New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-09-21
The PROTECTION OF FORESTS.


cor tributes paper to the October number
of The North american Reulep, and the vide
comment which it has already accustomed Is
proof of the eagerness with which any broad
treatment OF forest problems is waited for and
welcomed The article begins with brief
but comprehensive sketch of the forest
geography of this continent, demonstrating
FROM the boundaries and unequal quality OF our
original timber growth that its density varies
directly with the amount of rainfall. OF i'm
mediate practical interest just hcie is the de-
scIiption of what may be termed the 4 crest
Frontier This is belt of land skiriing the
central plains which are treeless because OF
scanty rainfall. In many places this border
land is already wooded, the forest having
remained, perhaps, from period when
moisture was more plentiful. If it is now
striped, however, the task of recothing it
would be almost hopeless. AT other points
this frontier now bears only few scattered
trees, while, with little help from man,
forests of considerable Importance might be
produced. 1t can be plainly seen that this
border. where conditions of wet and dry are
SO evenly balanced, demands special and
specially intelligent treatment. The present
area ana condition of our forests are next
discussed. The havoc made by fire and trows-
ing animals as well the wasteful work OF
the logger is strikingy portrayed without
going INTO such details as have been MADE
known by the bulletins from the Census Office
The annual yield OF marketable lumber
amounting now to four hundred and hfty
million dollars worth of new material, differs
from crops of corn or cotton and other pro-
ducts of the soil in that years are consumed
before q forest crop natures. 1T cannot be
suddenly increased to meet an unusual demand,
and. therefore, it is so far beyond the operation
of ordinary commercial forces as to be a
legitimate subject for legislation by govern
meDts, State and National
This would be true if our forests had no
value beyond their power TO furnish fuel and
timber but the argument has double lorce
when their higher functions are considered
Forests do not increase the aggregate RAIN
fall, but they are important factors IN regl-
lating its distribution. in mitigating drouth,
in preventing destructive floods, in securing an
eauable flow of rivers, in guarding the soil
against degradation. State laws should be
enacted, as has been done in some instances
with beneficial results, to protect forest property
against rayages of fire and the destructive
teeth and hoofs of domestic animals. VI
capital importance is the suggestion that
loggers be compelled to gather and burn IN
the winter the tree tops and score blocks which
ore Usually left to become finder OH the ground
for .ungovernable fires to fash through, as they
did in the memorable calamity Ill Michigan.
The action of the Federal Govern ment should
have wider.sc0pe. 1t might be profitable
business transaction to Withdraw certain por-
tons of timber land i'll the National domain
from immediate sale, even III places where
the climatic conditions would insure speedy
growth OF fresh forests, after the original
trees are cut away, and the railroads WIN
large land grants might pursue the same policy
But the most urgent demand for Government
aid comes from the interior region, where the
woods once destroyed will never be restored.
The agriculture of an immense territory
depends upon the rivers which mead IN these
interior forests But for these same forests
mountain torrents wOlld bring ruin upon the
great valley of California. Here then ID
mainly the field where the General Govern
ment and the great land-holding corporations
should unite 10 preserve an uninterrupted
forest over large area.
This outline indicates the scope OF the arti Gle,
but it gives no adequate idea OF its wealth OF
SUGGESTION Its moderation, conservatism and
avoidance of over-statement are noteworthy
when contrasted with the wild assertions OF
professional foresters," who are agitating
these questions because they scent an appro-
priation. We cannot help feeling. however,
that Professor .Sargents hopeful tone Is hardly