The Republican journal., 1873-07-17
The Preservation Of Timber Lands.

The alarming decrease in the timber
lands of the agricultural districts of this
country is subject to which metereolo-
gists have frequently called attention, and
one which cannot be considered by any
one without anxiety. The climatic effect
OF the presence of tracts of forest lands
has been most keenly appreciated in those
sections where, upon the removal of the
timber, the agriculturist has been exposed
to the widest varying extremes of temper
AZURE, and the dangers of excessive
drought. In countries from which the
timber has been cut, it has been found
that the lands become dry and sterile,
and in others, Egypt for example, where
the absence of timber lands worked such
serious evil as to require governmental
direction, the culture of forest trees has
been accompanied by the most salutary
results. Forests serve to absorb, and re-
tain and gradually diffuse the moisture of
the atmosphere, to such an extent as to
render almost absolute protection against
severe drought on the one hand, and on
the other serious inundation. Recognize
ing this important element of our agricul-
tural resources the New York Legislature
passed an act at Its last session, in parsu-
ance of which estate Park Commits
sion'' OF seven was appointed to inquire
into the expediency of setting apart large
tracts of wild lands in the northern part
of the State, among the Adrondacks,
as a public domain, to remain free from
the axe Of the woodman. The purpose
OF the establishment OF this State Park is
not mere recreation, but to benefit the
agricultural districts by retaining these
forests lands, and to protect the Hudson
from the severe droughts and floods which
would ensue from an exposure of its
sources. Ex-Gov. Seymour is at the head
OF this commission, position for which
his earnest labors in behalf of agriculture
eminently fit him. 1t is proposed to take
in by this park nearly million acres, and
thus create magnificent natural park.
but at the same time, says Gov. Seymour
and his committee, "above all other con-
siderations is that of the protection of
great portion Of the Adirondack forests
from Wanton destruction, as measure of
wise precaution and political economy, is
absolutely and Immediately required"
This question of the preservation of
timber lands as an agricultural necessity
is one which presents itself to every farm
er, With the substitution of other ma
terials for fuel and building purposes the
agricultural community has become more
and more Indifferent to the waste of tim
Der lands and the destruction of forests.
Even here in Maine, where it was once
thought that no amount of waste could |
ever cause want of wood and timber to |
be felt, the region along the coast and |
large rivers has been almost entirely de- |
nuded, while the heavy forests in the |
upper portions of the state are disappear
ing with fearful rapidly
This is matter which should receive |
serious attention and the benefit of dis |
cussion. Our farmers should be awakened |
20 sense of its Importance before it be- |
comes too late to take effective preventa.
i've measures, and the general sentiment |
Of the agricultural community will do
more to ACCOMPLISH the desired rasult r hao
legislative restrictions,