100 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



For the New Eiigland Farmer. 

 RAISING FOREST TREES. 



Mr. EniTOR : The attention of fanners has recently 

 been directed to the subject of preserving and ex- 

 tending our forests. To some this may seem like 

 a retrograde movement in the art of agriculture. 

 There may remain in many minds something of the 

 impression under -which our ancestors acted, that 

 trees are an encumbrance, and that the woodman's 

 axe is at the foundation of all the most valuable im- 

 provements. This impression, to a great extent, had 

 just foundation in the early settlement of the country ; 

 but circumstances have greatly changed since that 

 period. Formerly, the chief purpose of farmers was 

 to avail themselves of the natural strength of virgin 

 soils ; and it wa.s easy to obtain all that was necessary 

 or expected by passing from the long-tilled fields 

 and clearing away forests to form new ones. Tliis 

 system has had its day, and the means of pursuing it 

 no longer exist. Let the views with which it was 

 once pursued pass away with it. Let our systems 

 and practices be regulated with wise reference to 

 the wants of the present and the probable condition 

 of future generations. 



With the exception of small circles around cities, 

 much more land is cleared of forest in the common- 

 wealth than the present population can cultivate to 

 any advantage in grass and grain ; some of it is 

 l>-ing in a state of absolute waste. We can convert 

 the most exhausted fields into flourishing forests in a 

 few years. In what more important or praisewor- 

 thy labor can we engage ? Some tell us this business 

 of raising forests may be an excellent thing for 

 future generations, but they cannot afford to vest 

 capital on so long trust. 



This idea of realizing immediate profit from what- 

 ever we do defeats many highly-important enter- 

 prises. But this work of planting worn fields with 

 forest trees is not so exclusively for the benefit of 

 another generation as is often supposed. 



A field planted by the Avriter ten years ago, is 

 now of more than double the value it was when the 

 operation commenced; in the next ten years it 

 probably will increase in value still more. We are 

 sitting in this inclement season by good open fires, 

 built of wood, the seed of which was sown less than 

 twenty years since. Those who think this not a 

 sufHciently early return for labor, may go, if they 

 choose, to California, and dig in mud and water for 

 reward more to their taste. We hope, however, 

 there will always remain a sufRcient number, stead- 

 fastly attached to their paternal homes, to beautify 

 old Massachusetts v.ith just proportions of verdant 

 groves and highly-cultivated valleys. 



With recommendations to extend forests, we would 

 contribute as much as in our power in aid of those 

 engaged in this comparatively novel work. Num- 

 bers, it is perceived, are engaged in transplanting. 

 This coxirse is believed to be more expensive, and not 

 productive of so good results as sowing the seed. 

 Evergreens, in particular, it is difficult to transplant 

 in so perfect a manner as will be followed by an 

 immediate and vigorous growth. Other kinds of 

 trees mox-e favorable for transplanting are found to 

 flourish better where they were originally planted. 

 But if transplanting could be supposed productive of 

 equally f\ivorablc results, the expense of it would 

 alone justify a strong recommendation to sow the 

 seed in preference. Dry seasons often destroy 

 transplanted trees, more rarely seedlings. 



Forc?t seed of every kind will usually vegetate 

 well, if too much art be not employed in the preser- 

 vation and the planting. Experience seems to prove 

 that it is best to gather the first ripened seed and 

 sow iiTimcdiatclj% leaving it chiefly or entirely to 

 the operations of nature to cover the seed. The 



natural spread of forest trees indorse this doctrine. 

 Listances have been witnessed where forest seed 

 had been buried in the earth too deep to vegetate for 

 many years, and afterwards, turned near the surface 

 by the plough, has sprung up and flourished. The 

 easiest and cheapest methods of managing forest seed 

 seem most likely to insure success. This, no doubt, 

 will be regarded by many as strange doctrine ; they 

 will suppose, with Naaman, that great results can be 

 produced only by great performances. We, like the 

 servants, say. Try simj^le means. 



Pembiioke, Feb. 28, ISiD. M. A. 



Editorial Remarks. 

 The above communication is from one who has 

 done much to clothe our barren lands with beautiful 

 and valuable forests; and though he did not commence 

 operations in this branch in early life, he is now en- 

 joying the fruits of his labor. lie makes one sugges- 

 tion that is not duly considered. We now have ex- 

 tensive lands that are almost barren ; and if rapid 

 improvement be made, it will be a long time before 

 these lands can all be renovated, so as to produce a 

 good crop. How important, then, to plant forest trees 

 on some of these lands, which will yield a good growth 

 before they could be improved by manure and culti- 

 vation ! and after the valuable crop of trees, the 

 land will be in better condition for other crops, than 

 if it had remained in an almost barren state, aa 

 the leaves and the roots of the trees, with some 

 other parts that decay on the land, will improve ita 

 condition very much. 



For the Neio Engla7id Fat^mer. 

 LIME AS A MANURE. 



Mr. Cole : NotAvithstanding the war waged against 

 lime as a manure, by some of our agricultural 

 writers, we are still of the opinion, that when applied 

 on certain soils, or composted with swamp mud, it is 

 one of the most efficient fertilizers of the soil. 



The very general opinion that the soils of Massa- 

 chusetts contain a sufficiency of this mineral, and 

 the prevailing prejudice against the use of lime for 

 agricultural purposes in the Old Bay State, have, 

 probably, deteiTcd many from making experiments 

 that might have resulted in incalculable benefit to 

 the farmers. 



So far as our experience extends, it may be advan- 

 tageoiisly applied on mxxch of the soil in the Old 

 Colony. Composted Avith swamp muck, it makes a 

 valuable top dressing for our light, sandy soils ; and 

 it is equally efficient when applied to vegetable or 

 grain crops. Sown broadcast on our acid soils, its 

 effect is twofold : it improves the quality and in- 

 creases the quantity of vegetation. Doctor Dana 

 says, " It is the lime, the base of the salts, which 

 acts, and that always as lime, no matter how it w 

 applied. 



"Its action is threefold, each distinct: first, as 

 a neutralizer ; secondly, a decomposer ; thirdly, a 

 converter. 



" 1st. Where free acids exist in soil, lime acts as a 

 neutralizer. 



" 2d. If any acid gcine exists in the soil, or any free 

 acids, carbonic acid is then liberated ; it acts on the 

 geato of lime ; supergcates result, and these are 

 easily soluble. 



" 3d. The great use of lime is a converter, turning 

 solid and insoluble geine, even solid vegetable fibre, 

 into soluble vegetable food. 



" Fertility depends wholly on salts and geino. 



