The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-12-12
STATE FORESTS.
Geologist Gifford's Report
on Those of South
Jersey.
PLANTING WOOD ON THE DELAWARE
Climatic Conditions Favorable to
the Growth OF Trees-Against
Foreign Importations.
PLANTING WOOD ON THE DELAWARE

VtCiS lulPUlldtlUuSs
The Geological Survey of this State
has had John Clifford working on the
Forest Conditions of South Jersey"
His preliminary report is found in the
annual report of the State Geoiogist,
just issued. He gives the following ac-
count Of has been accomplished up
to the time the report was nade:-
Forestry work in South Jersey began
the first of July, 1894. During the
five months of field work up to January.
1895, the forest conditions of the Southern
interior. which comprises all of Atlantic
and Ocean and large parts OF Burling-
ton. Cape May and Cumberland counties,
have been studied. The causes, effects
and prevention of forest fires and the eff
fects of drifting sands along our coast
have been noted. Savanna lands have
been located and examined, and expert
ments are in operation by watch ws hope
to show the influence Ut foTysts on our
local climate. The peculiar territory
known as the Plains, has been studied
and mapped. Every effort has been
made to arouse interest in forestry, look
ing to the revival of the lumber indus
try and the establishment of other in
dustries dependent upon forest pro-
ducts.
4 line drawn nou
fsordan+on,n ao,na.s
State into North and South Jersey. An
80. s,..ions plalon 70 oa,ei
truo natrrss 80, 10y !.
omnrisinn re- 81
comprising tne mar oeit ana anuVlai
lands along the Delaware, the other the
Cyat,tbn,.nE otoo~;1 -. caI+ M --l
booaho,
beaches,
since the soil is davotad RI agr;o,,,+ura
IIaao
mere anu laene are protecteo wooo lois.
Soil il noorest is ! va1,,se,ae adaition 70
49, forn ~ ~. a.,. sSs-s.eS -
any lain. - Hoe ohiy improves the SOL,
retains the moisture and furnishes fuel,
lumber and other minor products. but 1t
lessens in mo nv wavs The dastrr,or,,o
ie sseAs - lAas Ways ene destructive
become evenly distributed In well-cared-
for patches over all the country and are
e,,,a-r - osso.. ess - - -"
neglected woods.
The territory known as the Southern
In+arior ;s AZ mat, ,,haat -. :.
me- c"e ipa.n supject tnis re-
port. Inc 1ertlie farm land OF the mari
belt abruptly ends and a, wooded, sparse
~ ;nhahifed raeion with nao,rtar nnvs,-
al conaitions haoins M $50 80
"a coHuitlolis peslns. Inc nature OF the
forests of at least a part of he Southern
Interior concerns the farmers of the
| mari region becaa,sa MANY of the straar s
- 60
WHICH no" py 1neW FARMS 10 1ne Deia-
ware rise in its boys and swamps.
In regard 10 inc CONDITIONS existing In
he Southern Tpter,or Mr. Girord savs-
sorma tton T1f rock have m,,cb y, do wis
he ree,,iisr forest conditions Of + "t1s
seIythern Interior- The climase. and : !
| large percenfaee of the soil Of This rep
| on ara "a v,orssIhle to fnresf erowtb 4
| Iieht moist soiI with no aTdnan near
| he surface is better adapted to syIyi-
| culture.
Light. sandy soil require a forest cover
to prevent shifting, to retard the flow
of water and to improve their condition.
not an exhaustive influence. With the
animal mulch inorganic substances from
on the surface. The forest cover. in.
| Guiding the underbrushf and heritage, pre-
| the surface soils.
able to tree growth. OF course the eff
| fects OF cold Increase as the mercury de
ssenas, but the effect q 2 d ha Ten of :
sang,e d nsere "a a. r az neal srout the th zero pom M
.d mnaiH ia s,lnno oe 5fee T frow effec taan Of ~ fro Of,
BROW with remarkanle raRi,dlty IN part o.
Lne soueiern imuelloa. ans WIZ odh'
wnicn - usuany assoGiaseo Win rica,
neaVy SOILS, grows wen IN Jersey sanu.
Clumps OF virgin forest mere and there
that the forest growth was once magni-
icent.
Ship building was for many years ar
important industry. Timbers hewn from
Jersey pine are famous for their dura-
| ern pine. Several schooners were tim
| hered with Jersey beart-nine in 18ei
whose frames are stiil soma Enormous
n,1antities Of charcoal were used in the
nnaan,,fact,ra If from from hne IRE Tord.
Mooa = SUI e~ add Sr;y p u py Ioea,
giass iaco rrn Ia adIc1hyalu s' niu sohnnn
corus arS IN carflsu W sniaAi sciooh
eIS ~ neiSuooI his Sieiee -
Inc prlnclpai ana not the increnenl,
has been cut and Dgrnt, n IN spite o.
the system OF cutting Judicious ana the
growing OF wood and other products OF
| the forest would pay. In fact, up to
| recent years, the leading industries de-
pended upon the woods.
| the shore and along railroads and narf-
| gable rivers. the Southern Interior is
| Still &. wooded country. only a small per-
centage of which. however. is worthy
Of the name of forest" n Ocean and
about sS5 SQUARE miles which seems
hopeless for; profitable cultivation Of
trees bv Individuals. It includes how
| ever. an important part of the water
shed Of South Jersey. and feeds hun
dreds of branches which how in all
soJi - hooyy, foroesf osos1ntb