The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-04
PASSING OF THE FapBSvS
Majestic Trees Falling in Path
Of National Progress
Their Preservation n Problem De-
handing Prompt Attention-pinn-
Aire"dy Under Way to Arrest the
Ravages of Wan Upon Nature.
Gifts-Practieni Work Beius Done.

Whether the end OF the incoming CEN
fury will find this country possessed Of a
sufficient number OF trees to meet the de-
mands that the progress OF events within
the hundred coming years viii necessitate
may from the present standpoint be re-
garded with some doubt There are har,s.
ly enough trees now within the limits Of
| civilization. devotees to forestry declare.
to meet every necessity In sight.
! Sturdy oaks. majestic pines. silvery- leaf
poplars. fir trees. and all that come within
the range of commercial lumber have with
in the past fifty years been felled in great
numbers. They have fallen beneath the
ak OF the pioneer the ravages OF time
and the sweeping deyastatI0ns Of forest
fires, until the trees of America stand to-
Day like the remnants Of a grand army
after a battle In which the disasters OF
victorious legious pale the triumph Of con-
| querors
Systematic, constant. and practical nurs-
ing is the one thing to preserve the for
ests Of this great land from decay, and for
this reason the Government is becoming
at last wide awake to the necessities OF
the period
Consequently the report OF Clifford Pin
ehot. the Forester az the Agricultural De-
partment concerning the work Of that d.
vision of the department during the past
fiscal year is of more than ordinary inter-
est to all persons who believe in the pres
ervation and right use of forests In Ameri-
ca. During the year. it is stated that the
operations of the division have largely con-
al fAd Nf Hald
been given to practical and paying fores-
try. Important notifications in practical
methods Of lumbe rim, have been suggested
by the division aB1 introduced by private
owners on a large scale with marked sue
cess.
Among the results of the work of the
yea rit Is also mentioned that forest fires
nave been studied both historically among
newspapers and other records and at some
length in eight States in the field and re-
suits of Importance have been reached and
will be published within the year Studies
of the growth and reproduction or FIVE isl-
portant timber trees have been begun with
the idea of determining whether il will
pay to hold timber land bearing these
trees for second crop and pay taxes. It
is expected that the results for one species
at least will be ready for publication dur
ing the present year. series of careful
studies of numbering, and of the
progress of forestry In the different States
and in the country at large. has been I'M
The forest history OF one state
is practically completed and much addi
tional material has been gathered. plan
Tor systematic contributions to the kncwl-
edge Of North American forests has been
ievised. and has already yielded very valu
able results"
The work Of the division at present Is
assigned TO four sections. These are the
section Of working plans, In charge of
Henry s. Graves, Superintendent of Work
ing Plans. to which all practical work in
The woods is assigned; that of economic
rec planting. in charge of James w: Tou-
mey. Superintendent OF Tree Planting,
whose function is sufficiently indicated by
is name: that OF special investigation, in
barge Of George b. Sudworth. Dendrolo-
sist dealing with the habits and charac-
eristics of trees which affect their use in
forestry. and that of office work,
n charge OF OFT J. J. Luebkert. head clerk.
Beyond a doubt the preservation of the
treat forest areas of America Is a stupen-
lous problem. The present generation
nay not strike at the root Of II. but Keen
interest for the protection OF trees in the
Adirondacks. in the wilds Of Oregon, in
he areas of the State OF Washington. and
throughout the entire border land Of the
treat northwestern territory has been
reused and its influence is spreading.