Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-01-02

as well as economy, for no doubt there i
annually more Individual effort and self
sacrifice put forth in this state, to nc
purpose whatever, than would aggregate
| the cost of one hundred experimental
stations. The plains must be reclaimed
It can and will be done. Shall it now be
undertaken? One fftieth part of the
labor that was required to clear the state
OF Ohio of its forests and bring the virgin
soil into good state of cultivation, it In
diligently applied to the plains of ON
state, would cover them with orchards
forests and gardens, sand the wilderness
and the solitary place shall be glad fol
them; and the desert shall rejoice and
blossom as the rose.''
This brings me to the effects OF forestry
on navigation. Eighty years ago the
hardy pioneers began cutting the timber
from the banks Of the Ohio river, and
long ago its fertile banks, failing to re-
ceive the protection of the forest trees
through the agency of the freezing OF
winter and the washing of the stream
have been caving in, thus each year In
creasing the distance between its banks
thus robbing the farmer of his best soil
which contributes to enlarge the sandDars
and islands OF the river, and portion is
added to the delta on the gulf.
| But these are not the worst results. As
| the stream had grown wider the depth OF
| the water had decreased, which had
greatly added in making navigation pass
able during the great part of the year to
only the smaller class of boats. Had the
primeval forests continued to line her
banks, their washing away would not
have occurred; or should they once more
become fringed with willows or other
suitable trees, the reduction of the banks
would not only cease, but the process OF
rebuilding would commence and con-
tinue, until. within a few years, an
appreciabie difference in the depth Of the
channel would be observed. It would
! also add to, instead OF diminish, the value
of lands adjacent. [ thus refer to the
| Ohio river not because it is an isolated
case, bat because, for many years, I had
abundant opportunities to witness these
operations and deplore the results. Like
causes produce ike effects, and other
rivers are affected in similar manner.
There are great causes operating
against internal navigation, viz: The de-
flciency of a regular supply of water in
the rivers, caused by the destruction OF
the forests at the sources of the streams;
but must confine this article to forestry
on the banks of the rivers.
| Other causes being the same, the depth
of stream will be proportioned to its
width. Thus, if it averages one foot in
depth, it will be two feet wide If it be-
comes contracted one-haif; and thus adj
ditional advantage would be secured,
and this depth would be more likely to be
continued than If the stream had re-
manned at the previous depth. This law
is, perhaps, generally understood; but how
shall we apply it successfully to our nav
agable rivers? We cannot wall them in
with brick and mortar. We cannot hem
them in, with mighty framework of
sawed lumber. No, bat man can exert
almost miraculous power in fixing the
boundaries by walls of forests. Oh
structions on opposite banks, such as
suitable trees, that will reduce the width
of the stream, are the means, and the
only means, available to man, that viii
permanently and sufficiently secure such
rivers as the Arkansas and the Missouri
TO navigation. Let the native willows be
Systematically planted and cared for
along the banks of these rivers, and so
managed that they viii continue to en-
croach on the stream until the desired
width and consequent depth is secured,
and the great object will be attained.
Me thinks heard some one say simpos-
sible." 1t is your privilege to exercise
your Judgment But permit me to ask
you to give it some careful thought. 1t
has pleased the Creator to place to mans
use the powers of nature in combating
like powers, and it seems plain to my
mind that the mighty forces OF forest
growth are designed in this case to be
utilized by man to. fixing the banks Of
streams in such way that the waters
may be made available for the purpose of
navigation. When this growth becomes
permanent and the river becomes swollen
above its artificial banks, in consequence
of the sluggish condition of the water in
and along the young timber, deposit OF
sand, clay, leaves, etc, will take place,
which will be repeated at each rising of
the stream. At the same time, in conse-
quence of the contraction of the banks,
additional depth and also weight of water
beinglsecured, which accellerates the move
ments of the current, thus it plows a
deeper channel and continually forces the
movable sand, ETC., toward either bank,
thus the double operation is secured, viz:
building up and fixing the banks, and
furrowing out the channel. might here
give another outline of the plan of opera
tons, but will defer it for the present. I
believe this plan is entirely practicable,
and the only one by which the Arkansas,
Missouri and like rivers can be utilized
for the purposes of navigation. Here is
room for the exercise of broad states
manship. Here is an opportunity for the
government to extend its helpful arm and
confer untold blessings in the immediate
future upon man, which blessings may
continue to the end of time. Railroad
men will sneer at these propositions;
statesmen may think it rather dirty work
for their dignity, and small politicians
will not vociferate in their favor, except
they see prospect to initiate their purses
thereby. In the meantime the industrial
classes will submit to the exactions OF
railroad and other monopolies, until,
through the powers of better education,
they will rise in their might and demand
of their servants proper attention to their
best interests.
STOCK-FARMsNG FACTS.
Points for This Precise Season of
the Year in the Buffalo Grass