St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-05-11
THE NATIONS FORESTS

the NATIONS tOReSJS
uov to Prs..rvs fr .m Rass,sss Deserue.
tiou by UaseruualOus Spectators.
The FIRST step in the effort to provide
Cor the conservation Of the forests on
the National domain should bo the
withdrawal from safe OF all forest
lands belonging to tho Nation. 1t will
not be necessary TO preserve and main
tain all these forests permanently. but
the extent VI forest territory which
will be required by a practical plan OF
Misrepresentation and management
for our Western moul ltain regions can
not be at once precisely determined.
A thorough examination Of these re-
gions. and Of the agricultural country
depending upon them for its water
supply will be necessary. in order to
show what forests nust be retained.
and what tracts OF tcnber can be put
upon the market wit: :out injury to the
important interests involved. Until
such all examination has boen made.
none Of the forest lanas now belonging
to the United States should he sold.
The second step should be tO COM
init to the United Sta 'es army the cnre
and guardianship Of the forests belong
ing to the Nation. There Is in time OF
peace no other work OF National de-
fense or protection so important as
this which the army can perform. and
1t is plain that under existing condi-
tiOns the forests on the National do
main will not be-inde d can not be-
adequately guarded and protected by
any other means. The measures
which have been tried including those
now in operation, or nominally in
operation. have proved almost entire
ly ineffective. The forests on the pub
lie lands are pillaged by settlers and
by the employees OF railroad and min
ing companies without scruple or
limit. Other instruments will have to
b. employed if the forests are to be
preserved. Their complete and final
destruction. with that Of the soil
which sustains them. is. under the
present system. or want OF system.
only question Of time. aud Of 4 very
short time.
The officers Of the United Statee
army are educated BY the Nation for
its services. and they constitute body
of men not eqnaled by any other in our
country in their equipment for guard
ing and protecting the great forest re-
gions belonging to the Nation. They
possess every kind OF fitness f,r this
work in greater degree than any other
class of men. and il authorized b Law
10 und rtake this service they would
have the power and the means neces-
sary for its performance. while every
body else is at present inevitably pow
erless and incapable. As there Is like.
Iy to be very little work for the army
hereafter in the care Of the Indians. it
will be available for this service Of
guarding the National forests The
work can be done we'll by tie army.
and it would cost nothing. or very
little. while any other plan would
necessarily DO both ineffective and
costly. This guardianship and de-
feuse of tho Nations fOrests
by the army Of the nation should be
continued and maintained until o suf.
ficicnt nH.hber Of adequately trained
and equipped foresters has been pro-
vided by the National Government for
the administration Of complete and
permanent system and policy for the
management OF the forest on the pub
lie domain.
This brings us to consider the third
step. This should be the appointment
BY the President Of commission TO
make q thorough examination Of the
condition OF the forests belonging to
the Nation, and OF their relation to the
agricultural interests OF the regions
through which the streams flow which
have their sources in these forests.
and to report. with the facts observed.
comprehensive plan for the preserve
ton and management Of the public
forests, including system for train
ing. by the Government. Of suf'icien.
number of foresters for the National
fOres, service.
The Commission should determine
what portions OF the existing forests
on the public domain should be Per-
manently preserved. and in what man
ner the remainder should be disposed
of. The National forests can be ~
managed that they will be perpetual,
reproduced. and. will yield forever ar
abundant supply OF timber for the in
habitants Of the adjacent country. an,
a revenue which will more than srs-
tain the cost Of the forest service. a
National School Of Forestry should Ia,
established at suitable place in Or
Of the great mountain forests on tn
public lands. aud its equipment shouls
be as thorough and adequate for ii:
purpose rs & at of the National Mil.
tnry Academy ut West Point-Garde,
und Envs.ssA