The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-17
Land Rich in Resources
CONTINUED from second page.)

have a water supply sufficient to de-
velop ample power for manufa nturinS
purposes. When the Investigations have
been carried on few years longer, so as
to include, beyond any question, the dry
est possible seasons, the records viii
be sufficiently complete to furnish such
information as may be demanded by the
most cautious investors along this line.
From time to time during the past two
years the survey has published informal
ton concerning our larger water-powers
in a number of papers, and in this way
has distributed widely information con-
corning them. Already, since our work
was begun, more than a million dollars
have been invested in the development
of these water-pOwers.
FOREST INVESTIGATIONS.
Early in our investigations of the tim
Der resources of the State, it became APP
parent that these resources were being
wasted far more rapidly than they were
being utilized or developed by the peo-
pie of the State; the most destructive
agent in this waste being forest fires.
We found, Furthermore, that no effort
looking to the reproduction or perpetual
ton of our timber resources, and hence,
that at the present rate of destruction it
could only be a matter of limited time
when our timber resources would be a
thing of the past Consequently, it has
been the policy of the survey in this
work, that while advertising and
aiding the legitimate development of
our resources in this direction, we have
by the publication of our reports and by
frequent contributions to the press of
the State, endeavored to call the atten-
tion of our people to this reckless and
unnecessary destruction of our forests.
l am glad to be able to report that we
are now beginning to see some of our
largest lumbermen in the State are be-
ginning to realize the danger of contin-
uing the present destructive methods.
and are jo ming together to put a stop
to the careless cutting of timber, and
thereby the destruction Of the younger
growth. In addition to the destruction
through forest fires, they are coming to
realize the very large amount of damage
done to our forests by the running at
large of cattle and hogs, especially in
the pine region of the eastern counties.
Another result of this educational cam
paign has been the recent organization
of the North Carolina Forestry Associa-
ton, wnich will in the future aid in
bringing about better forest manage
ment, for which the survey has been
laboring.
The forestry investigations have been
carried on mainly by Mr. w. w. Ashe,
of the survey. During January, 1897,
the first of the series of economic papers
relating to the maple sugar industry of
the North, was finished and seen through
the press. Later. bulletin No. went to
tine printer. and as some of the plates
necessary to illustrate the description of
the trees, by Mr.. Pinchet, had not been
secured, they were gotten, partly dur
ing April and partly later. One of the
series of economic papers was also pre-
pared on the preservation of timber
treating of the causes which lead to it's
decay, and a summary of the general
precautions which may enable wood to
resist rot and thus prolong its useful
ness.
Sets of specimens, in the State Mu-
scum, representing in part the medici-
nal plants of the State, were also provis-
ionally arranged so as to be accessible
for reference. Most of this material
was also labeled and a preparatory
study was begun for the work on the
medicinal and other useful forest herbs
of North Carolina, as among the forest
by-products. The Importance of this
work will be more readily realized when
we bear in mind the fact that the sale
of those herbs brings into the State,
yearly, more than 100000.
Mr.. Ashe also has in preparation an
other paper, giving general information
in regard to the care of woodlands, espe-
cially applicable to the pine woodlands
in the southeastern counties in this
State, and another on the choice and
care of shade trees for streets, public
parks and private grounds.
WORK IN WESTERN COUNTIES.
AS representing part of the work of
the Un4ted States Geological Survey in
North Carolina, cooperating with the
State Survey, Mr.. Arthur Keith, one of
the biologists of the United States Geo
logical Survey, has been for the past sew
eral years assigned to work in North Car
DINA, in the western counties, these be-
ing the only counties of which accurate
are III eAISLellCG.
ing the past year Mr.. Keith has been do
ing work in structural and economic ge-
ology in Watauga, Burke, Caldwell,
Mitche4, Mcdowell, Yancey, Buncombe,
Cherokee, Macon, Graham and Clay
counties. In Mcdowell, Yancey and
Buncombe counties new areas were sur
veyed by him, while in the other counties
mentioned the work which was begun
during the past few years was continued,
additional facts having been discovered.
Mr. Keith has examined especially the
iron ore deposits in Mitchell and Nc
Dowell counties; the marble deposits in
Mcdowell and Cherokee; the tale depos-
hts in Swain, Macon and Cherokee, and
other lesser mineral deposits in the sew
eraL counties. He has now in prepara-
ton report on the structural and econ
omic geology of the Cherokee region, and
another on the geology of the cranberry
region.
TOPOGRAPHIC WORK.