The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-09-23
FORESTRY CONGRESS.
Fourth Annual Meeting of the Amer
ican Society, In Boston.

BOSTON, Sept. 22.-The fourth annual meeting
Of the American Forestry Congress was opened at
Strong, who introduced Mayor O'Brien to make
the introductory remarks. The mayor spoke brief
words OF welcome stating that while the RESPONSE
bilities of the new city cnarter had not allowed
him opportunity to prepare such an address on
the subject as he could DESIRE he was fully inn
pressed with the objects of the congress. Presi-
dent Higey responded to the mayor and drew at
tention to the Importance of the movement for the
restoration of our forests. The various causes
bringing about the waste of our forest trees were
referred to and statistics presentedin detail show
ing the rapid and widespread destruction Of the
country forests. The speaker claimed that the
climate and the culture OF the soil would be great
ly improved and water supply would be more
abundant by the conservation of our trees. The
importance of correct information on these sub
jects in the public schools referred to and al
so that of organizing special local movements.
AT the afternoon session President Higley read
several communications. The first was from Dr.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, who, while regretting be-
ing unable to attend the congress, said he hoped
the people would allow the country to retain
'Leayes enough to hide its nakedness, of which
it is already becoming to be ashamed" Letters
of apology were read from Governor Harrison of
Connecticut, Senator Warner Miller, chairman of
the forestry committee of the Congress; Gen. W.
Ward, Hon. Charles f. Adams, Professor Adams
of Cornell University the Governor of Vermont
and Mr.. II. c. Putnam, a practical lumberman
All these letters expressed satisfaction with the
object OF the Congress and the hope that the ses-
sion would result in success Rev N H. Eggles-
ton, chief OF the forestry division of the Depart
ment of Agriculture, Washington, read a paper
ests OF the country and their consumption. Fol-
lowing Mr.. EggeStons address, the delegates
We're called upon to speak of the operations of
the societies in their districts. DR.. Cutting of
Vermont said that at Concord stream of seven or
eight miles in length. which formerly was power
full enough to supply power for two large saw
mills and other Smaller works has become SO
changed that instead of being water supply for
almost the whole year, it has become dry for half
its length during two or three months i'll the sum-
mer and spring because the timber has been re-
moved, He thought stringent laws should be
enacted to protect trees especially in New Eng
land
MIR. Could secretary of the State board of ag-
riculture OF Connecticut, said the State had EN-
powered his board to see what could be done in
matter of the preservation of forests and they
were authorized to see what could be done in CON
nection with other New England States and this
was being DONE
Hon Clinton L. Miriam of New York said that
his State had voted 5000 for the protection of
trees, and In few years people must appreciate
Ex-Governor Morton of Nebraska, ''the father
OF arbor day." did not think the question of rain
own State the rainfall had greatly increased and
they found that titled land contained twelve times
as much moisture as the same weight of prairie
land In Kansas and Nebraska the State offered
premiums for the greatest number of trees
planted on arbor day, and the consequence was
that over 100000 had been planted i'll single
The discussion was followed by the following
papers: Forests of California" by Prentice
Elizur. Wright of Boston, and Forest Entoni-
ology," by Prof. L. BiSouthwick.
AL the evening session Gov Robinson welcomed
the visitors and pointed out that Massachusetts
was the first State to show an appreciation of her
forest trees and to take measures to protect them.
He called attention to the pressing Importance of
the water question, and the matter Of preserving
forest trees has an important bearing III this con-
nection.
Ex-Gov. Morton was the next speaker and re-
ferred 70 tne value OF Arbor Day i'll promoting the
development of trees.
Ben Perley Poore followed in brief address,
expressing sympathy with the objects OF the Con-
gress.
Hon. Geo. B. Loring was next introduced He
drew attentl0n to the great value OF forests eSpec
ally win reference to the commercial value OF the
lumber trade. The city of Bangor had grown up
Wltnln MS remembrance and was due to the de-
velopment of the lumber trade At the present
value OF lumber the trade is greater than almost
all our annual products from other sources. He
belleVed We should plant as much as possible
IRON SEED and should select those that are natives
Prof b F, Northrop spoke chiefly on the i'm
portance OF planting seed where it is to remain
ana an grow rather than transplant or decapltate
mem as is too often done, A letter was read
from senator Miller of New York explaining the
| bill which he had introduced into Congress with
reference to the preservation of forest lands. On
motlon OF Dr. Loring it was voted to appoint a
commlttee to memoraliZe Congress in behalf OF
tne passage OF the bill. A resolution was also
ADOPTED giving the approval of this Congress to
tne moHement lately inaugurated by the Grand
Army POSTS by which Decoration Day is trans
FORMED into an Arbor memorial. the planting of
| trees being substituted for flowers
! Adjourned until tomorrow.