Box 22, Folder 8: Trees of Wisconsin 1859, 1867

[Duplicate page-197].

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being prevented by settlement and occupation, trees are now springing up rapidly in all waste places; and in this way nature is already making efforts to prevent the disasters we are thoughtlessly bringing upon ourselves by the destruction of the forests.

These new growths should be protected as much as possible; in many cases by a good substantial fence. The value of these waste places, will, in a few years, exceed that of the cultivated land; and this with but very little cost to the owners.

But it would be idle for us, as a State, to rely entirely upon this natural restoration of the forests; we must sooner or later commence the cultivation of wood for the purposes of fuel, lumber, timber, &c., or suffer very much from the neglect.

From a recent report of the Board of Agriculture of the State of Massachusetts, we learn that the experiment of tree-planting has already been tried in that State. Mr. Whiting Metcalf planted pitch pines about twenty years ago, when he was nearly sixty years of age, and he still lives to reap the mental satisfaction and pecuniary returns, from the entirely successful experiment. From one and three fourths acres ten cords of small wood was thinned out; and there is left about fifteen cords per acre of good merchantable wood. It is estimated that the annual growth will equal at least one cord per acre hereafter; and that the result will be a profit of about thirty per cent. per annum upon the cost of the land, and of the original planting.

In the first and only volume of Transactions of the Illinois State Agricultural Society, there are a number of valuable essays on various subjects connected with the agricultural interests of the "Prairie State", and among them is one by Mr. Edson Harkness, on Tree Culture. The arguments used apply with almost equal force to Wisconsin, and we cannot do better than to copy a few of his closing remarks:

"One great inducement for entering upon the general cultivation of evergreen trees upon the prairies, is found in the protection they must afford from the severe winds of winter. A belt of cedars, pines, or firs, only two rods wide, on the north and west sides of a quarter section farm, would, even at twenty feet high, materially lessen the force of the winter blast-would

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pay as a protection to domestic animals, and to the growing of crops; and, with all, give a snugness and individuality to the farm, which must be highly ornamental, leaving out of the account the great beauty of the trees. A district of quarter section farms thus protected with good buildings, shade trees, orchards, and well-cultivated fields, would render our prairie country one of the most charming portions of the globe. It will take time, labor, wealth, and intelligence to bring about these things; but they will be done. There is wealth enough stored up in the soil itself, to render the whole country a garden; and there is industry and intelligence enough in our people to accomplish it.

"In this 'fast age', when most people expect to realize a fortune in a few months or years, by the rapid growth of cities, or the increase in the value of lands, it may seem very foolish to engage in the cultivation of forest trees, which the planter can hardly expect to see come to full maturity in his own time. Still there is a feeling in the heart of many that it is not right to live exclusively for ourselves, or for the present time-that it is right to look a little to the interests of those who shall come after us; that when we are about to leave the world, it would be quite comfortable to reflect that things are, by our feeble efforts, in a better condition than we found them when we entered it. There are some so fanciful as to suppose that in a future state of existence, the memory of what they have done in this world may, possibly, have something to do with their condition-that their good or evil deeds will follow them. There are others who go so far as to say that we can in a future state look down upon our past career, and see all the consequences of each and every act of the present life. If such should prove to be the case, the man who plants a forest can enjoy its grandeur and beauty in all subsequent time. Every one will form his opinion as to how these things may be. It is, perhaps, enough for us to know that it is a part of our duty to provide for the wants of our children, and not to confine our efforts exclusively to the things which pertain to the present, and to ourselves."

This subject, the protection of our houses, gardens, yards,

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stock, and crops, from the cold blasts of winter, is one of great importance to the farmers of Wisconsin, and should induce the immediate planting of trees where they are needed, even if there were no other reasons for doing so. I have, under several of the species, indicated the characters of the trees that render them useful for this purpose. Of course, the more rapid growing trees will first be planted, so as to secure, as soon as possible, the expected benefits; but these should always be mingled with others of slower growth and greater value. As the latter gradually attain their maturity, the former may be removed to supply the annual demand. By thus planting different kinds of trees together, we secure a more rapid and better growth; for experience shows that trees when growing together, mutually protect each other, and produce timber that is better-being more straight, solid, and free from knots. Evergreens should be planted with trees of deciduous kinds; but care must always be taken to prevent the too great interference of the branches.

It would be out of place here to enter upon details of the best mode of planting and of transplanting trees-any elementary work will afford such information. The loss of a large number of trees transplanted from the woods and nurseries, is owing to improper treatment, and might be avoided by a little attention to some of the most obvious principles of vegetable physiology. Large numbers of evergreen trees are annually brought from the northern part of this State, from Mackinac, &c., but not one in ten of such trees usually survive the careless process of removal. The proper way to remove trees from their native places in the wood, is to cover the roots as soon as taken from the ground with damp (not wet) moss, which can be secured with twine. By adopting this course, nearly every tree, with careful management after planting, will live. It would be well for every one about to procure trees from the north, to remember this hint. The trees can be packed in open boxes, and thus easily transported. Every raft floating down our rivers, at the proper season, could be made the means of supplying the country with evergreen trees, by a little attention to the above suggestions.

Those persons who are skilled in the business of the nursery

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man, should apply their skill and knowledge in the production of large quantities of young trees, which, being properly prepared, could be transferred to the farmer with much advantage and profit to both parties. Doubtless many farmers and land holders are deterred from engaging in tree planting, from a want of knowledge and skill in obtaining seeds or young plants, and in rearing them. This would be remedied if a few persons-say one in each county-would establish a nursery, from which his neighbors could, at a moderate price, obtain supplies.

It should be an object with us to preserve, in our villages, towns, and cities, specimens of the native forest trees of the State. If those having the care of public grounds would give a little attention to this subject, much beauty and interest would be added to these places. Even the rows of trees along the streets of our towns and cities might be made to represent the ancient forest, now rapidly being defaced and swept away by the all-devouring axe. What lasting beauty and variety would thus be secured for those grounds and streets! A public square filled mostly with trees of any single species, is a beautiful object; but how much more beautiful and interesting it would be if it contained sixty different trees, and an under growth of a hundred handsome and ornamental shrubs. Such places would at once give character to the locality, and attract to it people of taste and refinement.

It would seem to be peculiarly appropriate for our University and Colleges to secure upon the grounds by which they are surrounded, at least one good specimen of each tree and shrub that grows naturally in Wisconsin; and I will venture to predict that the University or College that shall first surround itself with such an "Arboretum", will first secure the patronage and good opinion of the people; and will thus outstrip those institutions that show a lack of taste and refinement, by omitting to plant trees.

It is found that the rate of increase of the wood growing on an acre of land is about at the rate of one cord per year. In the native woods, this quantity is annually destroyed by storms and natural decay, thus making room for the new growth. A famiX