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State College of Agriculture

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Library

Cornell University Libra

SD 387.W6R64
The farm woodlots of Tompkins County.

Cornell University

Library

The original of this book is in
the Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in
the United States on the use of the text.

http://Awww.archive.org/details/cu31924002966350

THE FARM WOODLOTS

OF

TOMPKINS Gouwnt?tTyY:.

BY

F.E ROBERTSON.

1909.

Introduction.

~

In making a study of the farm woodlots of Tompkins
County, the object has been to treat the subject from
the standpoint of farm management, in so far as the
woodlot is related to the farm, rather than from the

forestall or botanical point of view. For want of time

and means, the ecological and adeptic factors that in-

fPiuence forest growth, are not considered to any great
extent, except as they are noticeably in evidence and
have a bearing on the care of the woodlot or on the
question of tree planting.

At the present time Tompkins County has woodlots,
not forests. The care of these woodlots should be
closely related to farm management. Their future
worth to the farm depends upon the care that they now
receive.

The following discussion has to do with early
history of the forests, the present condition of the
woodlots, and a few suggestions as to what may be done
in order to improve their condition in the future.

Aclmowledgment is due Professor G.F. Warren for

helpful suggestions ; Mr. Walter Havens of Lansing,

Introduction.

~

In making a study of the farm woodlots of Tompkins
domty, the object has been to treat the subject from
the standpoint of farm management, in so far as the
woodlot is related to the farm, rather than from the
forestal or botanical point of view. For want of time

and means, the ecological and adeptic factors that in-

fluence forest growth, are not considered to any great
extent, except as they are noticeably in evidence and
have a bearing on the care of the woodlot or on the
question of tree planting.

At the present time Tompkins County has woodlots,
not forests. The care of these woodlots should be
closely related to farm management. Their future
worth to the farm depends upon the care that they now
receive.

The following discussion has to do with early
history of the forests, the present condition of the
woodlots, and a few suggestions ss to what may be done
in order to improve their condition in the future.

Aclnowledgment is due Professor G.F. Warren for

helpful suggestions ; Mr. Walter Havens of Lansing,

Mr. Charles Bruce of Danby, Mr. Holmes Hollister of
Ithaca, and others, for much historical information

in regard to lumbering methods, early prices, etc.

PART I.
The History of the Early Conditions.

In the year 1789, ten years after the memorable
expedition of General Sullivan, history records the
first permanent settlement made in Tompkins County, as
being located near the present site of Ithaca. Other
settlements were made soon after this, and within a
period of fifteen years there were various settlements
located in each of what are now townships. The greater
pert of this territory was then a portion of Albany
County. Since that time the bowndaries have been
frequently changed until at the present time Tompkins
County consists of nine townships : Caroline, Danby,
Enfield, Dryden, Groton, Ithaca, Newfield, Ulysses and
Lansing.

Closely following the beginning of each of these

settlements, sawmills were erected. The following

table shows the recorded dates.

Township First settlement First sawmill
Caroline -----~--~- VIQGB ree sree 1800
Danby ------------- 1795 0 #---------- 1797
Dryden --=-~--------= W797 0 ween nn 1800
Enfield ----------~ 1804 ----------- 1812
Groton ------------ 179800 --~--------- 1811
Ithaca -—9--<-----<- 1789 ----------- 1813
Newfield -------~--- 101 ---------- 1809
Ulysses ----------- W91l ----------- 1796
Lansing ----------~- sstenieadiesttertententeietententaeten ----

1. From the “History of the Lumber Industry of N.Y. State"

At this time Tompkins County, as well as almost the
whole of Western New York State, was covered with a dense
growth of great forest trees, consisting of pines, oaks,
hemlocks, hickories, maples, beeches, elms, basswood and
many other species, both coniferous and deciduous. It is
doubtful if anywhere in the United States was there a more
varied and luxuriant growth of pines and hardwoods than
originally grew in this section. In those early days it
was the white pine (Pinus Strobus) that was considered
most valuable, and even it, owing to the lack of markets
and shipping facilities, was valuable to the settler only
in proportion as it provided material for the building
of the home. Its abundance, straightness, and the ease
with which it could be worked up into timbers, boards,
end shingles made it of prime importance to the settler
even before the first sawmills were built. Not only
was the pine of a fine quality, but the old oaks, so
important for ship timbers, the hemlock, ash, hickory
and maples - the so-called "first growth" = were of a
quality far superior to any of the present day "second
growth" timber.

