The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-04-04

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States Senate setting apart large tract Of
timbsred lands on the hesdwaters Of the
Missouri and Clarke's Fork TO be preserved
from devastation, led us to procure copy OF
the bill TO ascertain the location and area Of
preserve. II appears In this issue. An ex-
animation Of the maps shows IL takes of .
portion Of the northeastern corner Of Mis-
soula county and the western portion of
Choteau. II covers the main tributaries of
the Sun, Teton and Marlas rivers, tributaries
of the Missouri, and the Elathesd and South
Fork Of the Kootenai rivers which are tribu-
tary TO Clarke's Fork of the Columbia.
There are few, If any, settlements in the re.
gion embraced, and it is even north Of the
fifty mile northerly limit Of the Northern
Pacific Railroad grant SO that no vested
rights are interfered with, aud IL is doubtless
nearly all mountain and forest land.
The purpose, although not so expressed,
is undoubtedly to protect the sources Of
strong tributaries of the Missouri and CO.
lumbia from freshets and drouths and main.
tain as nearly as possible through the sum-
mer an equable fow Of water therefrom.
The question of forest preservation and for
est growth is one attracting much attention
from far-seeing legislators. 1t is argued that
the destruction of timber on tributaries and
exposure Of the SHOWS to the sun sends the
torrents down In food TO be succeeded later
by dry beds when they should be pouring
steady supplies into the main stream. In
Europe many of the governments have long
since accepted these facts aud provided for
the protection Of the forests and the growth
Of succeeding ones where the old are cut
down. In the United States there has been
but little attempt to preserve, but liberal
laws have been enacted TO encourage timber
culture, having in view the three fold object
streams, and providing for domestic purposes.
1t Is the general opinion that the experiment
has been failure and the timber culture
laws will probably be repealed in toto or ma
terially amended within the next few years.
Senator Edmunds has introduced, If we
are not mistaken, the first bill to provide for
the protection Of existing forests at the sources
Of great rivers and the reservation Is happily
In region covering the feeders of two great
streams aud one not occupied or likely soon
IL ever to be required for occupancy and set
tlement. While 1t may be true to a consid-
cradle extent that our forests are different
from those Of Europe, In that when they are
destroyed 1t takes, owing to the different
species of trees, generations of time TO re-
place them, whereas our pines are in few
years succeeded by an underground that pro-
tects the SHOWS almost as well as the larger
trees, the conditions are such al present that
this act Is especially well.timed, and it will
lead TO q denomination of the question As
between the pine lumbermen and the for.
esters.
The construction aud operation Of the
Northern Pacific road has been, and is, max.
ing, and will continue to make, an enor-
nous draft on the forests Of Western Mon
tana. The destruction Of timber, for useful
purposes II is true, In Bridging, trestling,
tieing, firing and building, and In supplying
timbers and lumber for hundreds Of miles
east and south Of the localities where IL Is
growing 10 gigantic and Is only just begun.
IL Ia net unlikely forests fires have In the
past annually destroyed as much timber as
the lumbermen now consume, but instead of
that wastage cessing there is every probable |
ity Of It's increase by communication from |
dry tops and more numerous camp fires. |
The rapidity with which the forests are be- |
ing cut along the line Of the road indicates
clearly that the denudation will be very ex-
tensive before the new growth, even IL the |
theory of those who believe In the snow |
holding and ran-generating qualities thereof |
ls correct, can attain considerable proper |
tions. As the better areas Of timber are |
worked out near the lines Of road, the choicer |
forests more remote will be explored, cut,
and RATED or "run" to them. This Is but q
natural sequence. 1t will be so, not only on
the west side Of the range, but If railroad
construction demands II, ii will be SO on the
east side Of the range, and 1t is we'll that
great preserve like that proposed shall be
now set apart from intrusion and so MAN.
tanned. There are forests ample for all le-
climate uses existing within the Northern
Pacific grant, which are conveyed TO it and
the Government holds, or could hold lift had
them surveyed, an equal portion for sale or
We hope therefore, as we un.
derstand 1t, to see this bill pass. 1t is inf.
pitely more rational than the laws now on
the books, and which were sought to be en-
forced some years ago under Department
rules anil conditions that IT ade them tyran-
nous. Succeeding such reservation. should
be provisions for extending the surveys from
agricultural and mining districts into and
the timber lands SO that title can
be obtained thereto under the land grant
and by settlers and miners who desire. In
ividual ownership will do more to protect
he forests than sll the Timber Agents armed
with processes and unholy rules that the
Departments can stand the expenses, and an
loyance Of. ..