The evening times., 1899-12-18

tiOn of the Wo0ds-value of the
Pines of North Carolina and the
Red Firs Of WashinstOn state.
The report of Clifford Pinchot, Forester
| Of the Department of Agriculture for the
| fiscal year ended June 80, 1899, states that
| the most important facts to be reported in
| relation to the work of the Division of For
estry during the year are an entire re-
organization OF the work of the division,
the introduction of practical and paying
forestry among lumbermen on a large scale.
extensive investigations in tree planting,
preparatory to work with tree planters, and
| the widespread interest and cooperation in
| the work, especially among lumbermen.
The action Of the redwood lumbermen Of
San Francisco who voted to subscribe ST.,
900 and offered free transportation and free
| subsistence in their camps to the agents
OF the division, so as to advance by one
year the time when the division, delayed
by lack Of funds. could begin work on the
growth and reproduction of the redwood, is
cited as a striking instance Of this CO.
| operation.
Owing to the lack of means many de-
mands made for work of great importance
| TO the preservation and proper use Of for
ests In the United States cannot be COM
piled with. 1t is earnestly hoped by the
Forester that appropriations may be so in
creased as to enable the division to take
! advantage OF the unprecedented opportuni-
| ties created by the rapid public awakening
to the meaning and value OF practical for
estry.
Waste In High Stumps.
With view of bringing about the sub
stitution of conservative for destructive
! methods a circular was issued last October
| offering advice and practical assistance to
| farmers. lumbarmen. and others In handling
their forest lands. In reply 10 thisopffer.
applications were received from l23 owners
| in thirty-fye States for the management
| Of 1896, ,215 acres, the remainder being for
woodlots. Personal attention on the ground
| was given TO forty-one tracts. covering
about 100000 acres in nineteen States.
The owners OF majority of these tracts
were able 10 carry out the working plans
| without personal assistance, but fifteen re-
Quired the active participation of the divi-
sion. On two Of these comprising 10S, 900
acres the first years work has been sue
cessfuily completed and the second years
work is being pursued under very favora-
| Bile conditions.
A calculation based on exact measure
ments Of the amount Of lumber wasted by
the prevailing practice of cutting high
spruce stumps in the Adiron6acks led to q
decided change for the better on the tracts
just mentioned. and at the same time a
marked reduction in the amount OF young
for hti1d xI,t
about. These. changes are important.
A special study has been made OF the
growth and production OF spruce on the
eastern side of the Adirondacks and OF
! birch and maple on the western slope. OF
the total amount of land submitted to the
| division for working plans. about 200, 600
acres have not been examined. During the
ensuing year these tracts will be considered
as fast as the force OF the division will per-
nit, and working plans will be made for
selected number.
Five species of commercially valuable
trees have been studied during the year TO
determine their rate of growth and to ac-
certain their special qualities in forestry.
The more important of these studies relate
10 the loblolly pine in North Carolina. a
tree of the first economic Importance. and
the red fir In Washington also called Doug
las FIR. yellow fir. Oregon pine, etc. one of
the most valuable and widely distributed
trees of the world. These studies have met
with the cordial approval of lumbermen,
and much practical assistance has been re-
ceived from them.
The Progress in study.
Experimental tree planting in eo-opera-
| ton with State agricultural experiment sta
tions has been entirely discontinued. and
the plantations have been turned over TO
the stations, and they have assumed re-
sponsibility for them.
In place OF experimental tree planting
the division has begun careful study of
the results of the planting already done,
and is giving practical assistance to tree
planters under the terms Of an offer simi-
lar to that made to forest owners.
The work OF the present year will be
largely deroted to giving practical assist
ance to tree planters in the selection of
the right trees to plant and in planting
them rightly. and in an attempt to de-
termine in definite figures the true effect
OF bare and wooded or brush-covered
slopes on the run of of streams.
Forest fires have been studied histori-
cally and in the field, and important re-
suits have been reached which will be pub
lished within the year. Field work has
been prosecuted in seven States and rec
ords OF more than 5000 fires have been
compiled and classified
Studies of North American forests by
experts with special knowledge OF definite
localities are in progress. and it is ex-
pected that these will be completed during
the winter. The progress In forestry in
New York. New Jersey. Massachusetts,,
and other States is being studied histori-
cally.
Much material has been collected foR
general account Of the progress OF forestry
in the United States and Of the practical
application of conservative forest treat
ment I'D to the present time.
A system for a Photographic forest de-
scription Of the United States has been
worked out. and the collection is well un-
der way.
Extensi0n OF West Virginia Central.
CUMBERLAND, Nd, Dee. Ex-senator
Stephen B. Elkins has obtained charter
for the Coal and Iron Railway Company to
of ho Eiru;p