The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1885-12-24
PRESERVATION OF THE FORESTS.
Suggestions Put Forth in the Report of the
Commissioner of agriculture.

SHg0eSfi0uS Puf fOJfh fn me hepOrL OJ ue
Commissioner of agriculture.
The commissioner OF agriculture in his
report says there is, perhaps, no direction
in which the department can be used to
greater benefit than in its attention to for
estry interests; and, considering the vast
Importance to the nation of aproper inves-
t~igation OF the subject, no branch has been
more poorly endowed by congress-. Efforts
should be made at once to arouse and en-
tighten the people as to the dangers which
are threatened through the destruction OF
forests. "Arbor days" should be insti-
tuted in all the states, the science OF forest
ry should be taught in schools, and the or
ganization OF local and stated forestry
societies should be encouraged. The report
continues st is already apparent that
efforts for promotion of forest tree plant
ing, through liberal laws on the part OF the
United States, and through various prem
iums and exemptions on thepart OF certain
states are not to meet with abundant sue
cess. Inducement having failed, education
should now be attempted. Such an effort,
to be successful, ought to be inaugurated
by the general government itself. Adequate
means should be Forthcoming to deal with
UlllS udOtOllttl HcCt SSlCy III IL ldoioi1 10 q.
l have submitted an estimate for $4,000
to continue these investigations in the man
ner in which they lave been prosecuted in
previous years; but should congress deemit
wise to increase the scope OF the investiga-
lions to proportions somewhat common
surate with its Importance, possibly to I'M
dertake the line of work to which | have
alluded, and perhaps to establish expert
mental plots for forestry upon the public
domain, an intelligent and comprehensive
discharge of the duty would require a great
W increased appropriation.
Among the reports from the division OF
forestry, to which he makes reference, is
that in regard to the construction OF forests
for the purpose Of furnishing railroad ties.
This shows that it requires nearly 17,OOO,-
600 acres of woodland, or 4 per cent. Of
the woodland area OF the country, exclu-
sive of Alaska, to supply ties.
He says it has become a question whether
railroad companies might not be made to
see e is to be a feasible thing for their inter
ests 10 plant trees along their roadways OF
on tracts OF their and adapted to the pur-
poses, and thus benefit themselves while at
the same time relieving the existing forests
to the same extent from an OnOrOuS de-
mand which is now made pon them. The
land grant companies have an abundance.
In view of the continued destruction of the
timber on the government lands, and the
Importance OF preserving for permanent
cultivators and using such portions of for
ests as are adjacent to the head springs Of
the rivers, or which may be neeued cor
climatic or other reasons, he urges that the
further sale OF timber lands belonging to
he government ought to be suspended
until such time as a careful survey shall
ascertain What portion of them may be
sold without involving injury to the u
try, and what ought to be permanently
held in the forest condition.
The commissioner, referring to the re-
quest of the American Pharmaceutical as
ISOLATION that the commissioner OF a~sricul-
ture take measures for the introduction
into cultivation in this country OF such of
the important foreign medicinal plants as
would be adapted to our climate, in order
that they might be- readily attainable in a
fresh state, and that another industry
might be added to our country's resources,
says: ''There is no doubt that many OF
the most important medicinal plants are
perfectly adapted to our climate and could
be cultivated in perfection, and it would
seem well that means should be taken to
give them a proper trial"
Fears are expressed, he adds, that some
OF these plants are becoming eXterminated
in their native stations, and in respect to
some Of them, as, for instance, the ginseng
plant, the time has come when they may
probably be made the objects OF profitable
cultivation.