34 

 FINANCIAL ASPECTS. 



The woodlot crop, unlike most other farm crops, requires 

 a long period of years to reach maturity. Largely for this 

 reason the importance of the woodlot has been overlooked. 

 Few farmers appreciate the value of a stand of finely formed 

 trees in their woodlot. Such a stand of trees in any woodlot, 

 even though they are saplings, is an asset to the farm, and 

 like a growing colt, represents a definite future value. Unless 

 the waste land found on nearly every farm, that is more suit- 

 able for growing timber than any other crop, is utilized in this 

 way, the land will continue to be unproductive for an indefi- 

 nite time and will be a source of expense and detriment to the 

 remainder of the farm. 



The financial success of any woodlot proposition depends 

 upon three factors: 



I. The Initial Cost of the Undertaking. As growing timber 

 is a long-time investment, the first cost must be held down to 

 a minimum or the interest on the investment will use up the 

 possible profits. The cost of the planting stock is one of the 

 first items to consider. This is a small item when nuts or 

 acorns are to be planted, if a plan has been thought out. In 

 seasons when a heavy crop of nuts or acorns are produced the 

 cost of the seed will be very little indeed, and the planting 

 may be deferred until such a seed year occurs. 



When seedling stock is used the plants may be grown in a 

 home nursery or under contract by some commercial nursery- 

 man. 31 The seedlings of the broad-leaved species are easily 

 grown at but very little expense. The evergreen seedlings are 

 more difficult to grow, and it is not advisable to attempt to 

 grow these in a home nursery. Such stock when wanted in 

 large numbers can be contracted for at a much less price than 

 the quoted trade prices. 



The cost of the actual planting of the nuts or the seedling 

 trees is also an item of the initial cost. This work must be 

 planned so as to fit in with the regular schedule of the farm 

 work. Plan to begin planting early in the spring before the 

 other work demands full time of the working crew. This work 

 should be organized so that there will be no loss of time when 

 the planting crew is on the ground. In planting trees three 



II. The state forest nursery will contract and grow seedling stock as cheaply as the 



farmer can grow it himself. 



