The San Francisco call., 1895-12-22

the Yosemite Valley, who entered it in the
spring of 1851 with the first party of white
men who ever saw it, in his description of
its condition, drawn from observation that
extended into June of that year, says:
I'm going up and down new objects were
continually presenting themselves to our
view as there was no underbrush. The
Azelea occidentalis and other rare and frag-
rant flowers and shrubs were found in great
abundance among the rocks and debris and
on the tables above the curious crimson
Sarcodes sanguinea, springing from its bed
OF snow. There was a great variety of
evergreen and deciduous trees, planted by
underground was kept down by annual
fires while the ground was yet moist
the valley at the time of discov-
cry presented the appearance of a
well-kept park. There was nothing in
those days to mar the beauty of our sur
roundings, and while waiting in the valley
or exploring the high Sierras the robust
lover of nature had many sources of enjoy
ment. We never had company or bat
TALON drill, but unless we exercised our
animals freely they would not acknowl-
edge our mastery over them. There was
then but little underground in the park
like valley, and a half days work in lop-
ping off branches along the course enabled
us to speed our horses uninterrupted
III. J. Ostrander says of the Yosemite as
first seen by him third of century ago: j:
81 stood spellbound on 'Inspiration Rock
looking down from height of 5000 feet
into the Yosemite Valley, and that view
was indelibly impressed upon my mind.
Then the uncivilized Indians were the
commissioners and guardians of the val
ley. And the windings OF the beautiful,
clear Merced River could be traced for
miles up the valley, until lost to sight at
the base of Cathedral Rocks At that
time in the graceful bends nestled beauti-
full meadows. Outside of the meadows,
noble pines, Douglas frs and cedars dotted
the valley. No underbrush, cottonwood
nor second growth pines and frs to OBJ
struct the view of the marvellous walls of
the valley. 1t may be asked why was this?
Because the indians burned the floor of
the valley over each year, so that they
could better hunt the game. The same
practice was also followed through the
whole range OF the Sierras for the same
purpose"
This testimony as to primitive conditions
of our American forests covers 275 years of
time, and in territory spans the continent
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. In every
European country that has awakened to
the necessity of forest preservation there
is an approximation to the method Of our
Indians. II we are to preserve what is left
to us we must go to the red men. also,
study his ways and be wise. The forests
of the Yosemite are choked with under
scrub and continuous thickets, and in
every dry season danger broods over the
wonder OF the world. The valleys walls
are no longer visible from its floor. The
azaleas, originally living in the rocks of
the talus which fringes the valley. offer
their testimony to the invasion of its floor,
for they are now abundant on the level.
The oak trees, crowded by the dense
growth which saps their nourishment.
have died and are dying by scores, dis
figured by parasites and fungi which feed
on their decay. Not only does the under
wood stand like a torch ready fer
the match, but the fallen leaves
have been added to annually, until
in places the accumulated duff is two feet