FORESTRY REPORT OF GEORGE B. EMERSON. 405 



In answer to circulars addressed to Mr. Emerson, about forty years 

 siDce, for information upon subjects relating to woodlands in Massachu- 

 setts, the time required to grow timber to a size profitable for fuel was 

 variously estimated at from 15, 17. 18, and 20, to 25, 30, and 35 years; the 

 average of ten estimates being 23 vears. Others spoke less definitely, 

 as from 15 to 20, 17 to 30, 20 to 25,^20 to 30, 20 to 33, 20 to 40, 25 to 30, 

 15 to 35, and 30 to 35, for woods of mixed kinds. The average of four- 

 teen of such estimates was 21 to 24, and a general average 24 years. 

 Ditferences in soil, moisture, exposure to sun, air and winds, aspect, geo- 

 logical formation, drainage, and other causes would more or less influ- 

 ence the result aside from ditference of species. 



The white or gray birch was found most rapid of growth, springing 

 quickly from the stump, and coming to a size for cutting, in from 10 to 20 

 years. The maple, ash, and black, yellow, and white birch, grew in from 20 

 to 25 years, oaks in from 20 to 23, and a mixed growth of white, black, 

 and scarlet oak could be cut three times in a century. Cedar swamps, 

 which grow from seed, cannot be i)rofitably cut in less than 40 years. 

 Pitch-pines require from seed from 40 to 60 years. In many places the 

 experiment has been tried of burning over the surface, plowing and sow- 

 ing with rye where the trees had been hard wood ; this practice was 

 condemned, but in pitch-pine it was recommended. The seedlings 

 started much more rapidly where the surface had been softened by culti- 

 vation. 



It is thought well established, that trees for fuel shoot up most vigor- 

 ously when cut under 25 years of age, and that trees for reproductioa 

 should be cut as close to the ground as possible. Several suckers will 

 be thrown out which will be curved at the base, thereby allowing more 

 room to grow. As to the age at which stumps send up shoots most 

 vigorously, there was little difiference of opinion that young, healthy 

 growing trees were best, from 15 to 20 years. Old trees lose the power, 

 or, if shoots come up they soon die. In some cases these spring from 

 the roots. Evergreens do not thus reproduce,^ and the sugar-maple and 

 beech but slightly. To secure reproduction the trees should be cut when 

 not in leaf, and some careful observers preferred April or May. The 

 quality of the wood cut appears to be beter if cut early in winter. If 

 the object is to destroy shoots, the trees should be cut in summer ; but 

 opinions differed as to the month, preferences being expressed for June, 

 July, August, or midsummer. A very intelligent farmer preferred " Au- 

 gust, or when the tree had attained its full growth for that season." 

 Mr Emerson, gave his approval of this period, as the wood has then 

 formed but not hardened, or the materials laid up for future growth. 

 A conclusive experiment had been made in a cleaving of young hickories, 

 oaks, and birches, which had been made from time to time as leisure 

 offered, from the 18th of March to the L8th of July. The part cut 

 between June 18th and 30th was killed, and those cut before leaving out 

 were most prompt in renewing their sprouts. 



It was remarked by Mr. Emerson that most forest trees were injuri- 

 ously affected by the sea-breeze, and that this could best be remedied 

 by planting bnly the hardiest kinds along the seaward border, such as 

 the sycamore, linden, and poplars, especially the Balm of Gilead, and 

 many of the pines. Almost any trees might do it when growing in large 

 masses. The effect does not extend far inland, and on the most exposed 

 headlands, half a mile within a forest, the trees were found growing as 

 large as was due to their depth of soil. 



'The pitch-pine sprouts and prows for some time when cut, but generally dies down 

 in a few years. The fallen trunk itself throws out sprouts the first summer. 



