The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-06-26
"ARE WE UNWITTINGLY
STROYING A STATE?"

On the 22d instant the Record
Union" referring to detailed statements
made Of observations in Northern Cali
fornia and parts of Oregon of the reck-
less destruction of forests, expressed
satisfaction that there is an awakening
upon this subject Of the denudation OF
our mountain tanks. AS was there
stated, the Record Union ever since
1872 has been more than dilligent in
warning the people of the inevitable, If
the process of indiscriminate deforesti-
cation continued
We then called attention for the hun
dredth time to the effect of decreasing
upon water fall. drainage. flood and
low water conditions of streams, eli
matte temperature, and resultant eff
fects upon agriculture. Attention was
also called to the experience of Europe
in the matter Of reckless timber de-
struction, and to the notable report OF
Franklin B. Hough, in 1877, who was
sent out by our Government to study
the forestry question in Europe; and
also to the commendable steps taken in
New York State a few years ago to pre-
serve the Adirondack forests from de-
struction.
These matters, each and all, consti-
tute texts Of the utmost fullness and
suggestiveness for pursuit of studies
along forestry lines. 1t is very crafty
ing to note that some Of the press is
aroused to the high Importance of such
matters, and that they are entering up
on campaign Of education concerning
them. out Of which we may hope for
such definite and prompt action as will
avert impending evils
In another column we reprint from
the San Francisco Evening Post" an
article upon the subject, based upon the
came observations spoken of in these
columns on the 22d instant. Our San
Francisco contemporary entities its
treatment OF the subject with q most
significant question: Are we unwit-
tingly Destroying q Slater"
Reading of the quoted article is In
vited because 1t simply. but intelligent
~ and clearly covers the whole sub
5ect, and while remedies are not pro-
posed they are so obvious as to be I'M
necessary. But the value of the article
resides largely In the very clear ex-
PLANTATION Of the reasons why denuding
mountain TANKS by fire, the ak, band
saw and the depredations Of stock pro-
duces effects which threaten the very
existence Of valley sections.
The education of the public mind up
on such subjects as these involves much
time. Evils apparently distant are not
feared, as a rule, by the great body OF
the public. There seems need OF immi-
nent danger to arouse the American
people to strong action. We are pc
culiarly prone in our pursuit of the dol
lar in the present, to procrastinate In
such matters, and nowhere more sc
than in this favored State, where there
is so little apparent necessity for q
struggle with nature. Here she is sc
generous in her bounty, so mild and
gentle in her methods that more thar
in amy other part of our common coun-
try we are apt to dwell In fancied Sc
curity, while great evils threaten US.
So it is that despite all efforts made
to arouse the public mind to the mo-
mento1s Importance of the forestry
question, despite the reports made te
the Legislature, session after session;
to the fugitive and ineffective legisla-
ton had; and to the more satisfactory
action Of the Federal Government ir
attempts to prevent indiscriminate de-
mutation of the forested slopes, tht
California public has not risen to ap-
probation Of the danger threatening
the very existence of the State
Yet that danger is present, and wller
It becomes physical realization it viii
burst upon us with startling sudden
ness. All forestry history proves this
The evil proceeds slowly in its expand.
ing and gathering force. but 1t vii
swoop down upon us some day with