The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-22
Trees OF pennsylvania
Furnished the Subject Of DR.. Roth
rock's Discourse Last Night.
HIS FLEA FOR THE FORESTS
Says That the Woodlands Render IucaI.
culable Service-ReceptiOn Was Ten
dercd to Him Afterwards in Y. VI.
c. 4. ParlOrs by Board OF Trade.

DR.. ]. II. Rothrock. state forestry
commissioner. lectured in Young Mems
Christian Association nall last evening
on Beautiful Pennsylvania" he had
n large audience OF the cultured persons
of the city. and his subject was elo-
quently set forth. the Introduction of
photographic StereOpticon Views SerV-
Ing 10 add an entertaining feature.
After the lecture DR.. Rothrock mingled
with the members of the board of trade
in the right parlor of the rooms. by
whom he was rendered Il reception.
A.W. Dickson introduced the speaker.
DR.. Rothrock was suffering from
heavy cold and hOarseness interfered to
Il certain extent with his delivery. IL
was apparent that he was laboring un-
der "a severe strain, but notwithstand-
ing. he kept right on and the frequent
applause which greeted him proved how
well he was enjoyed.
Forestry, he said. Is II question that
concerns the preservation of the com
monwealth, and ii is one that COM
mcndS itself to the intelligence of the
people The first scene represented an
arid and stony section of Arizona. tree
less and without any vegetation. Othrr
views of Arizona's sterile soil were pro-
duced. and then in contrast We're shown
representations of agricultural sections
Of Pennsylvania.
viii Utilize the Power OF the Waves.
DR.. Rothrock prophesied that the time
will come and it will be within the life
of some who were listening to hinf.
when the power of the waves when
break upon the Atlantic seaboard VIII
be utilized for many purposes: AS an
illustration he said that only 400 species
of plant life of the 10000 in existence
are used by man now. The time Will
come when all of these species Will be
used. So it is with other things.
He went on to show that the more tne
trees of the fores; are cut down the
greater the floods in time of rainfall
Let a basket of dry leaves from the
woods be gathered in the fall and LETT
out in the oDen weather until spring
the weight of them will then be three
times as great This is from the water
that the leaves take up and retain.
Six counties of the state in one year
expended 81. 100000 to rebuild bridges
which floods swept away. Each year
between 1000 900 and 100000 acres OF
land are cleared of timber growth, and
as a consequence there is the amount OF
water less which would be retained by
the trees for seasons of drought
Clinton County Illustrations.
He gave an illustration of a valley in
Clinton county, through Wnich he Hiaue
two trips: one was after flood in the
snring. and the other was in the sum
mer, when he could not find single
place to water his horse. There were
no trees on the hills ana that was the
secret Of the flood. for there was not
any resistance to the progress of the
flood.
There is no W. L between the lumber
man and DR.. Rothrock; while he argues
fO,. the preservation of the forest. his
complaint is against the wretch who
starts forest fires. The English oak
trees made her mistress Of the seas. but
England could never grow nor never
will be able to grow oak trees equal to
those in Pennsylvania. There is a belt
of land in Pike county which surpasses
the AdirondackS.
Year after year $l,O00,0O0 worth of
timber goes up in smoke from forest
fires. DR.. Rothrock. with great empha-
sis. denounced the miscreants who are
guilty of this crime and advocated that
they be brought TO justice.
After the lecture he received the
many present who We're anxious to
meet him and shake his hand.