Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-01-07

the Gus ody OF them to the Department of Agri-
culture, under a competent commissioner or
commissioners = to department already
equipped with division OF forestry. and under
which they could be 30 administered as TO be-
come source of national pride and wealth. II
it be contended that the retirement of SO much
of the puoie domain is not in accord with the
policy of our Government, we suggest that this
loss can be offset by wise efforts 10 expand the
benefits of the Timber Culture act the time fol
proving up can be extended and 10 those
who plant timber upon otherwise unprOduetive
grounds, immunity from taxation for all time
upon lands eonsecrated to this purpose.
The principle which would justify such legis-
laton lies in the TACT that the planter becomes
public benefactor, and that long before any
direct profit can accrue to him benefit has in
ured to the whole commonwealth by his act.
Aside from persons who have availed them
selves of the Timber Culture Act OF 1878, are
many individuals and corporate owners OF
large tracts of mountain and upper foothlll
lands unacceptable of irrigation or cultivation;
hence. unsuitable fOI agricultural uses. and
only available for grazing or to.est plantation.
Wouldbe planters of such tracts are largely
deferred from SO doing through want OF au-
thoritatiye information as TO the character of
timber best qualified to thrive thereon, and
under such conditions TO yield the best final
returns. All legitimate encouragement should
be rendered those willing 10 engage their time
and means in enterprises calculated to 20
largely redeem the arid character OF much OF
this country.
This announcement is best promoted by the
the most arid districts of Colorado, California
Nevada and Arizona, and while their eduoa-
tional value will beindisputable wherever estab
lished, the practical and material necessity for
their existence is most strikingly emphasized
in those states and Territories dependent upon
seasonal rains, or subject to periods of long
prOtTacted drought.
Properly belonging in the jurudiction of the
Department of Agriculture, such stations Oh
viously must be independent of, and remote
from, agricultural experiment stations. These
latter are (aud properly conducted upon lands
fitted for cultivation. The former must be upon
grounds typical of the millions of acres of to-
day waste lands ofthe arid Southwest.
Publicminded citizens tender ample lands
for sucn purposes free of cost to the Govern.
ment. The initial cost OF planting them out
will not be great, and the subsequent cost OF
maintenance VIII be in constantly diminish
ing iatiU until they ultimately become selfSup-
porting, or a source of revenue to the St7te.
The present administration, or rather want OF
administration, of the Federal timber lands OF
this coast, Is an rragurnent of the best Intelli
gence and patriotism of the General Govern
ment which disregard of the enlightened
methods of other nations might not alone ehai-
lenge, but which due regard to ourselves and
poster ty does and which strenuousy and ex-
isentiy calls for reformation and remedial
measures that shall check the impending men-
see TO our immediate and future prosperity.
The actiVe and earnest cooperation OF the
Ca ifornia State Board of forestry can at all
times be relied upon to supplement- and forward
such action as Congress may take.
The memorial is accompanied by en-
cravings reproduced from photographs
which show in most graphic manner the
results of improvident methods OF cutting
timber aud the ravages of forest tires.