The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-10-16

| est, to allow them to develop themselves.
| But the vengeance of nature for the viola
| ton of her harmonies, though slow, is sure,
and the gradual deterioration of soil and
| climate in such exceptional regions is as
certain to result from the destruction OF the
woods as IL any natural effect TO follow its
cause"
Again with reference to the destructive
action of torrents he says, But the great,
the irreparable, the appalling mischiefs
| which have already resulted, and threaten
| to ensue on a still more extensive scale
hereafter from too rapid superficial drain
age, are of properly geographical charac-
ter, and consist primarily in erosion, dis
placement and transportation of the
superficial strata, vegetable and mineral
of the lnteguments, so to speak, with which
nature has clothed the skeleton framework
of the globe. 1t is difficult to convey by
description an idea of the desolation of the
regions most exposed to the ravages of
torrent and of food and of the thousands
who, in these theaters of the calamities
have but rare and imperfect opportunities
of observing the destructive causes in action.
Still more rarely can they compare the part
with the actual condition of the provinces
in question, and trace the progress of
their conversion from forest-crowned hills,
luXuriant pasture grounds, and abundant
corntields and vineyards well watered by
springs and fertilizing rvulets, to bald
mountain ridges, rocky decivities and steeD
beds now dry, now filled by torrents OF
fluid, mud and gravel, hurrying down to
spread themselves over the plain, and
blooming to everlasting barrenness the once
productive fields. In traversing such
scenes, it is difficult to resist the impression
that nature pronounced the curse of per-
petual sterility and desolation upon these
sublime but fearful wastes, difficult to be-
lieve that they were once, and but for the
folly of man might still be, blest with all
the natural advantages which Providence
has bestowed upon the most favored climes.
But the historical evidence is conclusive as
to the destructive changes occasioned by
the agency OF man upon the TANKS of the
Alps, the Apennines, the Pyrenees, and
other mountain ranges in Central and
Southern Europe, and the progress of
physical deterioration has been so rapid
that, i'll some localities, single generation
has witnessed the beginning and the end of
the melancholy revolution.
" 1t is certain that a desolation like that
which has overwhelmed many once beauti-
full and fertile regions of Europe awaits an
important part of the territory of the United
States, and of other comparatively new
countries over which European civilization
is now extending its sway, unless prompt
measures are taken to check the action of
destructive causes already in operation
1t is vain to expect that legislation can do
anything effectual to arrest the progress of
the evil in those countries, except so far as
the state is still the proprietor of extensive
forests. Woodlands which have passed
into private hands will everywhere be
managed, in spite of legal restrictions, upon
the same economical principles as other
possessions, and every proprietor will, as a
general rule, fell his woods, unless he be-
lieves that it will be for his pecuniary inter-
est to preserve them" Shall the fate which
has overtaken the countries of the old
world be invited or permitted by the people
of Vermont?
Mr.. Marsh also points out under the
titles, THE Economy of the Forest" and
Sylvculture," how forests may be pre-
served and, at the same time, be made a
source of profit to the state. A judcous
removal of valuable trees may be PEI emitted
sufficient to afford profit to government
for the purchase and care of forests not
only without damage to a country, but with
positive advantage in affording a chance to
younger trees. Another pecunary advan-
tage to the people OF the state of great value
which will attend the preservation of the
forests, and a constantly increasing one,
comes from change in the habits of the
American people which is rapidly going on;
the habit of taking summer vacations. The
people of the cities and plains flee to the
mountains and seashores by thousands
seeking rest and relaxation, health and
pleasure. They go to the picturesque and
beautiful regions they shun the prosaic
and Orbidding ones. They spend in the
aggregate vast sums of money, but they
spend it only where they can find enjoy
ment in the prospects before them. The
Green Mountains afford constant pleasure
to lovers of nature, but strip them of their
verdure and they will become tiresome and
repulsive. They are not majestic enough
to inspire by their magnitude the emotions
of sublimity; their attractveness lies in their
beauty, and their beauty lies in their color
and their graceful forms, and these in their
turn, are due to their foliage. Strip them OF
their foliage and lay their rocks bare to the
eye, and who would come to them for enjoy
ment? Preserve their beauty and ever
increasing thousands will seek Temporary
homes among them in the season OF rest,
and in supplying their wants the farmers of
Vermont will find employment and mar
ket for much OF their productions
The state of New Hampshire has become
impressed with the importance of preserv-
ing the scenery of the White Mountains
possess herself of the title to the land which
she unfortunately parted with years ago.
Vermont need not be deferred from ac-
curing the title TO these forests by their
cost The range from Cancels Hump to
Killington Peak is about fifty miles long
belt of the average width of three miles
would give one hundred fifty square miles,
or nlnety-siX thousand acres. This prob
ably exceeds the amout which would be
required Several thousand acres in this
region nave Dten TtCenlly SOlu, as L am
informed, for $3.50 an acre AT this rate the
whole tract indicated would cost $24O 900
Thirty square miles would probably be
more than would be required for the Mans
field Mountains, which at the same rate
would cost $4,000, making total of $685.
COO. jay Peak and some of the mountains
in the southern part of the state could prob
ably be secured within total of 500 900
The state could undoubtedly dispose OF its
bonds at four per cent for this amount al
par The annual charge would be about
$40 square mile or fourteen cents all acre.
The state could easily secure this amount
and the amount required for the oversight
OF the forests by the sale OF timber without
injuring the forests in the slightest degree.
Ii is manifest that Vermont can secure ali
the many advantages which will accrue
from the preservation of her forests with
out imposing any burden on her people
On the contrary, she can easily make these
forests source of revenue.
/ close with the impressive statement of
Mr.. Marsh as to the duty of protecting for
ests " The growth of arboreal vegetation is
50 slow that, though he who buries an acorn
may hope to see IL shoot up TO a miniature
resemblance of the majestic Tree which shall
shade his remote descendants, yet the
longest life hardly embraces the seedtime