St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-12-25
THE PARK RESERVE.
A Washington Official Expresses
Himself on 1t.

Himself on 1t.
The following letter is i'll answer to
questions by the state forestry associa-
ton respecting the size of the proposed
reserve, being 5000, 600 acres. its water.
ecOnOmizing and climatic effects, it's re-
latiOn TO lumber and agricultural indus
tries:
United States Department of Agriculture.
DIVISION OF Forestry, Washington, d. c., Dec
10, 1o91.-Hon j. o. Barrett, Secretary of the
Minnesota State Forestry Association, Min
neapOlis, Minn.-Dear Sir: In reply to yOur
three questions regarding the proposed Min
nesoia national park, cannot just now take
the time TO 20 into lengthy arguments, but
only state my convictions, based on many
years OF study, observation and thought on
this and kindred subjects
First, let me emphatcally correct the i'm
preston that the proposed park is large IL is
not large, but small; small ii you compare it
with the total area of the slate of which il
forms only about II per cent; small if ap-
preciaDle effects upon climate or water flow
are to be expected.
Only people with small ideas and little
knowledge of what climate is, or how il is
produced, talk of the influence of trees on
climate. Ii Is not trees, but masses of foliage
large areas of soil Withdrawn from the direct
rays of the sun, that alone can affect climatic
conditions, just as, and in the same manner
as large water surfaces modify the climate.
This statement does not vitiate the we'll
understood beneficial effects of the simple
wlndbreak or grove aud timber belt upon a
onhned area lying under its lee
The effect then, of preventing the evasta-
ton of an area like the proposed reservati on
II Northern Minnesota, and keeping it
largely under forest cover, upon climatic
conditions. is to temper the severity of the
north winds, by mOderating their tempera-
ture, by increasing their relative humidity
and III that way diminishing their refrigerat-
ing ana drylng power; for 1t is the dryness
OF these winds and the consequent rapid
evaporation that causes the late and early
frosts, 50 fatal to many crops
As to water flow, the same remarks as to
large areas hold. The woods retard the melt
Ing OF the snoW.ret9rd the rapid evaporation,
retard the rapid flow of water, and by length
ening the time through which the water re-
mains available on the ground. keep springs
brooks and rivers more constantly supplied,
and prevent or diminish to some extent
floods ana soil washing.
do not understand mat these reserves are
to be excluded from other use than as forest
cover.
No land thai would be more profitable
under the plOw should be kept IN timber
The mining industry should also be encour-
aged within this forest reserve. These in
terestS are independent and promote each
other. Forest products are needed by all and
should be cultivated on ali the poorer lands
and, in fact, on all land, however good, until
1t is needed Tor settlement.
Nearly as much wood and timber is con-
sumed by forest fires as reaches the market
Fires should be prevented; cutting should
be done with a view TO reproduction; a regu-
lar annual product should he provided for
manufactures, and manufactures should be
encouraged to utilize all forest products
Instead of culling the good timber and
leaving waste TO be burned over and to be
abandoned, forest reserve of this size prop-
erly managed, Will furnish continuous sup
plies of valuable material, will give contnu-
m MIR m ma nv NIL ole
continuous freight to railroads which must
be built TO develop ana practically secure the
object of the reserve.
Inc best forest management, contrary to
the conception of many, promotes the great
est possible population by making each acre
produce something OF value.
1t is only the man of eramped ideas who
cannot see the economic benefit 20 the state
ultimately resulting from the proposed pol
icy.
AS to the incidental value to seekers of
health and recreation, need not say word;
the enormous economic value of such re-
serve overshadows these considerations.
Yours truly. B. E. FERNow
Chief Of Forestry Division