For a considerable period (1789-1822) the only
markets for the forest products of the county were those
in the local villages. The lack of markets naturally

created a certain amount of wastefulness.

Clearing the Land.

"Karly and late about his farm he goes,
A diligent worker with his own hard hands ;
He plows the rolling upland, and he sows,

And in waste places clears the wooded lands."

The present condition of the woodlots in Tompkins
County is but a natural result of the extravagant in-
difference of the early settlers, and of a lack of just
appreciation for the value of the forest.

The clearing of the forest growth from the land
was one of the first needs of the settler as soon as he
had located and erected a home for his family. It was
quite natural that the early settler should regard the
forest as an obstacle to his progress, for he had no use
for such a vast amount of timber, other than what would
supply his daily needs. Doubtless this habit of
extravagance and thoughtlessness concerning the value of
the forests has been inherited by present generations,

a Pact which might explain our present indifference to
forest protection. In the process of clearing the land
for farming purposes, a certain amount of the timber was
converted into charcoal and potash, both of which had a
stablo market value. However, the practice of converting

timber into charcoal and ashes does not appear to have been

as common in Tompkins County as in other sections. As
rapidly as the land could be cleared and burned over it
was sown to wheat, planted to corn, or made into pastures.
"after having cut away the smaller trees and underbrush,
they trimmed some of the larger ones, girdled the pines,
and rolled them into heaps to burn." In this way it

is roughly estimated by men whose fathers settled in
Tompkins County, that fully sixty per cent. of the forest
growth was ruthlessly destroyed. In the thoughtless
haste to get tillable land, and to obtain what little
income they could from the forest, much rough, hilly

land was denuded of its forest cover, and thus there were
left, many steep, bare, unproductive hillsides that are
by nature fitted to grow little else than forests. This
condition of denuded hillsides is particularly evidenced
in the townships of Caroline, Danby and Newfield. The
other tionships are somewhat better fitted for agriculture,
and yet, it is an evident fact that there is considerable
rough waste land in any of the townships, from which the
forest growth ought never to have been cut. Such areas
are ordinarily of no great value for pastoral purposes

as they are overrun with bushes or badly cut up by the
elements of soil erosion and will never be fit for

So

cultivation.

a a re

1. History of Dryden.

Early Lumber Markets.

Before there were any facilities for shipping the
forest products to market, the local timber had but a
nominal value. The settler looked upon the forest as
a barrier to his progress rather than as a natural
resource of value. Soon after the completion of the
Erie Canal in 18228, there grew up a market for the pine,
which was shipped to Albany by canal boats. At that
time Albany was the chief lumber market in New York
State. The shipping of pine, and of oak for ship and
boat timbers caused to be built up a considerable lumber
trade at Ithaca. The very finest grades of pine brought
$6.00 per thousand feet delivered at the wharf at Ithaca ;
and $10.00 per thousand feet delivered at Albany. In
1835 the business of building canal boats at Ithaca was
in a prosperous condition. In the townships of Lansing
and Groton, oak, ash and beech timber was hauled overland
to Auburn during the winter months. __

It was not until after 1850 that other markets
and means of transportation were obtained. The fol-
lowing dates show when the various railroads were built
and new markets were made available to the forest pro-

ducts of Tompkins County.

pees Owego),

Cayuga and Susquehanna R.R. (Lackawanna ee wee ---a- 1834

Lehigh Valley R.R. (Ithaca to Geneva) ------------= 1870
* (Auburn Division ) ------------- 1874

Midland R.R. --------------- -----+--+-------------- 1872

Ithaca and Cortland R.R. (E.C. & N.) -9------------ 1871

Owing to the great abundance of timber, the meager
shipping and marketing facilities, and the desire for
cleared land, the forests were not valued as they should

have been.

The History of Local (log mm) Timber Prices.

Statistics show that the prices for all classes of
lumber are increasing rapidly. In this connection, it
is interesting to note the advance in local "log run"
timber prices for a series of decades (1843 - 1908) or
since shipping facilities and new markets influenced the
demand for forest products. The following Table I and
its accompanying Ghart I show the prices for "log run"
grade of timber for a series of years in Tompkins County.
They are the averages obtained from a number of sets of
figures taken from old books in possession of some of the
oldest lumbermen in Tompkins County and are of value in
that they are representative of local conditions.

