The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-03
FORESTRY AS A SCIENCE.
Protection of Timber Areas Essen
tisl to Prevent Fires, Floods ana
Drouth-Whaf Others Do.

Forestry, as q science. has less followers
and less support in a region heavily tim
bered than IN localities devoid Of trees or
only spArseiy timbered. This seeming
paradox Is probably best explained upon
the theory of the gentleman from Arkan-
sas; When II was raining no couldn't re-
pair his roof and when Il wasn't raining
no didn't have to.
This science however. like ell others
based upon truth, reason and experience.
is extremely patient. cts advocates resting
assured that all men not bereft OF reason
VII sooner or later become stesdfast
champions OF this embodiment OF all
trained effort TO preserve and utilize the
forests, one OF natures greatest gifts 10
mankind.
And right here IN the commonwealth of
Washington this science is surely destined
TO play an important part, for We have
many vital problems here which it VIII
help IN solving.
BUT how can that be7' asks some unin-
formed croaker Western Washington
has already an snexhaust1bls supply OF
forest trees and Eastern Washington is
principally a rolling prairie country with
scarcely any trees at all.
The Lesson of Forest Fires.
You are partly right. my friend. and
your way Of looking at IL, added TO the
average lumbermans idea OF immediate
gain. 10 exactly the cause OF hindering the
true work OF forestry. This has been the
case the world over. but there is always
turning place in such logic and the new
conclusion always brings with 1t a revolu-
ton OF thought and action against the old
methods Our forests of Western Wash
angton are by no means inexhaust.ble, and
they present some most urgent problems
at the present moment. Who among you
does not feel the pangs of regret every re-
turning summer when You see, feel and
smell the air laden with waves OF smoke,
which represent the Obstruction OF acres
and acres Of the finest forest trees OF the
world? 40 forestry problems in Western
Washington! Why. the state legislature
could well afford 20 devote a whole session
70 the one problem OF preventing these ter
rife annual forest nres. / VIII admit that
this Is a difficult problem, probably the
most difficult one presented at this mo
ment In Western Washington. But It's
difficulty as no excuse for eupneness.
Minnesota dalled with this same problem
until q who1e valley was destroyed, to-
Eefher with the lives of a number OF her
hardy citizens. This shock was sufficient.
Tho science OF forestry sprang into en-
forced prominence. Laws were enacted.
officers ana men were directed to devise
means 10 prevent such another visitation.
Trees stripped from the places where
rivers take their rise produce annual
floods and drouths. States detecting this
fact take steps TO cure the evil and pre-
vent rs return by creatIng reserves at
SUCH places planting trees thereon and
thus caring for the lives, health and prop
erfv OF tae people Tire national govern
ment S. helping In th.s matter By making
extensive forest reserves IN uuoccupisd
mountain regions where so many rivers
| rise. The national and state governments
| could we'll aff0ra 70 cooperate 1n patroltng
and protecting these and ether reserves
durng the dangerous months OF summer
Tlls is a unique and useful occupation FOR
the otherwise unemployed soldiers.
management OF Forests.
Iumberuen are ira the habIt Of harvest
Ing the.r crop If logs in such way mat
tine forest - ruined and one crop !s ali
There Is 10 IT, Ike the bee hunter. who
finds the hive cuts down the tree. sUck es
the swarm. fills Ills buckets wi-A honey
and hunts for another. Tus problem Of
scientific management Of forests is the
/ greatest of aa gae problems. fer il really
embraces al t1e Others. ocaer uaEons
| have solved this problem; st.E o-Acrs ars
/ struggling witn 10. and the TnsGad States
/ - already feeling - way oy tnVes "a ing
/ Ks darker re -ssses. Germany mas 50
4 completely slived this problem OF a ra-
\ ttoaal harvest cf Tie tree crop rhat one 81
/ beg sEents. sent here a fcw years ago %
/ investigate ,ae lumber iuius,r-ts. proph-
! es.ea THAI .t wou,d not BE a great length
+ cs t1l-. a- -2r present rate 81 destruction
( IN tr-s eountry ana ot projection Ia Gar
/ many. before ae Jm d states would -
/ importing w97a sna erla.s from Germany.
| The Culture or Trees.
! Eastern as1-rE.1n presents al the
/ prob e-ns of Tree ruitlre. study shou.3
Be made as 10 sae Kinds Of trees -aat viii
( suecael taere 9es-, ard The planning az