Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-05-03
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS
FACTS AND OPINIONS GATHERED
FROM CONTEMPORARIES
The LATEST CONSTELLATION PRoJsoT,

THE LATEST FORESTRATION PROJECT,
The state of New Jersey, which has
come to be known as the hotbed of
trusts owing. to the incorporation in
that commonwealth of the principal
combinations Of capital, Is now contem-
plating a new departure In still another
direction. 1t is preparing to engage in
the lumber business on gigantic scale,
and to this end is considering the pur-
chase Of all the forest land within its
borders. The plan involves the acquisi-
ton by the commonwealth of the forests
through condemnation proceedings and
the establishment by the state of forest
reservations similar to those of Germany.
This land will be cultivated under the
most approved regulations of modern
forestation, enabling the state to
realize handsome revenue from the
sale of timber products as well as per-
petuating and improving the forests.
The details of this proposition have
evidently been carefully worked out the
material facts of the proposition having
been developed and advanced by the
state geological survey; and that its
members are practical men instead of
mere theorists is evident from the fact
that its membership includes such men
as Gov. Voorhees,, Col. Washington A.
ROebling, builder of some of the worlds
famous bridges. Senator Henry S Little,
who recently gave $500, 600 to Princeton
university and Lebbius 5. Ward, author
ity on water supplies. These men have
had the advice of Mr.. Clifford, chief of
the division of forestry of the United
States, and others, and they evidently
feel that they have project which
should appeal to the public and particlar-
ly to the taxpayers.
1t is announced that the scheme will
be made a public issue in the final mes
sage of Gov. Voorhees,, being commended
to the incoming administration as worthy
of support. 1t is estimated that the
state will ultimately derive an income of
about 100000 year from the forest
reservations, which can be applied to
the reduction of the school tax, thus
relieving the taxpayers from a heavy
burden.
Judging from all accounts the forests
of New Jersey are in condition not I'M
like that of VermOnt's forests. Practical
ly nothing has been done by individuals
in the way of cultiyating timber land,
and numbering operations are carried on
in way little calculated to promote the
reproduction of the forests. DR.. John
Clifford, professor In the New York
college of forestry at Cornell university,
who was one of the authorities consulted
In connection with the project, says that
in the hands Of private owners, under the
circumstances which at present exist,
the future of large part of the forest
land is not bright. A change is neces-
sary and this must come either in the
form of change Of ownership or of the
circumstances which letter ownership.
He enthusiastically urges state owner.
ship, for the purpose of realizing the
largest amount of revenue from the
forests and tightening the burdens of
taxation as well as preserving the
forests and enhancing the water supply.
These four considerations will appeal
to the people of Vermont as well as
those of New Jersey and other states.
The preservation of forests and the re-
tention of the wa'er supply and the in
cidental prevention of sudden floods
occasoned by the denudng of mountain
lands concern every resident, be he tax
payer or not; and the time will soon
come when fOrestration will be one of
the most important subjects of ,gis-
latOn in our northern s.-Burling-
ton Free Press.
VERMONT'S MAPLE SUGAR HARVEST.
The maple sugar season in Vermont is
practically closed, and it is now pc, sible
to speak of the harvest which has been
secured from the sugar orchards of this
state. Inquiry in different sections indi.
Gates about one-half crop, the average
production being one and One-half
pounds to the tree. The quality of the
product Is little below the average, ow-
ing to stormy weather, and in some in
stances the sugar is of in color to GER
tain extent, being darker than usual.
For many markets, particularly in the
west, this will not be draw back since
dealers and consumers in that section are
more accustomed to dark maple, being
inclined to regard the lighter packages