St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-07-13
THE NEED OF FORESTRY.
Some Views in Todd County,
and Some Points in Regard to
the Destruction of Forests

Some Views in Todd County,
and Some Points in Regard to
the Destruction of Forests.
Special to the Globe.
LONG PRAIRIE, July 9.-Long Prairie
is the county seat of Todd county,
located at the southern eud of a narrow
plain that is walled right and left by
forested hills, stretching nOrthward
about twenty miles, through which
flows the river bearing the same name.
This clear stream has several water
falls more OF less improved by saw and
-four mills. Let's take walk. We are
on the bridge just out of the town on
the west. How prettily it glideS over
these sheets OF sand and beds of rock
literally loaded with green trails--''the
rivers hair!" Wonder if our world is
not an organized, sentient body, and its
rivers veins of vital refreshment? But
men generally don't care whether it is
or not: don't care cent whether leg
acy is left for future generations. Every
one acknowledges that the alarming
shrinkage of springs, lakes and rivers is
mainly due to the implacable tx and
, fire: and yet men keep right on reduc-
ing the forests everywhere regardless of
consequences. 1t is certain the
BEA UTIFUL PARK REGION,
with its innumerable water reservoirs,
unless something is speedily done to
arrest the calamity, will soon be trans
formed into dry and arid country. 1t
is estimated that not less than loo, 600
cords of wood were cut the current year
in Douglas county. Years ago farmers
burned up all their felled trees in huge
piles, preparing for farm tillage. They
average from 1925 to $3.50 per cord; and
when it reaches its destination consum-
ers pay double the price; hence the
middle men make all the profit. If they
would only select the larger and leave
the smaller sizes. there would be some
hope; but no, everything that will do
for wood has has to come down, and the
fire finishes the rest. Wood syndicates,
organized for the purpose, buy tracts of
timber which they literally denude of
trees, and then sell the land at another
high profit to men who are willing to
earn a living by 1.-The sweat of the
brow" The railroad companies have
induced the farmers to
SKIN THEIR FORESTS
of all the young trees suitable for ties.
worth from 50 to IS is cut up
and sold for SO cents tie.
The forests are going, going, going!
One side of man is devil. If he could
bore big hole into the center of our
world and suddenly become a million
aire on oil and gas, he would do it, if he
knew one-half the next generation
would be tumbled into it by an earth
quake. There is no certain antidOte for
the pending calamity of forest de-
structiOn, unless woodworking invent
ors can practically demonstrate that
ferrous material is cheaper than wood
for ties, for building and almost every
other structure, aud unless other in
ventOrS can furnish some kind of cheap
fuel and light equal the great and ever
increasing demand. Your correspond
ent has had repeated chances to notice
the position of the
FARMERS INSTITUTE
respecting forestry. 1t everywhere in
structs that improved stock and profita-
BILE crops involve the necessity of tree
protection. Evidently through its in
strumentality new interest is evoked
in this direction. To the credit of citi-
zens in Long Prairie, the need of pre-
serving the forests is better appreciated
than heretofore. was informed that a
project is OH foot to build wood factories
wherever available, with a view to
choice selection of trees for lumber and
the saving of the new growth. No wor-
thier enterprise could possibly be pro-
jected; besides, farmers would thus be
better Compensated as they are in Alex
andria and other points, and be induced
to save the young shrubbery for the fut-
ure.