The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-04-19
AMsba DIR.
Some Facts About the Forests of the World

The forests Of Europe are estimated as
being 100000 acres in extent, or abou,
twenty per cent. of the whole area of the
Continent. In North America it is reckoned
that 1,460,0OO,OOO acres are covered with
trees, of which area 900,000,000 are in
British North America. lu South America
forests occupy 700,0OO,0 900 acres. The to-
tai amount for the two continents of the New
World and Europe gives 100000 geo.
graphical miles. The proportion of forest
land to the whole area of Europe, as above
stated, is computed at twenty per cent. in
America, twenty-one per cent. Supposlng.
therefore, twenty per cent. to be the proper
ton in Asia, Africa, and Australia, the grand
total of the forests of the world cover space
of 7,734,O geographical miles. The areas
of State forests and woodlands are estimated
at the following figures in the following Eu-
ropean countries Prussia, 200, 900 acres
Bavaria, 1924 600 acres; France, 200,
900; Austria, 100000; Hanover, 9OO,-
600; Wurtemburg, 469 OS7; Saxony, $685.
600; England, 1896 The range in
height of trees varies from the miniature
alpine willow of few inches in height to the
stupendous Well ngtonia, which grows to a
height of $50 feet, although indeed it is
stated that one of the eucalypti often reaches
height of 42O feet in Victoria. In Scla-
yonia tree called the sapin attaius height,
Of 2Y5 feet, and the umbrella pines of Italy
200 feet The California big tree is said to
girth ninety-six feet The destruction of
woods and forests, however, is very enormous,
and in the majority of instances no attempts
are being made for their reproduction. In
South Africa, we are. told, millions of acres
are destroyed and made waste annually. In
New Zealand the thirty per cent. of forest
existing in 1880 had sunk to twenty-eight in
1868, and to eighteen in 1878; which rate of
diminution, if continued, would result in the
total destruction of the New Zealand forests
by 1882
in America-in the United States espe
cially-the consumption of timber is enor-
nous; and although public attention has
been called to the matter, and the United
States statute of March, 1875, imposes a
fine of $500 or years imprisonment for
wanton injury or destruction of trees, and
also fine of 5000 or six months imprison-
ment for allowing cattle to injure trees on
National Grounds" the yearly consumption
and improvident use of timber is incredible.
Although, says the Scientific American, there
are no available statistics to chow the exact
rate Of speed with which they are using up
the wood supply, it is easy to see that it is
being done with great rapidity. Taking the
legitimate use of timber alone, industries
based on its manufacture constitute the Sc.
cond in point Of magnitude in America, and
are only exceeded by the iron interest. About
10000 persons are stated to be employed
in producing saved lumber alone; $143, $780,.
900 are invested therein "and 1926 600
laths. S.165, 600, 600 shingles, and 1885,
900, 900 feet of timber are yearly manufac-
tured." On the secondary industries based
on the use of lumber as rev material, car
peDtry, cabinet making, ship-building, etc.,
millions of people are employed. According
to Professor Brewers assertion, wood forms
the fuel of two thirds the population, and the
partial fuel of nine.tenths of the remaining
third; add this to the former estimate, and
some general idea will be obtained of the
enormous drain upon American forests that
is constantly in progress. AS a fact, it is
veil known that in 1872 as many as IL, 900
acres of forest we're stripped of their timber
to supply Chicago with fuel, and yet no at
tempt made to reproduce. Land and Water.
REMEMBER "NoT. The following verses,
it is said, are issued on leaflets for distribu.
ton to drivers and others having the care of
horses, and on cords for hanging up in sta
bles, by the English Society for the Proven
ton of Cruelty to Animals:
Going up hill, whip me npti
Coming down hill, hurry NE not
On level grouna, spare me not
Loose IN stable, forget me not.
OF hay and corn, rob me not
OF clean water, stint me not;
With sponge and water neglect me not
Of soft, dry bed, deprive me not
Tired or hot wash me not
If sick or old, chill me not;
With bit or reins Jerk rae mott
Ana whsn you are angry, strike me not.
Don't HITCH HORSES TO TREEs.-Why
not? Because almost every horse will surely
commence g'la@ing, gnawing the bark pntil
The body of the tree ia thoroughly girdled.
Most horses appear to be endowed with
passion for gnaWing large trees and nippipg
,he tops of small ones, Whenever they are
lriven so near that they can stretch out the
hose, and Snatcha mouthfsl Of thrifty branch
IS. 1t is an inexcuaable practice to hitch
lorses to ornamental treea. OF even to large