The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-05
PROTECT THE FORESTS.

0NE of the most important matters Of legisla-
/ | J ton this winter is some measure for defense
OF California forests against fire. When one
reflects upon the range and variety OF interests de-
pendent on our forests, the subject assumes inn
pressive magnitude The numbering interest may be
temporary here, it has been in Michigan, Wiscon-
sin and Minnesota, it may be made permanent
interest by treating timber as crop which may be
harvested and grown Agriculture and horticulture
and mining depend on the conservation of moisture
by preserving the forest shelter OF the mountain
slopes and plateaus Without irrigation Our raisn
product and most OF our orange output will be lost
The rasin must be grown in a naturally arid region
where the heat and dryness add sugar to the grape
and dry it to raisn in the open air The frutfuness
of the vine requires in such situation ample irriga-
ton. The whole crop OF this State depends on rri-
cation, and without il would not grow enough
rasins to pay for shipping to market The same is
OF the orange It must have sun and dry air and
enough moisture at the to make up for evapora-
ton from the foliage. Without this the fruit is small
and the rnd thickens. Other important field mad
forage crops require irrigation. The mountain for
ests the water reservoir of the State Destroyed
al the rate at which they now being consumed by
fire. that reservoir will disappear; the soil will
wash off its rock foundation, and when rain
falls or snow thaws water will come down in ire
sisble torrents instead OF going into the shaded soil
descend slowly into its natural channels and reach
the rrigator in such volume and such season as
most useful TO him.
The miner depends upon the same resource, for
water for his steam electric power and for running
stamp mills, washing gravel and in every essential
process OF his industry.
Finally, the climate itself priced possession Of Cali
fornia depends materially upon the preservation OF
the forests.
1t is to be hoped that the two universities will add
to their colleges college of forestry. Cornell has
done this and has placed at the head OF Dr. Fer
now long the head OF the forestry division of the
Department OF Agriculture at Washington. The
State of New York has acquired 10000 acres of for
the Adirondacks for the purposes OF this col
lege OF forestry.
California has greater wealth and greater stake
in her forests than all the rest of the Union combined
If the universities found schools OF forestry their
classes will be sought by young men who have
taste for this most interesting pursuit II the State
provide organization for policing the forests in the
summer season it should be required that the students
OF forestry in the universities shall have the preference
in that employment Then will be opened way to
the forests to aid the study required and help
the many young who energetically work their way
through the university. At Berkeley there is a stu
dents woodward, by cooperation OF students
who have to pay their way as they go. They buy
wood, saw and peddle it From such material as that
the State could enlist its forest police help students
and prevent the vast and destructive summer fires
The young would acquire valuable practical
knowledge in botany, dendrology and geology lines
OF learning necessary in scientific forestry, and
would have well-equipped army OF trained oresters
sufficient in number to oversee whole forest area
introduce economic methods into the timber harvest
preserve the onconng crop and preside usefuly
the great interests OF the miner the lunberan the
horticulturst and the agriculturist.
By this plan the forest policy OF the State would be
administered without making it part OF political
machine. It's continuity OF policy would be unbroken
and every dollar spent in it would bring a dollars
worth OF benefit with compound interest.
1t would be we'll if the Legislature could have the
benefit of counsel with the authorities of the univer
sites this subject They both have botanical and
agricultural departments and professors who very
competent to advise. The Miners Association, State
Board OF Trade and Sierra Club have already taken
some action in the premises and doubtless have ideas
and information that would aid to legislative con-
clusion The organizations of fruit growers and
dealers and the lumber interests should join with
these and see it that at least beginning is made
during the present session