PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 301 



TIMBERMAN'S PROBLEMS. 



The ownership of a tract of timber land carries with it many questions besides 

 the one usually attributed ; viz., to clear away the trees, convert them into lumber, 

 and that into cash in the briefest possible time. 



There are many owners of timber lands who must have the money which 

 the property represents, and on which they are paying interest. And these men 

 will place their lumber upon the market as quickly as possible, without regard to 

 future results. But the capitalist who has purchased forest property for the 

 purpose of an investment, and who wishes to realize the greatest interest upon 

 the capital involved for a long period of time finds other problems to wrestle with ; 

 and these are of greater importance than the one first named. 



The long-headed financier asks himself, "In what manner can I increase my 

 capital more rapidly if I withdraw it from its present employment?" 



That is, if the timber is converted into money, to what service can this cash be 

 placed so that it will bring greater return in young, growing timber? 



Speculation has a fascination for men, and occasionally one gains by some 

 lucky stroke, just as the lottery brings an occasional prize while the vast majority 

 of tickets are blanks. 



There is no investment which is so sure of producing a regular and legitimate 

 income as that of well-situated lands. Yet, when to this is added the increment 

 of growing timber trees of proper kind, one need not look for a more profitable 

 or safe means of employing one's capital. How to realize a safe income and yet 

 not kill the golden-egged goose is an important consideration, and this we purpose 

 discussing. 



There are elements of uncertainty in every human calculation. Fire may 

 destroy the entire body of inflammable timber and the land may be left with 

 greatly depreciated valuation ; hence, every effort should be made to protect 

 the property from such disaster. This is a duty of the State and National govern- 

 ment in return for taxes demanded of the owner, as much so as that a fire 

 department should be maintained in a city. 



It is an act of dishonesty for any community to "hold up" the owner of a 

 forest tract for heavy taxes each year and render no equivalent in the protection 

 of such property. Laws should be enacted and officers instructed to enforce such 

 laws as will adequately protect timber from malicious and careless trespassers 

 who leave camp fires burning which the wind may fan into a great conflagration. 

 Severe penalties should be provided by law for causing fires, and carelessness 

 under the guise of accident should be no excuse. 