These figures are interesting not only as they show
the gradual increase in the price of timber in a local
section, but they also show, to some extent at least, the
tendency to make use of lower grades of timber such as ;
chestnut, hard maple, elm, birch and beech, as the better

grades become scarce or are exhausted.

Local (logrun) Timber Prices for omer ies os UnT ys ncaa oe |
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/8¥0 /8S0 1960 /870 /8 80 /8 70 /900 190 flecades,
Leqena
W. Brae VW Oa ea Ww. Ash Chestmutl
Hemlogk,------ Hickstecmeo— Basswood —- ~~ Beek ===

pree

PART II.

Present Condition of the Farm Woodlots.

The present conditions of the farm woodlots in
Tompkins County are, perhaps, quite representative of the
conditions of the woodlots in many other counties in New
York State. They might well be described as irregular,
detached pieces of woodland, consisting of all sizes and
second, a ae growths. (See Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4.)
They occupy no definite position as regards soil or
altitude. Steep hillsides and ravines are denuded of
their forest covers, in certain sections, and in other
sections more or less thrifty woodlots occupy good
agricultural land. They have no definite relation to
the general lay=-out of the farms. Composed,as they are,
of dead, diseased, young, mature and weed trees all
thrown in together, the valuable left to struggle for
supremacy with the invaluable but hardy species, and in
addition, frequently required to withstand the ravages
of fire and stock, these remnants of the old virgin
forests are evidence of their natural strength in with-
standing the adverse natural and artificial conditions
that tend towards their elimination. a

Could the detrimental influences of mankind, fire,

and stock be removed from the woodlots, Nature, in a few

alt ae
Cs

a Su

on

12

generations, would make them as healthy and vigorous

as they were before artificial conditions were brought

to bear upon then. In default of this natural

revitalization, it remains for man, for the farmers who

own the woodlots, to remove or remedy these undesirable

and detrimental conditions and to intelligently put into

practice, practical methods of forestry that will tend

to improve present conditions. y
It is a deplorable yet self evident fact that no= ae

where in Tompkins County have the farmers or timber

owmers done anything toward making a study of the means

for improving their woodlots, or in putting into operation

any intelligent and practical methods of caring for them

as they exist today, although the average farmer or other

owner of woodland is well aware that the prices of all

kinds of forest products have pune tee rapidly within

eS ee es eee

are planting locust and catalpa trees in certain parts of

Tene county, as will be noted later, there still remains

'that element of selfish indifference regarding future

“disposition of the woodlots.

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13

Woodlot Acreage per Farm, Township and County.

The following Table II and its accompanying Chart II
show the number of farms, the average acreage of land per
farm, the average acreage of woodland per farm, and the
total acreage of woodland in the separate township and
in the whole county. These figures are taken from the

data secured by the Tompkins County Farm Survey recently

completed.
TABLE Il. No.
Acreage farms Acreage

No. AVZ. woodlot report- woodlots Total

farns farm per ing for acreage
Township reported Acreage farm timber these woodlot
Oaroline 173 147.71 25.57 4423
Danby 210 105.5 19.62 174 25.64 4122
Dryden 365 106.45 13.52 290 17. 4933
Enfield 194 103.7 10.9 156 13.5 2114
Groton 298 88.4 10.4 3099
Ithaca 135 103.32 11.48 103 15.05 1551
Newfield 114 111.55 13.54 95 16.25 1544
Ulysses 178 59.7 7.65 112 11.14 1361
Lansing 273 101.2 10.93 200 14.91 2983
Total No. 1940 26130

Avg. acreage
for county 103.06 13.75

With reference to the above table, it should be
understood that these averages are for the number of
farms reported. In certain townships there were
tracts of woodland, the owners and acreage of which
could not be ascertained at the time. It is quite
probable that the total woodlot acreage for the county
is somewhat greater than the above table shows, however,
the average size of the woodlots per farm, in each towne
ship and in the whole county is the important point, and
it will be from this figure (13.73 acres), that further
deductions will be dram with reference to the question
as to whether or not the woodlots of Tompkins Coumty
are increasing faster than they are being used up.

