The Indiana State sentinel., 1879-05-07

francs hectare. In the last century the
forests OF Sweden were owned by private
proprietors and suffered . wasteful destruc-
tion OF trees which the State laws are now
remedying under the direction of royal
DEGREES and royaleofficers.
The forest service of Portugal Is both ad-
ministrative and technical. The pine for 4
ests LeIria, the RESIN mandatory and the
forests OF Bussaco, are under special direc-
ton.
In Spain the forests receive special atten-
ton, the conditions of climate and the pros
perity of the people being SO dependent.
upon.
FOREST VEGETATION
that the royal Government has taken charge,
in order to prevent the denudation of the
mountains and the depopulation of the
country. The forest administration in Prus-
sia forms, as in France, a division of the
financial department. with a general diree-
tor and council of headmasters and corps
of inspectors There are also forestry bri-
gades and guards, under rigid discipline.
In Russia, the Government has taken steps
to protect its vast forests, and has established
schools of forestry, where technical educa
ton Is prominent feature and instruction
is given in the manufacture of the products
of forest trees
In regard to the steppes of South Russia,
which resemble our Western prairies, the
report says: In this region of the steppes-
vast plains very like the prairie land of the
made to force the growth of trees. The
Government, recognizing the great advan-
tages which must result for the country from
the transformation of waste and barren
plains into productive forests, has encour-
aged these undertakings, and directs these
endeavors by the aid of practical schools of
| forest culture.
| In its conclusions as affecting the United
States, in which there are $50, 900, 600 acres of
wood lands, the report says: The people of
| the United States have. up to a compare
lively recent period, been famous destroyers
of the forest. 1t is significant fact that the
| Americans ak takes precedence in the mar
kets of the world, and that tbe American
chopper is the most expert a4man- Thou
sands and thousands of acres OF noble forest
trees have been destroyed merely to rid the
earth of them. The Western pioneer passed
his life in the toilsome labor of chopping
and burning trees which his descendants
would gladly replace if they could do SO. OF
later years
| A GROWING PUBLIC SENTIMENT
has sprung up in favor of the preservation
] of trees, both for ornament and use. The
| evils of forest destruction are now admitted,
though our practice is not always
in conformity with our theory. The
practical question is, what can we do to
preserve and restore our forests-to re-
pair the waste of the past and provide
for the future? Governmental interference
Is resource to be used sparingly. for the
reason that it is not, rule, efficacious.
There has existed for many years statute
against cutting timber on Government lands,
and it is safe to say that few statutes have
been more persistently violated. In newly
settled sections few people see any wrong In
cutting Government timber, especially when
used in the development of the country.
The timber cutters act has been more effect
I've than represslve legislation. In this the
Government holds out substantial induce
re for fEc ar11t
the patron and encourager of forestry-and
thus fosters popular sentiment in favor oil
tree growing. If a rigid compliance with
the law as it now stands is exacted, the re
suits would doubtless be more satisfactory
than a host of minute regulations such as are
suited to the genius of European countries
Voluntary effort. it is safe to say, has done
more good than legislation either repressive
or protective. The device of an annual
"Arbor Day" originating, | believe. in the
State of ofNebraska, has filled many Western
cities and towns with beautiful shade tree:
at no cost to the Government. Federal
State or municipal "Arbor Day" has been
added to our scanty list of public holidays
E, young and old join in the cheerful iabors oi
the day, and school and religious societies
are conspicuous in Its observance. In one
day in Topeka, the capital of Kansas, more
was done in beautifylng the grounds belong
ing to the State by the free and voluntary
labors of the citizens than had been done IL
years uuuer tue authority Oh the LeglSla ture
and at an expense of several thousand
dollars of the public money. This incident
is mentioned as illustrating.
THE REAL AND TRUE METHOD
of carrying out measures beneficial to tn,
mass of the people. With us the people art
everything, the Government very little.
A fair field is open in this country for the
labors of the forester. 1t is safe to say tina
for many years no effort may need be made
to initiate the European experiment in re
foresting the sides of barren and almost In
accessible mountains. The fields of labo
will be the great and fertile prairies CT tn
; West, where the work will be comparativel,
light, rapid and inexpensive. The fact tha
B trees will grow on the prairies, west as wei
0 as east of the Mississippi, Is settled ques
ton. No well informed person disputes il
1t is no longer a matter of experiment. l
only remains to push forward the good worl
3 by the means l have suggested, by the cor
| tinuance and careful enforcement of th
p timber. culture act and the fostering of
] public sentiment in favor OF tree-growine
by the observance of "Arbor Day" and tn
: dissemination of information on the subjec
: by the department of agriculture and tn
r public press At all fairs and exhibitions G
natural products the development of forestr
2 should be made much more conspicuou
{ than heretofore.