New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-01-14
PoRBSTRY.

among Tue pFhcLlcal Sciences OF Europe
forestry is rapidly assuming prominence,
but on this continent our virgin forests
have been so vast that their destruction,
rather than their growth, has been the
great object aimed at. The consequence
Of the wastefnl and exhaustive system
pursued is already beginning to be felt
Over large portion Of our national do
main forest timber is becoming scarce,
and with our immense consumption for
railways, fences, fuel and manufacturing
purposes, our existing supply, unless care
fully husbanded, will not last till the close
of the present century. This is matter
of serious moment, and we are glad
to know that it is attracting such
attention as will probably develop the
proper remedy. Indeed, attempts are
already made in some quarters to repro
duce our wasted forests and encourage
the growth of trees on our vast prairies;
but efforts in that direction are insignif-
cant, compared with the waste which still
obtains in other quarters, and the great
demand for lumber which must exist in
the near future. An intelligent and pop
ular comprehension of the questions in
volved should result in such national and
State legislation as would not only en-
courage the planting of forest trees, but
check the waste of timber now unfortu-
nately SO prevalent.
Scientific forestry, however, looks be-
yond the mere matters of class, character,
growth, waste and supply; it embraces
forecasting considerations of the effects of
forests on climate, rainfall, and the pro-
lection of coast lines. In many portions
of Europe the destruction Of forests CEN
turtles ago gradually converted fruitful
lands into deserts, and made moving
dunes conspicuous features of what once
were verdant landscapes. There is al
ways, in such cases, contest between the
winds, which pile up the sand hills, and
/ the powers of an adventurous vegetation,
which strive through the frail cordage Of
root and vine, to arrest their march. That
many of the existing dunes have usurped
, the place of ancient forests is proved by
the fact that in Gascony, where dunes
are usually abundant, the trunks of oak
and pine trees are frequently discovered
buried in the sand.
J Reclus, in his interesting work on the
ocean, ETC., says that unhappily
All the fine forests which once protected
) the low lands of the sea coast of GascOny
against the invasion of the sands were sue
cessiVely destroyed during the evil days Of
? the middle agee, either by barbarian in
, vaders, by imprOvident lords, or by the
: peasants themselves. Even in the last cen
. fury the King of Prussia, Frederick William
+ 1 being in great want of money, caused
the forest of pines to be ont down which
extended without interruption over the
? dunes of the Frische Nehrung from DantziC
i TO Pillau. The operation brought him
100000 crowns, but the moving sands in
8 vaded the great inland bay, DESTROYED the
' fisheries, obstrucsed the nav1gable channel
buried the defending fortresses, and modi
fed in the most vexatiOus manner the
3 photographic economy of all those parts
In Holland and in Brittany this dismantlinf
of the coast has produced still more fata
! results.
Disasters such as these-the result O.
imprudence-can only be arrested by tn,
: careful and scientific culture of sucl
: trees as can maintain their existence il
, sandy districts Bremontier, in 1887
4 commenced the culture of pines ant
hardy oaks on the dunes Of Gascony, ant
in consequence thereof, the moving SAND
hills which previously threatened to bur
, large regions Of country, are now q sourc,
: of wealth. The present estimated value o
the forests Of the Landes dunes is twenty
five millions Of francs, and the annua
increase is set down at hundreds Of thou
sands. Thus science and enterprise com
bine to repair the disorders Of impru
J dence.
Whether the rainfall Of country i
affected by the extent Of its forests, il
still disputed question, though III
prevalent opinion is, that in forest coun
tries the rainfall is greater than on tree
less plains; be this as it may, it is certain
that forests retain moisture longer thai
I tre3less lands, and thus materially aiiee
: the climatic conditions which iayo
vegetable growth. They moreover pre-
z vent, BY such retention, The diaastrou
/ inundations which the people Of France
!, and other countries, inprudently d.
nuded Of their forests, 50 frequently ID
4 ment.
= The tendency throughout Europe, Q
present, is to correct the eccentaic in
7 providence Of the woodman, and 50 er
courage the growth Of forests as 70 restoE
the conditions most favorable to sacurit
!, and prosperity. Such also should be NJ
]. only tbe tendency but the desarminatio
IA this country. The warnings Of shs pas
should teach oaE people prudence. u
10 growing tree IL ON land be wantonl
destroyed. ana let rs make up for q
destruction psspelnted during the fl
& canlafy ofcHs nalioual existence ~ plan
!. II ne forests which vhaisial ~eodmsn IS.
- ioa e ans1s