The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1878-04-24

The matter Of forest iree enliuts and preser-
Walton is in rather an anomalous state in this
country (says the Scientific Ameriean1. At one
end of the national domain, people are planting
trees aud studying every means 10 tarn denuded
lands back into forests at the other, woods are
being lelled and small war Is in progress against
tho government on account OF its preventive
efforts In Massachusetts societies are organ
lzed to stimulate III preserving and renewing OF
forests ia Louisiana. Alabama. Florida aud
Montana. the authorities are denounced as inter
fering with the best Interests OF the people, be-
cause an endeavor IS made 10 stop the whole.
sale denuding Of public lands and sale Of the
timber for private benefit With the legal as
poets Of this question Of forest destruction IN the
South and West. it is not our province to deal,
but the considerations in ayor OF protecting
WOODLANDS are az Importance not merely TO every
asrieulturst but TO every ons. and they should
De fully realized BY all who believe bat the only
value OF forests hes in the amount the wood viii
fetch per cord.
II any one is disposed TO think that our for
ests are insxhausIibls at least for long period
10 come, no has only 10 cast his eve over the
woodland map in General Walkers valuable sta.
tisiieal atlas 10 perceive his deluSlon. de will
see tina; the number Of heavily wooded tracts
having 500 or more acres OF timber TO the square
nile is s,artlingly small The area OF all such
districts is equal only to about that Of the Al
lantc States, and the remainder of the country.
fully four6fths has 90 timber, the map showing
a uniform blank Now consider the enormous
amoant OF lumber used yearly in manufactures,
Nearly Sl44 900, 900 is invested in the sawniug
lumber industry alone, that is, the production OF
laths, shingles and boards. Add to this the
fact stated BY Professor Brewer. that wood
forms the tuel Of Two thirds OF the population.
and the partial fuel OF nine tenths of the remaining
third, and some general idea OF the enormous
drain constantly IN progress upon our forests
will be reached. This. however is only the di.
rect draught for purposes OF utility, Immense
areas OF woodland are yearly denuded by forest
fires. large tracts are purpoSely burned US
speedy way Of clearing, and thus the wooded
regions are rendered more and more sparse. If
forest fires were prevented as far Us is practi-
cable, il trees were constantly being planted. and
If the reckless deuudation of woodlands could DO
stopped by the laws already in existence, but APP
parently not enforced, there is little doubt bat
that We possess timber enough to supply indef-
nitely all our needs either uel or for manuiac-
turing purposes but save in Isolated instances
trees are not beug planted, We have no schools
Of forestry such as exist in Europe to encourage
sylviculture aud rs the recent proceedings IN
Congress have shown. part OF the population
claims the right for private ends to deuude the
woodlands now owned by the whole couutry. aud
defenders in the Legislature are not wanting TO
support them. --a
We haze already taken occasion TO point out
the dangers which result from tree destruction.
The exact relation OF forests aud rainfall is not
definitely settled but there are very numerous
cases on record where the destruction of forests
has resulted in the production of desert wastes.
and where trees have been replauted humidity
has returned 1t is laid down, however. By such
authorities as DR. J. Croumhie Brown, OF Scot
land and Others who have made especial studies
OF the subject, that within their own limits and
near their own borders forests maintain u more
uniform degree of humidity in the atmosphere
than is observed in cleared grounds. They tend
to promote the frequency OF showers and It they
DO not augment the amount OF precipitation they
probably eQualise its distribution through the
different seasons" In India says Mr. B, q.
Northrop, in late address before the Connecti-
cut State Board Of Agriculture, " three quarters
Of a million people have been starved to death
since tue forests have been cut off, causing the
springs to dry up"
II is needless to multiply warnings Of this
hlnl. IN tue tDlckty settleu COUNTRIES " E4aFOpe
each generation is bound by law TO leave the
forests in as good condition as il found them.
Forests are protected IRON fire, and they are re-
garied as public property. Until We adopt some
similar course, each succeeding generation will
transmit to posterity woodlands more aud more
depleted. The result is only question Of time.
The natives OF parts of South Africa tell of giant
trees and forests. fertile lands. and abundant
floods aud showers, all existing or occurring in a
region now little more than dry and arid desert
such will be the traditions of our own descend
ants. As the soil becomes unfit for agriculture.
migratous will follow, favored regions will rs-
ceive an overplus of population which caunot
obtain all its supplies from the soil, and depend
enee upon other nations for Heeessares of life,
the first step downward in country's decadence,
is taken. Exhaustion of resources must ulti-
mately succeed. aud with it the end Of national
existence.