The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-11-05
VOL. SO.---4O73. NO. 4.

there is no systematic effort to recothe
abandoned and worn out lands with fores
growth. Nature. in her own way, is labor
ing TO repair the waste of man. Fourth,
about twenty-five cords to the acre is cut
after growth of twenty years, increasing
about one and one-half cords per year in
the next ten years. Fifth the use of
coal is rapidly increasing and reducing the
consumption of wood for fuel Sixth the
replies indicate less damage from forest fires
than was expected. 1t is, however, consider
able in the aggregate, and the injury seems
to be greatest to the second growth and in
places where the mill timber has been cut
and brush and tree tops left to feed the
forest fires. The disposal of these, of course
can be regulated by law. Fires are often
started by careless and irresponsible persons,
and a law to be of much effect must take
notice OF this fact. Seventh, no disease
now affecting the spruce is reported. Injury
to maple, tamarack and some other trees
from borers caterpillars and insects is re-
ported, but the damage seems not to be
great or general, Eighth, the answers TO
the questions in regard to the effect of the
removal of the forests upon the springs
streams and ponds Of the state, with scarcely
an exception, tell the same story: that the
water supply is year by year failing, and
that the smaller springs and streams which
had never until recently been known to
fail often become totally dry in dry season.
and specific than to any other. n very few
say they notice no changes. Only two of the
| several hundred express the positive opinion
| that there is no change in their vicinity, and
| very many over all parts of the state give
| facts in detail which are certainly of a very
alarming character. 1t is evident from the
| replies that this phase of the question is the
| one which has engaged the attention of the
| people and excited more universal interest
| than any other. 1t is generally admitted
| tn a nf a ms nxri
| results of the devastation of our forests.
| The commission finds 1t difficult to pre-
scribe any specific remedy. The state has
| no public domain. The land and timber
| are owned by individuals, and it is difficult
| to deal with the question by legislation;
the action taken by other states is reviewed
| and the measure now pending for establish
ing United States experimental stations in
| connection with state agricultural colleges
The state is considering the question more
in the direction of inquiry than of specific
| measures Hon. e. j. Phelps, one of the
| commissioners, recommends an amendment
to the railway charters requiring the use of
coal in all locomotives. The exemption
from taxation of land used for growing
wood is discussed. OF this recommendation
the commission says: We suggest, also,
that such a law is inconsistent with one
now on our statute books If party pur-
chases few hundred acres of timber land,
or only buys standing timber by the cord or
thousand, and puts on a portable mill of
one thousand dollars value, we exempt him
from taxation for five years while he is cut
ting off all the available timber within his
reach, and he is then ready to move to
| another tract where he can repeat the
operation and claim exemption for an
other five years. Would it not be an
anomaly in legislation to exempt this man
from taxation for destroying the forest
! and also exempt his successor for re-
storing the same? Which is the public
L | hapafapfor A mill pf tbis class which cuts
: rough lumber to be shipped out of the state
! = to be manufactured and sold back to us at a
price of course sufficient to cover the cost OF
> manufacture, fair profit and transportation
; both ways, is hardly an enterprise that
\ | calls for encouragement by exemption from
> taxation. They cut off the timber and
soon leave the locality with less value fol
taxation than when they found it. II
: is poor way to protect forests to protect
| those who are destroying them" The
u discrimination in railway freight rates il
favor of rough lumber and against manu-
!, facturers of wood is cited as being unfavor
y able to forest preservation and the genera
Il prosperity. Legislation to encourage thu
r manufacture of wooden wares is commended
IL The true key to the care OF the old forest
= and the rearing Of new ones, the commits
d sion says, lies in convincing the people o
IS the profit OF forest husbandry The mos
J. important feature of the question is the re
e stocking of worn-out lands. The farme
y calculate as he does with other crops wha
d varieties are best adapted to different soils
IS The work of disseminating information upo
s. this subject is properly the function of tn
y board of agriculture. Space forbids so flu
/ an abstract of this valuable report as W
t should be glad to give. Much of the groun
lie has already been traversed by this paper i
T. its discussions of this interesting question
'e We shall have occasion to refer again to thi
ID report and give in full some of the fine
m ings and suggestions of the commissioner
re The following legislation is recommended
a. First, that the statute exempting mani
he featuring establishments from taxation b
" so amended as to exclude df nothing more
is the class of migratory saw-mills we have r.
in ferred to from its benefit. Second that a
ID act be passed to punish those guilty of gro
of cdreleSSneSs in setting fires which cause dan
th age to woods or forests. Our statute onl
I'd Furnishes the wilful and malicious act (Se
a 4132, revised laws) except in the case
I'd tramps (Sec. 1860. Massachusetts in 1Ss
C. passed law Furnishing whoever 9 wantonl
tie and recklessly" sets fire which injurt
at standing wood. Third, the adoption of
ty resolution similar to the third clause of thu
Us adopted in Connecticut"