MEETING OF SOUTHERN FORESTRY CONGRESS STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF FARM WOODLANDS TO THE SOUTH.

------They are of Especially Great Value  to North Carolina
------The forested area of sixteen Southern States makes up one-half of the forested area of the entire United 
         States and the annual value of its crops have been second only to that of the cotton crop.

         These surprising and interesting facts were presented at the meeting of the Southern Forestry Congress at Richmond, Va. during this month.  An additional very startling fact, and one of especial interest to the farmer, is that of the total forested area in the South one-half is represented by farmer's wood lands.

The farm wood lands of North Carolina alone aggregate more than 10,000,000 acres.  Their value to the State is tremendous.  Not only do they furnish direct revenue to the farmer, but they supply his great needs for fencing, poles, fuel, tool handles, etc.; and in ad­dition are a great protection to the farm by harboring insect destroy­ing birds, by conserving moisture, by providing wind breaks and by preventing soil erosion.  Also, their contribution to the attractive appearance of the farm is a factor of real and oftentimes- very great value.

The concern of the farmers of North Carolina as to their wood lands should be for keeping them continuously productive. Mr. W.R. Nattoon of the United States Forest Service has stated Valuable and useful trees on the farm are a sort of savings bank account, which, if rightly handled, may be drawn upon each year without reducing the

principal.  Since timber and wood are required for the successful

operation of a farm, and since most farms have more or less ricky, steep, wet, or poor soil that is best adapted to tree growth, the handling of wood land is legitimately a part of farm work.

Proper handling of wood lands will pay the farmer well, both in comfort and in cash.  It will mean a supply at all times of conveniently located timber, fuel, fencing for home use, and at intervals valuable material for market.  If neglected or abused wood lands are bound to deteriorate or eventually disappear; and in North Carolina this would mean a loss of a potential source of revenue of at least twenty-five million dollars yearly.