(See later Rate of Increase Growth of Woodlots of

Tompkins County. )

Present Methods of Care.

In making a study of the conditions of the farm
woodlots in Tompkins County, perhaps the most striking
factor is the sameness of the conditions in the several
townships, especially as regards their care. With but
few exceptions, the farm woodlots are valued only for
what they will produce in fire-wood, or as a source from
which a small bill of lumber or fence posts may be cut
when needed. If the woodlot provides present gratifi-~
cations in this respect, it is given no further thought.

14

16.

The fire-wood is ordinarily cut in a hap<hazard manner
with little thought given to the protection of the young
trees. In a majority of cases, no attempt is made to
select out the dead, crooked, and weed trees for fire-
wood in order that the thrifty, young trees of the more
valuable species may have a better chance to grow.
Indiscriminate cuttings or slashings are the rule. Large
trees are felled with no thought of the destruction they
may cause by breaking down the smaller trees ; the brush
is left to entangle the young seedling trees ; roads aro
cut at will, and slashings made without any idea of a
systematic plan. To cap the climax, and it would seem
in order to hasten the destruction, many of the woodlots

are fenced off and cattle allowed to browse at will.

Woodland Pasture.

Perhaps a third of all the woodlots in the county
are being pastured. The majority of the farmers admit
that the woodland pasture is of little value as pasture,
and their only axcuse for continuing the practice is
borne in the fact that they do not consider the woodlot
to be valuable enough to protect it from the damage
caused by cattle and sheep browsing upon the young trees
and punching up the soil of the forest floor. The stock

enjoy the shade during the heat of summer and besides,

a

16

a new fence would have to be built in order to keep the
stock out. Doubtless the practice of pasturing the
woodlots will be continued until the farmers awaken to
the fact that the value of the future woodlot will be
greatly lowered by continued pasturing, because there
can be no hope of regeneration in the woodlot so long as
stock are allowed to browse at will upon the young stuff.
‘The gerove-like appearance so generally seen in the wood-
lot is indicative of the effects of browsing stock.

(See Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8.)

Ignorance of Present Value of Woodlots.

Doubtless the true reason why the farmers in
Tompkins County do not take a greater interest in caring
for their woodlots is because they are ignorant of the
true market value of the standing timber. They have
no simple and reliable method of determining the value
of the stand of timber, nor in determining the yearly
increase in value due to increased growth. For this
reason many farmers sell their woodlots to more experienced
timbermen for a very small part of their true value. It
would seem that this matter of determining, not only the
value of the standing timber but also the probable annual
increase in value, would be very important in order to
awaken a greater interest in the care of the woodlots.

To illustrate this point more fully, the three

Sera APRS ay cies

Fc

Lt

following examples are given to show how careless and

ignorant farmers are of the value of their woodlots.

These examples are not exceptional in any way, in fact,

such bargains are of common occurrence in Tompkins County.
Example I.

A farm of 122 acres, 80 acres of which was woodland,
consisting of mixed hard and soft wood timber as : oak,
basswood, hemlock, maple, cherry, beech, ash, birch, elm,
etc. was sold.

Price paid for farm --------+«-----<---------- $1,750.08

Proceeds from lumber sales :

500,000 ft. mixed lumber at $20.00 per M. 10,000.8Q

500 ods. slab wood at 50 g ---~-- onnn- 250 .8Q
Resold farm with top wood -<«----=8<~-----= 700.00
TOTAL SALES -----..--~---- -- $10,950.00

Cost of marketing -----<----e ree ee ene ee 4,260.00
NET SALES ---. --- eemeeccene $ 6,700.00

Original cost of purchase --~-------- core 1,750.00

PROFIT -~---~~----~-------- $ 4,950.00

Example II.
A farm of 50 acres, 35 of which was of mixed hardwood.

Price paid for farm ---------~-------------- $ 600.00
Proceeds from lumber sales ;

110,000 ft. mixed lumber at $20.00 per M. 2,200.00
2,600 R.R. ties at 46 g --------------- 1,170.00
1,700 * "9 69 go aennnenne-nee-= = 1,173.00
2,200 fence posts at 6 ¢ --~~--------~- 132.00

150 cds. slab wood at 50 ¢ -------- -- 75.00

Resold lot with top wood and chestnut --- 344.00

TOTAT) SALES w-sesse2c2_2- $5,094.00
Cost of marketing ----------~~---------- * 1,500.00
NET SALES --------~------ $3,594.00
Dostoof Pam: cmaesntnamandendecmccnce ~~ 500.00
PROPIT ma-- 0 5--e- en -- $3,094.00

Example III.

