given good care. 



Hemlock is not advised for general planting where the object is to raise 

 timber. It does not transplant easily, grows slowly, and the timber is 

 inferior to other kinds that can be raised on the same soil. On any soil 

 in this State where hemlock will grow, Norway spruce can be grown to 

 better advantage. Where hemlock is already in the woods, however, it is 

 well worth caring for when it does not interfere with better trees. It will 

 grow under heavy shade. 



Austrian pine is sometimes used in forest planting, but it has no advan- 

 tages for New York over the other pines mentioned above, and is not to 

 be recommended for woodlot purposes. 



SUMMARY 



1. The timber crop can be improved by care, for the same reasons that 

 other crops can be improved. 



2 . Although it takes longer to raise this crop than any other, it can be 

 raised on land otherwise unprofitable or idle. 



3. Such a crop will in the end yield a comfortable bank account: and 

 the value of the woodlot to the farm is greater than the sale value of the 

 crop, in the convenience and the saving of money by having various wood 

 products at hand ; in protecting buildings and fields from wind ; and in the 

 beauty of the farm. The time is coming when thrifty young timber, not 

 yet large enough to cut, will have a good sale value. 



4. The care of this crop causes little expense, and the woodlot offers 

 one means of solving the problem of how to keep good farm help profitably 

 employed all the year. 



5. The three principal aims in caring for the woodlot should be: to keep 

 the ground thoroughly covered with trees; to have only the best possible 

 trees ; to make them grow rapidly. 



6. In order to make timber grow fast, care should be taken in choosing 

 the kinds of trees to raise; the soil should be kept moist and mellow by 

 protecting the leaf mulch; the best trees should be given a fair amount of 

 light by making improvement cuttings. 



7. Methods of starting new trees, either to fill openings now in the 

 woods or to replace timber to be harvested, are as follows : by sprouts ; by 

 seed falling from neighboring trees; by sowing seed broadcast; by planting 

 trees or seed. 



