Omaha daily bee., 1898-09-11
FORESTRY AS A SCIENCE
Members of the National Association Have
This Phase Under Discussion.
INSECT ENEMIES OF GROWING TREES
Prof. Bruner Tells How Standing Tim
Der Suffers and How il May BE
Helped-Edect of Deforesti-
zation on Water supply.

The delegates 10 the forestry association
assembled promptly Saturday and the
work Of the program was taken up at once
with paper by Prof. Lawrence Bruner OF
the University OF Nebraska on the insects
which are the enemies OF forest trees, He
mentioned the number OF varieties OF in
sects which are TO be classed as enemies 10
trees, which was so large as to be almost
appalling. These enemies may be scarce
one year and numerous the next. During
the last few years some of the Nebraska
trees have suffered from the work Of in
sects, not that they have been rare in the
state but because the conditions have not
heretofore been favorable. No insect pro-
duces less than one brood in a year and
some produce three or four The most
destructive are the borers, OF which there
are several classes. He mentioned the work
OF these in block pavements, where they
bore in, followed by fungus growth, which
in few years destroys the pavement for
two or three yards square.
In a single year, he said, insects have been
known to destroy hundreds OF miles Of fine
forest trees. They attack the tree from the
seed 10 the time the lumber is manufactured,
following it in every stage. As remedies for
the insects there are artificial and natural
means. The latter are classed as other in
sects and birds, which destroy those insects
working on the trees. Nearly every Ne
braska bird feeds on insects. Where birds
are there is little damage from insects. He
mentioned the different birds and told how
they work 10 get at the insects, each class
having its own method. He thought II the
birds were protected trouble from insects
would disappear. The quail is the most val
liable bird We have, as 1t lives on chinCh
bugs and beetles, while the English sparrow
does more harm than good. Mr.. Bruner then
mentioned some OF the artificial means 10
destroy insects such as sprays, and explained
the difficulties and effects OF their use.
Forestry and Rainfall.
Henry Nicholson Of Colorado read a paper
on the connection OF forestry with irriga-
tion. Devastation OF forests, he said, where
there is no irrigation, has caused much OF
the arid region which now exists, and he
cited steps taken in Europe to overcome this
effect by conservation OF forests Wherever
the mountains have been cut bare OF trees
it is useless for the farmer in the plains 10
hope for water during the growing season,
as the snow Of the mountains, deprived OF
its protection OF trees. melts rapidly and the
moisture is dissipated. There are 5000 900
acres IN NEBRASKA depending on irrigation,
and the Platte river would carry sufficient
water for this purpose were its source OF sup
ply protected by mountain forests. Irr!ga-
tiou farmers should be taught that If they
wish abun lance Of water they must see TO it
that the trees at the source OF supply should
be protected.
DR.. Miller inquired If it is considered prac-
ticable for the government to attempt 20 re-
forest the country, and DR.. Newell Of Wash
ington replied that congress will DO what the
people demand. The sentiment in the east.
he said, is strongly in favor Of forestry, and
II the people OF the west, who are more
vtally interested, show the same interest,
the government can be induced TO take hold
OF the project
A resolution was introduced by W. T. Lit
tie OF Oklahoma and adopted calling on con-
gress 70 create a commission 10 investigate
the feasibility OF establishing forest wind
breaks on the plains OF New Mexico, Texas,
Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, Nebraska and
the two Dakotas.
S. u, Emery OF Montana presented a