These profits are based on what is made when lumber is sold, but the chief use of a woodlot is to supply posts and lumber for farm purposes. If lumber and posts have to be purchased, they usually cost much more than is received for those that are sold. So that the profits will be much greater than those given above.

Suggestions on the care of woodlots. The first thing to consider in the management of a woodlot is to decide where one is wanted. There are some areas of land now in woodlots that are so rich and valuable that it may be best to cut the wood and use the land for pasture and later clear it. On other farms there is cleared land that is of little value and that had best be set to trees. On still other farms the woodlot is already in the right place. If it has been decided that a woodlot is desired in a certain place, this area should be devoted to woods. It should not be pastured. If it is needed for pasture it will pay better to devote half of it to pasture and half to woods. The pasture part will then be gradually cleared, leaving only enough trees for shade. Half the area devoted entirely to woods will probably grow as much wood as the entire area will if pastured. It is poor economy to try to grow trees and grass on the same land.

After the area to be devoted to woods has been determined, the woods should be looked on as a regular farm crop. The dead trees, the ill shaped trees, and the undesirable kinds should be cut. The open spaces should be planted with good kinds of trees. Nearly all of this work can be done in winter or at other times when little or no work would otherwise be done. The planting can be done very rapidly and at small cost.

White pine, chestnut, and black locust are the most desirable trees to plant. White pine will grow well in most of southern New York. Chestnut is particularly adapted to the poor soils. Black locust is good for posts. It is sometimes attacked by borers. It may not be quite so good for the poorer land as chestnut. The State encourages this planting by furnishing trees at cost. Directions for planting are sent with the trees. For these trees address the State Forester, Albany, N.Y.

When the woodlot is cut the young trees should be saved so far as possible, and those that are not of fair size should be left for future years.