The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-08-05
The AdirOndacks to be Converted into
State Park.
f. w. P.

In compliance with an act OF the last
Legislature of New York, State Park
Commission was appointed to report on
the advisability Of occupying certain
lands in the counties of Clinton, Essex.
Franklin, Herkimer, St. Lawrence and
Lewis as great public State Park. The
names of the gentlemen are Horatio Sey
mour, Patrick II. Aguan, William b.
Taylor, George Raynor, William A.
Wheeler, vorplanok Oolvin and Frank
lin B. Hough. The Commission made
favorable report. The Park will be al
most entirely in the Adirondacks, and
include about S34, 200 acres, which will
make it one of the largest parks in the
world. 1t is now much frequented by
tourists. Among the reasons given for
preserving this large section in its present
condition are the following;
The Commission are Of opinion that
the timber should be preserved They
''do not favor the creation Of an expen-
sive and exclusive park for mere purpos.
es of recreation, but condemning such
suggestions, recommend tho simple pres.
ervation of the timber as measure of
political economy The conclusion thu t
the permanent preservation Of large
portion of this forest is necessary, is
based upon numerous considerations inti-
mately connected with the great business
interest Of the State" The condition of
the land is described, and the numerous
lakes and abundant game are referred to,
all of which "gives to the magnificent
scenery strange, wild and romantic ele.
ment, which has contributed to make its
more accessible portions choice summer
pleasure ground for those of our people
who travel, and who admire the natural
splendors Of their native land"
There is considerable mineral wealth
in this region, but it is mainly confined
to iron ores, and generally is found in the
settled, cleared. and accessible portion Of
the country. Formerly all Of the iron
was made with the aid of wood charcoal
The result was that large sections in
Essex County were entirely stripped oI
forest in order to supply the requisite
charcoal. The mountains are to day al
most treeless, showing desolate fanks o
naked rock 4; and some of the stream,
which once were trout brooks are no 4
torrent beds, through which the water o
each storm on the smooth sides of til,
mountain rushes swiftly off to leave then
almost dry, instead Of slowly percolatins
, through sponge OF moss and tree roots
as slow running, cold and constan
spring"
The State of New York is a remarkable
watershed. Northwardly its waters dc
scend the St. Lawrence, at the south the
descend the Hudson, and Southwestern,
f they pass through the Allegheny, Obi
and Mississippi rivers to the Gulf O
} Mexico. Nearly every stream in thi
, State starts from some lake or pond, frou
which, if in a forest region, it pours a
uniailing stream and it is to this system
I Of lakes or natural reservoirs, bosomed i
the cool, primeval forest, that our Stat
is indebted for that water supply whic
y has created our canals and that stead
water power which is the wealth of S
-. many manufactures. 1t is also said
y I'VE believe that the Sreat Aairondac
!. forest has a powerful influence upon III
cllmateology of the State upon the rail-
G fall, winds aud temperature, moderatin
!. storms aud equalizing throughout IL
,f year the amount Of moisture carried b
o the atmosphere controlling, and in
2 measure snhduing the nowerfnl northarl
!. winds, modifying their GOODNESS and equa
r. izing the temperature Of the whole State
ID The destruction Of the Adirondac
forest would have calamitous effect u
Of on the Hudson river. The deep wint
a SHOWS accumulating upon the bare u
of lands would contain an immense body
a. water. Spring would suddenly relea
a. this water, when it might rush at on