A lot consisting of 16 acres of mixed hardwood’,
Cost of lot ------------------------------- $ 500.00

Proceeds from lumber sales ;:

98,000 ft. mixed hardwood ---~---~--~---+-- $1,960.00
300 R.R. ties at 58 ¢ ---------~------ 174.00
120 ods. slab wood ------ at 50 ¢ ---- 60.00

TOTAL SALES e=u...--------- $2,194.00

Cost of marketing -~--------------------= 900.00

NET SALES ---------------- $1,294.00
Cost of purchase ------------------------ 500.00
Profit ------------------ $ 794.00

There is no reason why the farmers should not market

their own wood and thus save the profit.

18

19

Cost of Putting Lumber on the Market.

Most of the timber cut in Tompkins County is sawed
up into stock lumber by portable sawmills. The lumber
then has to be hauled to market. The distance to market
varies greatly, but ordinarily it is from two to six miles.
The estimated cost of cutting the timber, sawing and
delivering to market is as follows ;:

Cutting (logs) per thousand feet --------- $ .75

Skidding to mill " 8 fo wee eee warm 2.00
Sawing - " 8 ane -- «-- 3,00
Sticking (piling lumber) " er 40
Delivering to market n WO een eeee - 2.00
Estimated overrun ° NO nee eeeee __ 258

Total expense per M. board feet -----~- $8.50

20.
PART III.

Future Possibilities as Regards the Problem of.

Waste Land. Reafforestation, Soil Influence, etc.

ae

The history of the early conditions and management
of the forests in Tompkins County is valuable only as it
records the mistakes that others have made in dealing with
this problem, and as a knowledge of the facts may prevent
similar mistakes being made in the future. History re=-
cords, in a general way, the several phases through which
the forests have passed in reaching their present critical
condition = the woodlot. The past cannot be remedied.
Out of necessity, then, we must take up the problem as
it is at the present time, and try to find some means
whereby we may check the customary wastefulness and in=
difference in dealing with these remaining woodlots, and
in some way contrive to create an interest in, and,
establish a practical system of caring for them with the
idea of correcting past mistakes, remedying present cone
ditions, and in making the future woodlot a more valuable
farm crop. |

Leaving aside a consideration of the excellent supply
of literature that deals with practical forestry, the
care of the woodlot from the standpoint of the farmer
seems to be of the greatest importance. The principles
that underlie intelligent forest management will apply

in Tompkins County as well as anywhere, but, with respect

al

to the problems of cheap waste land, soil influences,
altitude and kinds of timber trees to plant, there are
local factors that must be considered with reference to

Tompkins County alone.

Utilization of Waste Land.

There are many small areas of so-called waste land
in Tompkins County. These consist of swamps, gullies,
ravines, steep hillsides and stony areas. There is
scarcely a farm in Tompkins County but what has a certain
amount of waste land. Such land is, in most cases, best
fitted to grow trees. Formerly most of these waste areas
aid grow trees, but they were cut off and since then the
factors of fire, soil erosion, and stock have combined
against natural reafforestation. These waste land areas
might well be set out to quick growing trees, such as,
locust or chestnut, either of which will grow into
excellent post timber in from fifteen to twenty years.

A few men in Tompkins County are far sighted enough to
take advantage of these conditions and are planting
limited numbers of locust and catalpas for future fence

post timber.

ae

Examples of Locust and Catalpa Plantations.

In the township of Groton an area of 13 acres - the
largest plantation in the county — has been started. This
plantation is located on rough, bushy lend unfit for culti-~
vation. The soil is Volusia loam and the field has a
southern exposure. This plantation was started in the
spring of 1907. The first planting consisted of 12,000
black locusts (Robinia pseudocacia). They were planted
6 x 8 feet apart (about 925 per acre). In 1908, 1200
trees more were used to fill in where some had died, and
3800 additional trees were planted. At the present time
there are about 15,000 young trees, some of which have made
a growth of from 6 to 10 feet. These seedlings cost from
$4.00 to $7.50 per thousand delivered.at Groton and were
planted at a cost of about one cent per tree. By com-=
paring the probable growth of these with other locust
trees in the vicinity, it is believed that good post
timber can be cut in from 10 to 15 years.

