The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-09
FOREST

No part OF the governors message
should receive more careful attention
from the legislature than that in which
he recommends the enactment OF laws
to prevent the destruction Of our for
ests. The governor thinks the railroad
companies should be compelled to take
precautions against the spread OF fire
from locomotives on their right Of way,
and he is unquestionably right. Self
preservation ought to impel these cor
porations not only to such action but to
enter upon broad and comprehensive
systems Of forest culture. IT iron does
not supplant wood for railroad ties a
very serious problem will confront our
railroad companies in a few years. A
recent government report on the con-
sumption of our forests by railroads con
tains some startling figures. 1t shows
that 100000 ties are annually needed
for new construction and renewals by
the roads Of the United States, which is
equivalent to about 6 5,O00,O00 cubic
feet Of raw material. The various woods
are estimated to be used in about the
following proportions: Oak, 45,O0o,OOO;
chestnut, 3,5O0,O00; pine, .12,50O,OOO;
red, white and California cedar, $780,
900; hemlock and tamarack, 100000;
cypress, 100000; redwood, 2,5oO,000;
other kinds, 100000. Thus oak fur
nishes about 60 per cent. Of the supply.
and not only from choice trees mainly,
but from the young growth, which may
make one tie to the tree or one to the
cut. For bridge and trestle work co.
100000 cubic feet OF sawed material may
be added to the requirement., SO that a
total of 5%OO,0OO,OOO cubic feet OF wood in
the shape of round timber for railroad
purposes seems to be a reasonable esti-
mate Of the annual consumption. This
requires the culling Of the best timber
from probably more than 100000 acres
of natural forest lands, and to furnish
this amount continually it is calculated
that not less than 100000 to 100000
acres OF well-managed forest would be
required, or with the present absence Of
management the area to be reserved for
the purpose would have to exceed 50.-
COo,Oo0 acres, or more than 10 per cent.
Of the present forest area Of the country.
Chief Fernow, of the Forestry division,
recommends the establishment OF ex-
%perimental tree plantations, to settle, as
far as possible, the various questions re-
garding forest planting upon which the
opinions of settlers differ so greatly.
The chief proposes, in his annual report,
to seek the cooperation Of the expert
mental stations now existing in the tree
less regions, and that Of private individ-
uals who can offer special facilities, in
order to establish experimental stations
upon a uniform and centrally directed
plan, while it would also be desirable to
seek the cooperation of the authorities
having charge Of the military reserva-
tions in the west, for a similar purpose.
From such stations it would eventually
be possible to distribute plant material,
as has been successfully done by the
California agricultural and forestry
stations and elsewhere. A desirable
expenditure in the same direction, Mr..
Fernow thinks, would be the establish
ment Of a national arboretum at Wash
ington, for the purpose Of collecting the
timber trees that can be acclimated here.
The subject is n OF vast Importance
to the people OF Montana, and our law
makers should give it thoughtful and
intelligent study. The legislation recon-
mended by the governor should be i'm
mediately enacted and should be follow
by the adoption of a broad general policy,
as a result Of further consideration,
which should bring us into working
harmony, if possible, with the plans OF
the general government.