Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-03-15

Such is the language Of this emf
nent scholar and writer, whose large
experience as minister to foreign
courts and whose extensive travel,
keen observation and logical deduc-
ton entitle his opinion to the high
est respect.
Many have never paused to con-
slider that the great want of our
country is greater area of wood
land. Situated as we are, remote
from any large bodies of water, in
the middle Of the continent .and at
a considerable elevation; with
stretch OF open land of such vast ex-
tent, with comparatively nothing to
break the force of the winds, from
far east of the Mississippi to the
summit at least Of the Rocky Noun
tains, east and west, and from the
Gulf of Mexico to the frozen ocean,
north and south, it is evident that
we need something to moderate the
excuses of the climate.
1t is a we'll established fact which,
in this day Of meteorological invcs-
tigation, no one disputes, that the
air is more uniformly charged with
moisture, and rainfall is much more
regular and abundant in any coun-
try where forests abound than after
those forests are cleared away, and
there is probably little doubt in the
minds of mctcorologists and men Of
practical observation, that it was
mainly owing to the absence of for
csts throughout the country gener-
ally, and especially in the West,
that the excessive drought which
prevailed to such an extent last
summer and fall occurred; convert
ing everything combustible into
finder, requiring nothinx.e but the
application of the match to send the
fire ficnd carecring like pandemo-
mum over the country, sweeping
grove and hamlet as well as por-
tons of great and populous cities
into oblivion, leaving nothing in its
path but blackened ruins and the
wall of distress. But many of
the practical questions with indi-
viduals, with communities or with
governments, are not of easy solu-
ton. Individual efforts are, and
must be from the nature of things,
on too small a scale to be of any
present general advantage SO far as
meteorological considerations are
concerned, and until the action of
whole communities can be felt, we
cannot expect any marked climatic
benefits to arise; nor can it be ex-
pected that whole communities will
take any concurrent action, or be
prompted by any motive other than
their present individual interests
Concert of action cannot be expect
ed unless some moving lever can be
applied which will require nothing
less than the power of the govern
mcnt to handle. Nor can it be ex-
pected at this late date that the
government alone can accomplish
much; for since the disposal of so
large portion Of the public lands
it has lost the prestige which it
once possessed and might have
welded with powerful effect. But
our government, like others, is slow
to learn, and only awakcns from it's
apathy when it is too late to remedy
the evils which afiiict it, and which
are the direct results Of its own
oversight and improvidence.
Something however might yet be
done in those parts where the pub
lie domain is yet in it's possession
by incorporating into the homestead
law a condition that the title to the
homestead should depend upon the
plantingand pcrpetuating of a GER
tain amount of forest, and also by
making a similar condition in all
land grants, for whatever purpose.
But beyond the limits referred to,
the general government would
probably be powerless, except in
Indirect way, by encouraging indi-
viduals, or corporations, or more
likely, States. There is so little re-
spect paid to government interest
in this country, that any effort it
might make directly, to protect the
standing forests, would be abortive.
1t found itself unable to protect the
live Oak woods in Florida which
were reserved for the use Of the
navy, and eases not unfrequently
came to light, in which it paid a
high price for timber stolen from
its own reservation.
State governments may do some
thing tangible, by exemptions from
taxation, or by premiums, or other
wise as circumstances may suggest.
Some States have already taken the
first step, our own among the num-
Der. Kansas is perhaps taking the
lead in this enterprise, and has done
something worthy the name of a
noble and rising common wealth.
And it is to be hoped that when
our people come to be fully aroused
to the Importance Of the subject,
something will be accomplished
that will be of permanent benefit to
all.
But as all cannot be forest, it will
be natural to inquire what proper
ton of the general area should be
occupied by growing timber in or.
der to best promote the agricultural
interest Of the people? The answer
is, that this depends much upon cir
cumstanccs. The varying positions
of the different parts Of the country
in regard to the proximity of large
bodies of water, the direction OF
the prevailing winds during the
period Of vegetable growth, the alti.
tude of the locality, and many other
causes will operate to produce eli
matte differences, and will ultimate.
ly suggest the proper course.
A hint may be taken from some very
striking comparison; every person
of the slightest information knows
that the green and fertile shores OF
Ireland, are in the same latitude OF
of the ice bound coast Of Labrador;
lust across, OIL opposite sides, both