Another smaller plantation in the township of Lansing
consists of 1000 catealpas (Catalpa speciosa) and 500 black
locusts. This plantation is on strong agricultural land
(Miami sand). “The trees are set 6 x 8 feet apart. At
present they stand from 4 to 10 feet high with a diameter
of from 1-1/2 to 2 inches at the base, three years from
planting. The catalpas grow faster than the locusts, but
their tips have heretofore winter-killed slightly. It has

253

not yet been proven that the catalpa will be generally hardy
in this county.

No other plantations are know of in the county. There
are a few groves of self-sown locusts in various parts of
the county, that are making a vigorous growth and are being
cared for in a crude way. Some of them furnish an excel=

lent supply of post material at 15 years' growth.

The Care of the Woodlot.

The farm woodlots of Tompkins County are in urgent
need of attention. The woodlot, unlike a forest tract,
is just as much a part of the farm as the orchard is, and
it should be replanted and cared for with just as much
interest. It may be some years yet before the average
farmer will become awakened to the need of protecting his
supply of firewood and timber. They must be shown that
it will be worth their while to care for the woodlots,
and it would seem to be the duty of the state to give
instruction and to provide necessary experimental plots
where examples in practical farm forestry could be ob=
served.

In view of the fact that the prices of lumber are
gradually advancing, the source of supply constantly
becoming less, the future timber crop must necessarily be
more valuable than the present. Hence the practice of

planting trees and caring for the young woodlots, with the

idea of providing a future supply, ought to receive greater

attention even if only from a monetary standpoint.

The Influence of Soll on the Kinds of Trees to Plant.

The determination of the kind of trees to plant on
a given soil, and exposure, or in a certain locality, is
&® problem that can best be solved by making a study of the
trees growing in that vicinity. From the observations
gathered in the study of the woodlots in Tompkins Oounty,
regarding this topic, there seems to be certain correla~
tions between the types of soil and certain species of
trees growing thereon. The slight changes in altitude
do not appear to affect the quality or quantity of tree
growth. This is due to the fact that there are no very
great extremes in the altitude, (381 to 2000 feet above
sea level).

In regard to the species of trees that grow better
on one soil than on another, perhaps the most striking
example is that of the chestnut (Castanea dentata).

In the townships of Lansing, Groton, Ulysses and part of
Enfield, there is scarcely any chestnut. The farmers

say this is not a "chestnut soil". The only mown
exception to the rule that chestnut does not grow in these
townships is that along the west side of Cayuga Lake, from
Ithaca to Taughannock Falls, there is a narrow strip of

chestnut timber.

The greater part of the soil types of these townships

24

25

consists of Volusia loam, Dunkirk stony clay, Dumkirk and
Miami stony loam. These soils were formed by glacial
action in a slightly different way and from different
materials, than the soils in the southern part of the

x county. The Volusia loam, Dunkirk and Miami soil types
contain more or less lime. Chestnut does not grow well
on limestone soil or soils rich in lime. It would seem
natural to conclude that it would not be wise to plant
chestnut on these soils.

On the other hand, chestnut is generally distributed
in the southern townships, Caroline, Dryden, Danby, Ithaca,
Newfield and part of Enfield. In these townships,
especially on the Volusia silt loam, chestnut grows
luxuriantly. The Volusia silt loam is formed largely
from the underlying shale rock.

While chestnut seems to be the tree most subject to
soil conditions, it is also to be observed that such types
of trees as the elms, hickories, basswood, ash, walnuts,
and hemlock grow better on the soils in the northern part
of the county than in the southern. The oaks, pines and
maples are generally distributed over the cowmty regardless
of soil conditions.

It would be natural to conclude from these observa-
tions that the soil has considerable influence on the
species of trees grown in a given locality, and that a
study of these conditions is necessary in order to decide
what kinds of trees to plant on a given soil in Tompkins
County.

26

Improving the Woodlots by Selective Cuttings.

