Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1895-02-15
ON FORESTRY.

ON FORESTRY.
The State Superintendent Submits
Arguments Supporting the Con-
tinuance of the Office.
EDITOR TRIBUNE: Ever mindful of the
best good of North Dakota and its toiling
sons and daughters, l am prompted to ask
once more for a hearing in your journal.
There are innumerable strong and valid
reasons why the Office of the state superin-
tendent OF irrigation and forestry should
not be abolished. I will present a few:
1t is conceded by the people anG the press
throughout the state that the affairs of this
office have been faithfully, intelligently
and economically managed, and the facts
CLEANED and the light thrown upon the
subjects of irrigation and forestry have
been most advantageous to the state and
the community at large. Then why should
the office be blotted out?
The 672 flowing artesian wells scattered
throughout the state, with other evidences,
demonstrate in a most effectual manner
that artesian deposits underlie the various
parts OF North Dakota. And the Dakota
artesian basin, covering the two sister
states, is known to be the most extensive
and the most voluminous in the amount of
supply of any such deposits in the entire
world. Within q few days, at the South
Dakota legislature, bills have been intro.
duced creating a system tor the cultivation
OF crops on an extensive scale by means of
artesian waters. We in North Dakota have
as much need of irrigation as in the ad-
Joining state. The legislators of South
Dakota have never sought to repeal the
law of the state superintendent or engi-
neer of irrigation of that state, which was
enacted one or two years before ours of
North Dakota. AS in South Dakota, we
in North Dakota have need of the continu-
ton OF irrigation department, for the favor
able results that must accrue tLerefrOm.
Without doubt the windmill irrigation
system, fully outlined in my report, can be
utilized to good advantage in our state, and
ii can be made very serviceable during the
years that must elapse in the destruction of
the Russian cactus. And this Office should
be continued in order to make more prac-
tical the use of the artesian and under
ground waters of Il state for a certainty
and a profit in the raising Of grain, fruit
and vegetables.
The national government has given North
Dakota 100000 acres Of land on condition
that it will irrigate one.eighth of the same,
or twenty acres out Of each 160. in such a
n as to successfully raise grain, etc.,
with waters thus applied. This work is
involved in this department. Who can
question tor a moment but it would be wise
to take advantage of this rich gift to our
state? Properly managed it would add
Immensely to the material benefit of our
commonwealth. Then why destroy this
department?
The advantages and the necessity of for
estry u be apparent to every legislator.
The climate and soil OF North Dakota con-
tains all the conditions and elements neces-
sary for successful tree culture in our
state: Trees are necessary for fuel, for
building and fencing purposes and for pro-
lection of man, beasts and crops from the
winds and storms. They add materially to
the values of the farm, and serve an i'm
portant part in the adOrnment and attrac-
tlveneSS OF the country.
To the west and the southwest of US
there Is a vast empire Of 100000 square
miles practically devoid of trees and SUR
face water. By virtue of favorable condi.
tons therein there is generated the hot
winds, that, sweeping up over this and ad-
Joining states create the drouths, or mater
tally aid in their production, which entail
q loss to the western states OF hundreds Of
millions OF dollars aG each visitation. And
the only sure, safe and the most practical
way to counteract the direful results incl
dental to such scourges and impoverish-
ments In North Dakota is to cultivate trees
and to conserve the waters of the state.
Through the full development of trees
where needed in our state and the proper
use of water in the form of irrigation, the
highest status of agricultural pursuits will
be attained. Therefore the best interest OF
our state and its people demand the Office
OF the state superintendent of irrigation
and forestry should not be abolished.
The salary of the state superintendent of
irrigation and forestry is $1,000 a year, and
travelling expenses $500 per year. But the
writer has never received any money for
travelling expenses. which have amounted
to $3.50 annually, leaving a net income of
but $3.50 per year., which has been mate
rally reduced during the last two years,
one item being 5000 incidental to the work
of putting the fish and game business into
successful operation. And my entire time
and attention is given to my official duties, |
and the amount and quality of the work |
meets with the approval of the citizens of
Our state.
Many intelligent men claim there is no !
department of state service in any state of ,
the Union where as large amount Of prac- !
tlcal service is rendered for the money in !
vested as this n of our state. Then why
SHOULD the office be abolished?
There are many schoo!s Of forestry in !
the Old World, and such schools lave been
advocated for years in our nation, but
North Dakota has the proud distinction of ,
having the only school Of forestry in the
Union, or in North or South America.
At the Worlds Columbian fair our for
estry exhibit demonstrated to the world
as our climate and soil give the best
conditions for tree growth, it makes North
Dakota the land of homes. And this Office
should be continued to AID in securing the |
best class of people of the east to come and
assist In developing the rich tree lands of
our state.
A problem confronts us. 1t seems the
most appalling question in the history of
the west, t0-wit: The destruction of the
Russian cactus. 1t has already impover-