Graham guardian., 1901-03-15
AMERICAN FORESTRY
Splendid Exhibit Planned for the
Buffalo Exposition.
Interesting Features OF the worn
Performed By the Government
s-IntsAdsd a. . Lesson Ter
the People.

Forestry will receive special atten-
ton at the Pan-American exposition
to be held in Buffalo next year. Tho
exhibit will contain much that is inter-
esting and beneficial to the general
public, description Of which will H.
lustrate the great scope and broad
lines upon which ths exposition is
founded.
The propagation. care and preserva-
tion Of forests has received great deal
of attention from the United States
government of late years. The United
States division Of forestry under Gif-
| ford Pinchot has made an unusually
| generous offer 70 all farmers or persons
wishing to improve forests or plant
wood lots. An expert will be sent
| upon application, at the expense of the
| government, who will make an examin-
alton Of the soil, climatic and atmos-
pheric conditions, after which he
draws up plan for planting. He also
instructs the farmer and his neighbors
| so far as possible in the elements of
forestry. In the main this takes up
the question Of the proper kinds to
plant in particular soil and locality,
the manner of planting and proper
care of the trees until they attain ma
turity, says the official bulletin.
Particular attention has been given
TO the treeless regions of the middle
west, especially to parts of Kansas.
Farmers throughout that section rec
ognize the value Of wood lots as source
of supply for fence posts and fuel, as
well as the benefits Of protection from
storms which is afforded by tree belts,
when grown for wind breaks.
The necessity has been brought
home TO them by deprivation. accentu-
lived in one of the eastern states, when.
In their younger days, timber was con-
sidered nuisance to be gotten rid OF
with. the least possible delay and ex-
psn@, They do not, however, appreci-
stsSxbe. scientific advantages to the
couA$ry1St large, of proper forest infiu-
encef which results in protection
against floods in spring and droughts
In summer. The exhibit will take up
che broad question Of forest preserva-
ton, embracing the great national ben
eft TO be bequeathed to future genera
tions, by moistened atmosphere,
which in turn will provide regular, CO.
pious rainfall.
One of the most interesting features
will be an illustration Of the manner
fn which the mat of fallen leaves which
covers the ground in the forest absorbs
the rain as it falls, instead of permit
ting it to course down the hillside, to
5oin the brook which helps to swell the
river to overfiowing.
Distribution of moisture will be made
plain, as the work is done in the great
hemical laboratory Of nature. How
the wet surface of leaves operates as an
air tight covering to prevent undue
evaporation, while the myriads of tiny
tree rootlets take up the water as it
into the soil, from whence it is raised by
. mysterious capillary force, through
Che trunk and branches to the leaves
where it is given off in the form Of va
por through Transportation, to be once
more precipitated to the earth in the
shower or dew that waters the growing
crop.
The great Importance of forest pres
ervation in the United States is not ap-
preciated by the general public. That
the sentiment is growing is exe1npli-
fed in the creation of forestry depart
ments in our great universities.
For more than a century the natural
forests have been cut and destroyed un-
ill in many parts Of the country the
people are brought face to face with
one 81 the greatest problems that ever |
them. This problem, in its |
involves not only the sup
ply of building material, pulp wood for |
the manufacture of the largest amount |
of paper required by any country and |
the millions of other articles, both large |
and small, that are manufactured or de-
rived from wood, but il includes the |
question of soil fertility, upon which |
depends both individual and national |
existence.
India's famine is terrible illustra-
tion of the great danger that confronts
. people whose lands are stripped Of
their natural forest growth. The dam
ger may be exaggerated and is prob.
.bly remote, but the underlying prin-
siple is there.
The forestry exhibit at the PAN
American exposition will be housed in
which of itself will be an in
~ L
lral resources to draw from, and the
advanced knowledge Of forestry as a
lelp, il is the intention 70 make this
he most interesting and practical for
'stry exhibit ever brought together.
And Here Comes the Auto-sIed.