New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-09
PRESERVING ADIRONDACK WOODLANDS
TIE HAVOC THAT HAS BEEN WROUGHT BY PRIVATE
OWNERS.

To the EdftOr OF me tribune.
SIR: In common with many others famil-
lar with the Adirondack woods, have been much graf
flied with your efforts and editorials in behalf of the
wilderness As the bill oFidGng the sale by the State OF
the portions Of the woods st owned by It has become
law there IS reason TO hope that eventually the property
already sold by the State within the limits of the wilder
ness may be taken again by thesae and the whole tract
retained either in its present natural condition or i'm
pro, ed ms grand park FOR our people and neighbors
but Is very necessary that any for the
CRY OF the portions sold should be taken at While
eucompcd upon Little Upper Lake early last fall met
marty Of surveyors who running line through tho
woods on both sides of the lake. which would extend
across nearly middle OF that beautiful sheet Of WATER
by which they were bounding township or district
owned by private party or parties Whether the
purpose of the to prevent camping and hunt
ing upon that section without their permission granted
eatntousy or for money ct the timber the survey
ors did not know would not tell but those by
enforcing their rights would not only prevent hunting
and camping upon their own land, but would make 10
impossible in certain OF the to hunt upon
the ncghborng tracts for the reason that game espe
ciaIy II hoy pursued. would not matter OF
limit Itself to the territory Ownei by the state, and
sportsmen would without knowing IT, tIespass the
private ground. There many other pieces OF woods
owned in the way, on which the owners may cut
the timber and restrict hunting and camping and OF
course entirely fence in II they see fit 50 to do.
The effect R apparent. The Racquette River, which
was formerly OF the most beautiful streams In the
woods or indeed in the world is now, in nearly every
season OF the year Scene OF desoauon and sadness Tho
banks instead Of beng covered with verdure and
crowned by lofty trees are only mud banks,
mounted by stubs and stumps; and where the river
emptes into Topper Lake there upon of
land covered bya few inches OF wateI through which
the bare naked and decaying stubs and stumps
upon all sdes Immediately in front Of the Upper Lake
ouse al the head OF that lake. seven eight miles from
The place where the Racquettc River flows through,
there is q spot of bare and desoate
tho formerly beautiful meadows at the mouth OF tho
river. . 49,, -, -, M, o., ,
Mr. Verplanok Colyin states that the
Woods are the AdirOndacks AS OF old" and that
little distance back from the lakes and streams the
prmeyai forest still exists. OF course he Is correct,
with the exception OF the places from which the timber
has boon cut, which, he knows, are very many. But
he seems 10 forget that, res0ri, the woods
valuable particularly because OF the facility OF travelling
through them upon water and that no parties would
camp In the woods at great distance from the
cess In seeking game away from the waters during
OF the year ben eporsmen are able TO visit the
woods and remain for any length OF time.
Ought not a bill 10 be ut once passed by the Legisla
turc for the immediate repurchase OF all the lands
owned by private parties within the Adirondack woods
OF the 81 Regis waters, saranac Lakes and River, tho
Racquette Lake and River, tho upper Lake district and
the territory lying west OF the lastnaed lakes and the
Rsoquette River Including the Fulton Chain, Red Horse
the whole woods VIII In very short time present the
appearance which the old farmer loved 10 see In his
Belonging TO private parties and corporations will be
stripped OF their timber and those belonging to the
State be left intact while the deer will be frightened
OF by tho locomotive whistle aud tho woodman's
or course this eccs the stats by the
influence OF tho tniberand upon the and
naianr Inst so far the iands are despoled OF