The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-12-15

of its existence. There is another
congress. known as the Southern For
estry Congress, and it has for some
time been confidently expected that
one result Of the present meeting in
Atlanta would be an amalgamation
of the two.
On Monday evening, in Hamilton
Hall, Columbia College, there was
held a meeting of the New York
Academy of Sciences, and the time
of the meeting was mainly devoted
to a discussion on forest culture.
Some facts were presented, showing
what was being done in the way of
forest culture in Europe and one of
the speakers, DR.. Nicholas Jarchow,
argued strongly in favor Of establish
ing a school of forestry in or near the
Adriondacks. Another ofthe speak
ers was of the opinion that Cornell
University should take up the work.
The feeling was general that school
of forestry was desirable and there
was a strong recommendation to re-
organize the New York State Forest
ry Association, which. having grown
out of meeting held at the Arsenal,
in Central Park, in 1885, and having
been instrumental in inducing the
Legislature to pass the forestry law,
has latterIy almost dropped out of
existence. The presumption is that
as the result of this meeting there
will be throughout the State a re-
vived interest in the general subject
of forestry.
The increasing popularity of Arbor
Day in all sections of the Union is
another evidence of an awakened in.
terest in forestry. Nebraska was the
first State, we believe, to set apart
one day in each year for the good and
laudable purpose of planting trees.
This was in 1870 I; and since that time
more than seven hundred thousand
acres Of Nebraska land have been
planted with trees. The example has
been largely initiated in other West
ern States, and, indeed, Arbor Day
is likely to become popular over the
length and breadth of the Union. In
Georgia the suhjecl Of forestry is re-
ceiying attention in the public
schools
We can ill spare our forests and
woods. They are a source of wealth,
of health. of pleasure, as well as of
beauty, 1t is estimated that the an
nual forest product of the United
States amounts to $500, 900, OOO-more
than double the value of the cotton
crop. Our one hundred and fifty
thousand miles of railroad, with their
demand for crOssties, and the numer-
Gus other wood.requiring. wood
consuming enterprises of the country,
are terrible drain upon the woods
and forests and unless tree planting
is made equal to the consumption, the
forests will be depleted. One result
of the stripping of the forest land
will be increased and more destruc-
tive spring floods aud increased and
more ruinous summer drought, with
dangerous results to climate and
health. AS connected with forestry,
Arbor Day is to be encouraged. We
but imperfectly comprehend as yet
how much a general taste for tree
culture would lead to the beautifica.
ton of our cities and how much this
same Identification would lead to
health and comfort. Let any of our
readers compare Fifth Avenue, New
York, with Clinton avenue or Wash
ington avenue, Brooklyn, and he will
understand what we mean and
Brooklyn offers but specimens of
what may be seen on grander scale
in Buffalo, in Cleveland and in Wash
ington.-N. Y. Mail and Express.