The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1894-11-15
CAROLINA FORESTS.
WOODMAN, SPARE THAT TREE.
An interesting Paper on the Subject
of the Forests and Forest Lands of
Eastern North CarOlina-SomeS Start
ling Facts Presented by State Geo.
IOgist Holmes.
charlotte Observer. !

ICharlOtte Observer.
The Observer has on its table
advance sheets of the preface to a
report on the present condition of the
forests and forest lands of eastern
North Carolina, now being published
by the State Geological Survey. The
body of the report has been prepared |
by Mr.. W. W. Ashe, of the survey. |
1t will be ready for distribution at an
persons who may apply for it. We
learn that the report will give the .
result of Investigations or the following /.
matters: As t. our existing forest |
resources as to how these resources
can be utilized to the greatest advan-
tage without involving the destruction
Of the forests as to how the waste
| lands Of the State can be continuously
restored with valuable trees, and our
| forest wealth be thus perpetuated, and
as to what can be done to encourage
the development in the State Of enter
prises which will manufacture into
finished products larger portion OF
our timber instead Of shipping to other
States our crude raw materials for
manufacture there.
These are questions OF great impor-
tanCe, and the coming volume must
prove a most valuable one.
1t is to be hoped that the report will
excite a keen interest among our
people in regard to preserving the
young forests, while we are cutting
down SO extensively the maturer
growths of timber. Geologist Holmes
says in his preface
The policy of the average citizen
appears to be based upon the theory
that our natural resources are mex
haustiblc, and that we should get all
out Of them we can to-day and let the
future take care of itself. And so
thoroughly grounded arc these notions
in our public and private policy that 1t
is exceedingly difficult to secure the
adoption of any plan which runs coun-
ter to them. But fortunately, III the
for use by a future generation need not
prohibit the utilization of the valuable
timber now standing by the present
generation. 1t only demands that
while we cut and make use of this
timber we protect the young growth,
and look to the restocking OF our
waste lands with valuable trees, and
thus make the forest valuable for
future generations also.
We quote again:
AS shown in the body Of this report,
, the approximate supply Of pine timber,
. now standing in eastern North Caro-
lima is about 5000, 600, 900 feet, and
this is being cut at the rate of about
, $50 900 900 feet per annum. These
) figures point in unmlstakahIc terms to
the fact that. unless meanwhile we
encourage the growth OF new trees.
two decades more VIII find the valuable
pine forests OF this region largely a
thing of the past. And 1t Is un1ortu'
nately true that the cutting OF this
timber is often followed by the destruc'
! ton of the forest. Indeed, nothing IL
the way of forest management coult
: be more reckless and destructive thai
? the treatment of our long-leaf pine
forests during the past few decades. IL
the boxing for turpentlne the tree:
- have been cut so deeply and so eNten
sively that both their vitality an(
strength have been greatly weakened
and the storms prostrated many OF TIT
u finest specimens. The lumberman ant
Il the storms have been followed b.
forest fires. which have complete'
the destruction, already begun III s.
10 systematic Il manner. OF large area
The total area of these waste land
is now nearly half 4 million acres, an
is steadily increasing. The repol
enGeavors to show that while much {
these waste lands are worthless 10
other purposes. they can be reset wit
lony-leat pine forests If they can onI
be protected against forest fires an
= stock. And it /, gratifying to tin
among the lumbcrmen themselves
growing realization OF the fact that
j. to their interest and to the lnterer
of the public at large that this destfu
tive policy give place to a more INTEL
cent plan which. while it does ne
seriously curtail the utilization OF II
as existing forests. looks to their prote
ne ton and prosperity.
ny These facts are startling they
ng alarming. We hope Prof. Holm
and his assistants will find their labo
= resulting in an awakening OF o
}, people to take active measures for Il
preservation of our forests.
S, While Couonseed has been fed
- cn,.lo f,r n,nnr Nears II IS only VIII