Under natural conditions where the growth of trees is
thick and uncared for, thinning will be brought about through
a struggle for existence, in which the weaklings will be
killed out by the stronger and hardier trees. When
artificial thinning and selective cuttings are put into
practice by the farmer, a great deal of energy wasted in
the struggle for existence, may be done away with. In-
creased growth and earlier maturity would result. There
is just as much reason for thinning the woodlot as there
is for pruning the orchard.

In the process of thinning, which could be carried on
during the winter months, the inferior trees could be cut
out for firewood, or fencing material. This would leave
the more valuable timber trees in better condition, for
it would obviate much of the struggle for existence that
is so evident in any average woodlot.

The only knowledge required in thinning the woodlot
is a familiarity with the best and most rapid growing

the

timber trees. In this respect farmer should become

acquainted with the trees that grow best on his soil.

Sources of Damage to the Woodlot.

The principal sources of damage to the woodlots in
Tompkins County are : (a) indiscriminate cutting, whereby
a great deal of young stuff is destroyed and the rubbish

left to entangle the young growth. (b) Pasturing the
woodlots. The stock browse upon the young trees, break
down the saplings, punch up the soil of the forest floor,
causing injury to the roots of the trees, and, promote
soil erosion. (c) Fires carelessly started and as care-
lessly allowed to burmm. The seedlings and young saplings
are killed or injured, large trees are scarred and made
valueless for lumber, and regeneration is almost com=
pletely held in check. (d) Fungous diseases and insect
pests are both factors that injure the growth of the
woodlot to a greater extent than is realized.

All of these injurious conditions can largely be
obviated if a little attention is given to the care of the
woodlot. The remedy lies in the hands of the men who own
the woodlots.

27

28

PART IV.

History of Specific Woodlots.

The task of looking up and getting the complete history
of individual woodlots, in order to determine their increase
in growth and value, proved to be less easy than was antici-~
pated. The reason for this is that few men have given
much attention to the growth of any particular woodlot,
and too, in very few cases are there any woodlots that
have been let alone and allowed to grow unmolested for
any length of time. So long as the average woodlot
Purnishes enough firewood, fencing material, and an occa-
sional stick of timber as required, no further notice is
generally given it by the farmer.

A majority of the woodlots consist of all aged trees,
from saplings to rotten stubs. Only two examples that are
at all representative of what the woodlots in Tompkins
County can do, if allowed to grow, could be secured. In
these cases, the period of growth was ascertained, and then
the woodlots were cut off. The value of the timber was
ascertained and the yearly increase in value per acre was
thus calculated.

Example I.

In the township of Lansing, sixteen years ago a
certain 6 acre tract of pasture became covered with bushes
so that its value as pasture was impaired. The bush=lot

was then four years old. The soil was Dunkirk stony clay.

29

The young growth consisted of a mass of beech, elm, bass-
wood, maple, hickory, cherry, oak and many other species.
(See Fig. 9) The omer (Mr. W. Havens) decided to thin
out some of the young stuff and allow the romainder to
grow. This was done and the trees made a vigorous growth.
During the past winter part of this lot was cut over,
cleaned up and the product sold. Most of the wood was
cut into bolts and sold for barrel staves. The following
figures show the proceeds and the yearly increase in value

per acre, from 2~1/2 acres which at this writing have been

determined.
125 cds. 30 inch bolts at $3.00 ---~-------- $375.00
Pole wood (firewood) -------------.--.-~~---- 100.00

Total value of products(2-1/2 acres)---- $475.00
$475 + 2-1/2 = $190 Value per Acre
$190 + 20 (years growth) = $9.50 which is the value
of the increase growth per acre per year.

These figures do not include the cost of harvesting
the crop. The cost of harvesting the crop might be
estimated at $75.00. The prices are based on the value
of the timber on the ground, not delivered to market.

For representative conditions of this lot at the beginning
and at time of cutting, see Figs. 9 and 10.
Example II.

In the township of Danby, a lot consisting of 35 acres
composed of mixed hardwood was cut off and the net proceeds
from the timber sales amounted to $4938.00. Men, who knew
the history of this woodlot, claimed that 75 per cent. of

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30

the wood had grown in the past 22 years. That is, the
lot was cut over 22 years ago and the greater part removed.

75 per cent. of $4938 = $3703.50

$3703.50 + 35 (acres) = $ 105.80 increase in value
per acre.

