Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-11-22
Forestry.

Among the articles In the vermont
agricultural report, just published, is one
on forestry" by the secretary of the
board of agriculture, DR.. Hiram A. Cut
ting. This subject has been discussed at
various times in this paper, and we are
glad to see it brought officially before the
people of Vermont. The member from
Middlebury, Mr.. Battell, has given prac-
tical turn to the discussion of the press and
the secretary, by offering joint resolution
for the appointment of commission to in
quire into the subject in its relation to Yer
mont's interests and to report at the next
session of the legislature. We believe the
commission should be granted, and with
this end in view ask of our readers careful
perusal of Dr. Cuttings article and fair
consideration of the entire subject.
Forestry congresses have been held dur
ing the past season in Cincinnati and Mon
treal. Matters relating to forests in all
their bearings upon the welfare of the
people have been considered at these meet
ings. Means have been discussed for pre-
serving the forests of the country, and for
covering with forest growth those treeless
tracts whose unsightly and Improbable
areas extend over many thousands of square
miles, covered not many generations ago
with virgin forests. Especial attention is
directed in the agitation Of this subject to
the timber thieves, whose depredations on
government lands in the territories are de-
nuding with the reckless extravaganza of
plunderers the fairest woodland regions of
this country. In the 18th century this
country was thought To have forests suff-
for an indefinite period in the future. Now
none of the states, except perhaps Oregon,
have more than they ought permanently to
reserve. In evidence of the interest felt in
this subject in the west, it may be briefly
stated that the people of Kansas under the
forestry laws of that state have planted
$4,000 acres in trees, OF which 5000 acres
are in black walnut. The governor of
Michigan, initiating the example of Ne
braska and other states, set apart the 2Sth
day of April as time for tree planting in
that state. In Maine, it is said, the system
prevails of cutting only the large trees and
carefully protecting the remainder. Under
this plan the forests may be profitably
worked at periods varying from fifteen to
twenty-five years, and their permanence is
thus assured. Massachusetts, and New
Hampahira hava aacb ooma louo ralat;np
to the planting and preserving of forests.
In the former state valuable prizes have
been offered for planting trees of CONNER
cial value. A prize of $1,000 was offered
not many years ago for the best plantation
Of forest trees, payable ten years from time
Of planting. In California a forester has
been appointed and legal provision made to
render the discharge Of his duties effective.
In the Province of Quebec the forest laws
prohibit the cutting of trees less than one
foot in diameter. Such are some of the
measures taken for the preservation of the
forests on this continent.
individuals still young will remember the
magnificent pines which once covered large
portions of this state. The white pine of
Vermont has become extinct and the lands
covered by the departed race of forest
monarchs are for the most part impover-
ished pastures, Sc AIMED and quilted in many
places by the streams, against which no
sheltering woods longer afford protection.
The pine of New Hampshire went out with
that of Vermont, and Maine alone of the
New England states has any remaining.
The spruce Of Vermont is rapidly receding
before the lumbermans axe. The hum of
the saw and clapboard mill is heard in every
valley and in the ravines that lead up
among the green hills and mountain slopes.
For fuel the railways have stripped the
country along their lines and are seeking
inland for new supplies. Expectation and
domestic consumption are rapidly denuding
the state of its growth of commercial
woods. 1t is high time public sentiment
should be stirred up to the necessity Of some
measure TO prevent wanton destruction
and TO secure the adoption Of some
system for the preservation of the many
advantages the forests are calculated to
afford, TO keep them permanent source of
revenue to the state and TO provide for the
wants of future generations. The change
from indiscriminate slaughter which is 60
ing remorselessly on among the remote hills
and mountains TO careful and systematic
husbandry of the forests will be necessarily
slow. Immemorial usage and the unre-
stricted license which the average Ameri-
can citizen is apt TO confound with his lib
erty TO do with his own as suits his selfish
interest without regard to the welfare OF
the state at large or of posterity, will hinder
progress In department Of forestry. New
ertheless the effort to save the woodlands
should be made and perseveringly followed
up. The state can do little in the way of
direct legislation. Very rigid forestry laws,
If indeed any at all, would not be tolerated.
But much can be done by circulating the
literature of forestry, by encouraging the
planting of trees on worthless tracts OF land,
and by intoxicating a thorough system of
forest husbandry. By cutting out the old
and full grown trees, preserving the saplings
and protecting the woods from the sweep Of
fire, hundreds Of thousands OF acres of rough
and rock-ribbed land may be made to yield
a revenue equal to that of the cultivated
fields. The limits of a single article will
not admit Of reference to other features of
this subject more important and far-reaching
in their consequences than It's material as
poet. We believe a forestry association
would be successful agency in interesting