The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-04-12

Forestry is receiving more and more at
tention from scientists and practical men
Of affairs as the years go by, but not yet
ls there sufficient announcement Riven 10
the study of the science, whether consid-
cred In it's economical effects upon the
commercial and agricu ltural interests OF
the country or in its purely scientific
aspects. Ii is only within the past fifteen
years that forestry has made any progress
in this country, and not yet is the impor-
tsnce of @ thorough knowledge of the diff
ferent phases of the science understood.
| Forestry means more than the mere con-
servation of the forests, more than the
mere setting of trees and more, too, than
the propagating OF trees for special pur-
poses. II means that the man who pro-
claims himself dendrolOgist must under
stand not only the best means of securing
the result aimed at in the planting OF
| trees and the conservation of existing for
este, but he must know the habitat of
every tree and shrub he encounters, and
must know Just when to take the young
plant up to have it grow properly and
! when it will be best fitted for pruning, to-
gether with a Thousand other technical
bits of knowledge which only come
through long practice But, above all aud
! beyond all. there must be an intelligent
| appreciation of the great economies in na-
/ ture in which forests are factors, the
source OF rivers, the annual rainfall. the
general distribution of moisture over q
! given area and the possible changes likely
/ to result from removing the forests or set
| ting new ones where none have heretofore
existed. All these points the dendrOlogist
must understand if he expects TO be sue
cessful and do good to the country and its
resources.
The u. 5. government has been aroused
to the Importance of the preservation of
the forests about the head waters of some
of the great rivers and has made them
into national parks. forever eXempting
them from the vandalism of the wood
mans AK. The Yosemite park has been
| increased by the addition of 1000, goo
acres 10 the south of il, comprising por-
| ton OF the Slerras among the grRndest
| mountain scenery in the country. 1t in
cludes the magnificent Kings river canon.
! by some considered a rival Of the Yosem-
lite itself. On the Pacific slope has been
! acquired 100000 acres more, including
some beautiful and grand mountain seem
| cry aud the famous big trees of California.
A large section of territory adjoining the
| Grand canon of the Colorado has been
laid out in public park, and much more
| IN and about the Yellowstone has been or
will be acquired in the same manner be-
fore very long Tue American people are
awake to a realization of the necessities of
1 saving the noble forests aud mountain re-
gIons unscathed from the commercial SIN
| which besets the nation. The conse-
quence of the acts of the past few years
il that millions of square miles are now
| national domain and will be kept for the
economical benefits derivable from the
conservation of the forests with which
thew are clothed and the preservation of
the natural beauties which nature gave
them in the beginning. 1t is verv hope
| fu indication that an appreciation of the
giories of the forests ana tue mountains
OF this continent is dawning at last. IL
has taken years of agitation to reach the
present status; 1t will take years more TO
reach the point where there will be no op-
position 20 the proposition to save oil for
ests intact, cutting out only the timber
which is useless and will soon fall aud be
wasted. That is the European plan, and
il can be worked as we'll in this country
as in Europe.
Movements are on foot in New York 10
secure a larger proportion of the famous
| Adirondack wilderness aud make il state
park, free to ali TO hunt and fish and seek
pleasure as they choose. 1t is very proba-
bile that the scheme will be successful. In
New Hampshire the same danger of de-
structiOn of the forests in and about the
White mountain region exists, and the
legislature at its present session has been
=
ton OF the entire territory by the state.
Ii did not succeed this session, but the
progress of the TuinatIon was temporarily
stayed, aud ere long the great White
mountain summer resort will become state
property and be forever freed from the
wood-cutter and lumberman.
Not little OF the intelligent apprecia-
tion OF this question has come from the
general observance OF ArboS day through
out the union. In that direction great
good has been accomplished, and more
will be. Ii is very gratifying 10 the friends
of the forestry movement TO know that
the new secretary OF agriculture is such
pronounced friend of ArbOr day and for
eslry in general. That official can do
much more for the cause than almost any
other individual in the country, aud when
one is chosen whose views and labors are
the land il is very pleasing TO the men
| who have spent years in educating public
opinion up to lite present standard.
The schools have done much. The mere
fact that one day Is set apart for the con-
sideration of tree planting. and that long
line of special studies have resulted from
the introduction OF such q day into the
schools OF various states, means much for
the future of the question. If the child
rem OF this generation are properly edu-
J Gated the men ana women of the next
will be willing to assist in tho consummR-
ton OF the plans originating a few years
ago.
The press has taken up the question.
and next to the discussion of good roads
there is nothing in which the people are
more vitality interested. NOta newspaper
from the Atlantic 10 the Pacific out COM
ments on it and opens its oIumns freely
20 the discussion of the subject. Very
few ever say anything against it, They
are 40 smali q minority that they are not
worth noticing.
The pulpit has discussed the subject in
SUNDAY sermons. Far and near the same
advice has been given. and the ministers
are ready TO use all their influence TO for
| ward the word