Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-16
THE FORESTS BATTLE.
Two Well-Known Societies Discuss tn,
Destruction Of Trees.
Secretary Morton and Prof. Fernow
lection In This Country.

joint meeting Of the National Geo
graphic Society and the American Forestry
Association was held at National Rifles
Hall last night 1t was well attended by
the members of the two organizations and
their friends. and it Is safe to say that the
hall never held O more intelligent and scien-
tific audience. Mr.. Gardiner G. Hubbard,
president of the Geographic Society. pre-
sided and in a few well chosen remarks in
troduced Secretary Morton Of the Depart
ment Of Agriculture, who also made a short
address, in the course of which he spoke
Of the deep personal interest he felt
in the efforts being made for the preserva-
ton Of the forests. Recognizing the great
influence of physical environments in the
development of The resources of the country,
he said. the one great thing lacking in the
states of the interior was forests with their
manifold benefits. He referred. proudly to
the arbor day celebrate Of his own state.
Nebraska, and expressed the opinion that
the absence of forests was mainly respons-
ible for the cyclones and droughts that have
caused 80 much devastation In the unpro-
tected prairfe lands OF the west. One of
the saddest and most significant sights he
had ever looked upon was the vast treeless
tracts of the west, upon which the sunshine
of summer poured down and the biting
winds Of winter mercilessly swept TO the
destruction of vegetable growth. the dis
comfiture Of animal life, ana, consequently,
the injury Of the farmer. For such a state
of Affairs man had but himself to blame.
But the inception and universal spread OF
the observance of arbor day marked, he be-
ieved a new era in forestry. and was for
the benefit OF those VINO VIII come after
u.s."
Secretary Smith of the Interior Depart
ment, who was expected to make an ad-
dress was unable to be present by reason
of the illness Of his SON.
Prof. Fernow's Lecture.
The address OF the evening was made by
Prof. B. e. Fernow. chief OF the forestry
division OF the Department OF Agriculture
1t was a lecture entitled. THE Battle of the
Forest" and consisted Of 8 word picture
illustrated by beautiful stereopticon views
of the struggle for existence that the trees
have waged against the forces of nature and
man since the beginning OF the world. con-
GLIDING with a fervent appeal for assistance
In the efforts of the forestry ASSOCIATION for
the preservation OF the forests In the inter
ests of natural beauty and humanity.
Forestry, he said, was one OF the mutable
elements OF geography and was perhaps the
only geographical element in the hands or
man. Tree growth ought to predominate
everywhere. Arborescent nora was in active
competition with the forces OF nature In all
parts of the world and It's ultimate triumph
rested with man. 1t Is questionable whether
a tree ever dies of old age. When it gets
old ii renews its growth and seems peren-
NAL. Trees are the Oldest inhabitants OF
the globe. and the pyramids and other
human monuments are young in comparison
There are trees whose existence undoubted-
ly began somewhere about 400. 500 or
nossihIy 62N wears ago and the sequoias OF
CaIfornia have a record OF so years.
Hard struggle.
80 On ,n,.ras,,,o bistorv
me ne.uIe' s ON - oss ,n,s =,
y, .i@ -. .,.,..r, ,-o,oanoas ana
'ne' .,. --.s =. .A,> oar,,er .gas
-.s - :, ,h.,r s,,ccassfu, st,ug-
=, VI. GO. =. g. IN 80 =, oona,-
81 ~, 49,. ,.o,.s,,,o g. T.ba virgin
- .',.,s,o.a ,,anv .,,acks NV
- a.. -, ,,-aro non, q, urea,
s'o'i ms "N ,N.e.,a.. ~, e., ,n,n,ou,,en,
- 80 80. ,,o, u,bor, thew
hed most hefrsenSed and who were Thought
iessly doing irreparable damage to their
country in their rapacious race for rapid
wealth. regardless Of consequences. Many
Interesting Instances were given of the SOIL
making properties of trees and the great in
fiuence they had In developing the natural
resources of the surrounding country. They
were described by species and their indi-
yidual merits and uses commented upon.
The trees of the United States were de-
scrtbed in detail, from the palms and man.
grove cacti Of the extreme south to the
hardy oak and hickory Of the north, and
the locust pine willow and juniper of the
Atlantic to the sequoia red wood and cy-
press OF the Pacific. The giant sequoia of
the Pacific is dying out. but the monarch of
the east-the iocust-seems still vigorous
and thriving Investigation has shown that
the western slopes Of our mountain ranges
are better wooded than the eastern slopes