$105.80 + 22 (years growth) = $4.80 which represents
the yearly increase in value per acre for the 22 year LEE
period, a

The second example of yearly increase in value per
acre is without doubt more representative of what the
average woodlot in Tompkins County is doing in the way of
added growth. In the first example the soil was fertile
and the trees were young and consisted of rapid growing
species. In the second example the soil was Volusia silt

loam and the woodlot was in ordinary condition.

Rate of Increase Growth of the Woodlots

in Tompkins County.

The question that arises here is : <At what rate are
the woodlots of Tompkins County increasing by added growth ?
Will the average woodlot provide enough wood to constantly
supply the needs of the average farm ? To our Imowledge,
no work of any value has been done in New York State to
determine the probable increase in the growth of our
farm woodlots. It would seem that such a determination

would be of value to the farmer. Other states have done

something along this line. The strength of the soil and

$l

the species of trees are factors to be considered in this
connection. The average woodlots of Tompkins County grow
on medium strong soll and they consist largely of mixed
second growth hardwoods. For this type of woodlot, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (Circular 138) estimate an
increase of 110 cu. ft. per acre per year. The Delaware
Experiment Station (Bulletin 82) estimates an increase of
76.8 cu. ft. per acre per year. The Connecticut Report of
"Survey of Litchfield County" estimates an increase of
48.6 cu. ft. per acre per year. The average of these
three figures is 78.4 cu. ft. and this factor will be used
here to estimate the probable increase in growth of the
average woodlot of Tompkins County.

By referring back to Table II, it will be seen that
the average size of the farm woodlot in the county is
13.73 acres. If we assume that the average yearly increase
per acre is 78.4 cu. ft., then the amount of wood available
for use on each farm reported, will be 1076.43 cu. ft. or
8.4 cords (128 cu. ft.) per year.

The average farmer in Tompkins County burns for fire-
wood alone from 6 to 10 cords (128 cu. ft.) per year, hence
it follows that the farmers are burning up each year about
as much wood as their woodlots are producing. The wood
used for fence posts, timbers, and that drawn to the
villages and towns to be sold, must then represent the

rate of destruction - the annual decrease.

Se
CONOLUSION.

The Attitude of Some People.

Replies to the following question evidence the atti-~
tude of a great many farmers toward the subject of wood-
lots. "In view of the fact that the price of lumber is
advancing rapidly, and that the woodlots are being
destroyed, what ought the farmers to do with the woodlots ?"

Some of the replies :

"We have no children, hence, we have no object in
keeping the woodlot for others."

"The need of getting out of debt compels many of us
to sell our timber."

"Someone else may own my farm ten years from now.
Why leave the wood for him to cut and sell 7?"

"Every man should plant trees on his waste land."

"There should be a law to compel or assist farmers to
plant trees."

"A man can cut off his woodlot, sell the wood, clean
and cultivate the land, and from the proceeds of his crops
buy coal. He will get along just as well and make more

from his land."

Some Common Forest Trees of Tompkins County.

Slow Growing Species ¢

White pine nas strobus )
Yellow " * rigida )

33

Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

White elm Ulmus americana )
Slippery elm " pubescens )
Black cherry (Prmus serotina)
Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)

White oak (Quercus alba)
Red " ( yubra)
Scarlet " ( * coccinia)
Chestnut" ( prinus)
Hickory (Hicoria orata)
Sweet birch pee lenta)
Yellow " . lutea )
Beech panne foerruginea )
(

Red " (* yrubrum)

Black ash (Fraxinus nigra)
White * " americana )
Cedar (Juniperus Virginiana)

Rapid Growing Species :

Butternut (Juglans cinerea)
Black walnut (— 4% nigre. )
Chestnut (Castanea dentata)

Cucumber-tree (Magnolia douminata)
Tulip-tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)

Sycamore (Platanus ocoidentatis)
Locust (Robinia pseudacacia)
Basswood (Tilia americana)
Poplar (Populus grandidentata)

Weed—-trees and shrubs not good for timber.

Witch hazel (Hamamelis Virginiana)
Thorn-apple (Crataegus punctata)
Red wild cherry (Prunus pennsylvanicus)

Choke cherry . Virginiana )
Sumac Rhus hirta)

Boxelder (Acer negundo)
Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana )
Ironwood (Ostrya Virginica)

Shad or Juneberry (Amelanchier Canadensis)

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