National Republican., 1884-05-09
TIE FORESTRY CONGRESS.
Discussions Upon Various Schemes for
Preserving American Forests.


The American forestry congress concluded
its annual session yesterday. Papers were
read by Messrs. Egleston, OF Washington; I.
4. Baker, of Topeka, Kan, and b. L. Fernaw,
of New York, on "The Value and Manage
ment Of Government Timber Lands" A
general discussion upon the subject showed
that the prevailing sentiment was that
tho land laws of the United States should
be amended so rs to distinguish between
simple agricultural land, which might be
almost arid and treeless, and tho valuable
timber lands Of the public domain. IL was
urged that the preservation of timber lands
was n matter Of national Importance, and
that such land should be withdrawn from
settlement or public disposal, A paper on
"The Preservation OF Forests on Ueadwaters
of Streams" was read by Mr.. G. NJ. Reed, of
Hudson, Ohio. Mr.. Parsons Of Virginia, who
had planted trees in n park of 300 acres, at
tho Natural Bridge, Va, detailed the methods
employed which had resulted in the forma.
tion of a beautiful grove.
II. w. Phipps, of Toronto Canada, deliv-
cred an address upon Timber Lands in
Canada and Legislation Thereon" Dr. Geo.
Vasey, botanist of the department of agri-
culture, read paper on "The Distribution Of
Forest Trees" which was followed by long
debate regarding the propriety of importing
trees from abroad, whilo America possessed
so many YarlBIlcS A5 SHOWN Dy InD paper.
The last paper by John y. Hicks, of New
York, was entitled planting of Trocs by
Railroad Companies" Mr.. Hicks presented
interesting statistics of tho consumption of
wood by railroads. lie estimated the cost
per mile of ties at 1924, every seven years, or
total of $14, 4,75i 900 for tho 10000 miles Of
railroads in the United States.
TO supply the necessary timber would re-
quiro 1852, 900, 900 acres of woodland kept
in constant growth, or l13 3-l0 acres per
mile ofsingle track road, which would be
equivalent to strip of land over 400 feet
wide, beside every mile of single road. Add
one-half to the estimate for double lines and
sidings, and assuming that only one-half Of
the distance could be planted. it would re-
quire nearly ono-half a mile Of growing
timber beside zach mile of railway TO pro-
duce sufficient number of ties for its use,
exclusive of tho timber consumed
in bridging and fencing. There
are many places owned by rail-
roads that could be planted with trees, which
would protect the road from snow drifts and
wind storms while growing and when an in.
telligent system of supply is established all
uncertainty will be removed.
The committee appointed to examine into
the merits of the bill now pending before
congress entitled "a bill to establish national
experiment stations in connection with
agricultural colleges of the various states
earnestly indorsing the bill and urging its
passage The committee on publications
recommended the appointment of a standing
committee on publications, aud the issue of
bulletin from time to time, as o means of
| communication among the friends of the
forestry movement, and of disseminating
valuable information concerning forestry.
The recommendations were accepted, and o
resolutionlwas adopted calling upon industrial
schools to begin at once tho work of forestry
education in their institutions. Presi-
dent Loring delivered the closing address,
He explained that he had called tho meet
ing for Washington, because he believed that
the time for mere talk had passed, and
the time for action had come. He believed
that the forestry congress, If held in WASH
ington, would secure more complete recog-
milton from the congress of tho United States,
and without such recognition little could be
done beyond tho exertion of such influence
as tho members possessed upon the state
governments and educational institutions.
The congress adjourned sine die. The next
session will be held at Saratoga, ". Y, on a
date to be fixed by the president-probably
some day in September next.