Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-12-06

They Are of the Greatest ImpOrta nee
to the Welfare of the Nation

They Are of the Greatest Importance
to the Welfare of the Nation.
The department of agriculture during
the past Is years has steadily broad
ened its work on economic lines and
has accomplished. results of real value in
upbuilding domestic and foreign trade.
It has gone into new fields until it is now
and with two of the island groups that
have lately come under our jurisdiction,
whose people must look to agriculture as
grains, grasses, fruits and vegetables spe-
cially fitted for Introduction into locali-
ties In the several states and territories
sources. BY scientific attention to soil sur
vey and possible new crops, to breeding Of
new varieties of plants, to experimental
chemistry, very. practical aid has been
given our farming and stock growing in
terests. The products of the farm have
taken an unprecedented place in our ex-
Closed. ~ 80 40 '~ ~ >
Protect the Forests.
Public opinion throughout the United
States has moved steadily toward a just
Of the value Of forests
The great part played by them in the Gre
alton and maintenance of the national
wealth is now more fully realized than
Wise forest protection does not mean
the withdrawal Of forest resources.
whether 9t OF wood: wa water or grass: from
fare Of the people, but. on the contrary,
gives, the assurance of larger and more
certain supplies. The Fundamental idea
by use Forest te pPeteetion is not OF an end
Of itself; it is a means to increase and
sustain the resources Of our country, and
the industries which depend upon them.
Come 70 s Ds Clearly hat whateSer n aee
agriculture threatens our well being.
The practical usefulness of the national
forest reserves to the mining, grazing. ir-
rigation and other interests Of the regions
widespread demand by the people of the
west for their protection and extension.
The forest e VIII be Of
past. Additions should be made to them
whenever practicable. and their useful
ness should be increased by a thoroughly
businesslike management.
Bureau Of Forestry.
At present the protection Of the forest
reserves rests with the general LAND Office
the mapping and description of their tim
Snd the fate sur
estry, which is also charged with the gem
the United States. These various sf fync ca
ttons should be united in the bureau Of
forestry, to which they properly belong.
bad from every standpoint. It prevents
government and the men who utilize the
the interests Of both must suffer. The
scientific bureaus generally should be put
under the department of agriculture. The
Of transferring lands for use as forest re-
serves to the department Of agriculture.
ne already has such power in the case Of
s lam IN needed by the departments Of war
Necessity of Irrigation.
me wise administration of the forest
reserves will be not less helpful to the in
t tensa n,s Which depend on water than to
The water supply itself depends upon the
forest. IN the arid region it is water, not
wester wn ha1, ne sur PROJECTION The
sustain population greater than that OF
our whole country to-day IL the waters
that now run to waste were saved ana
problems are perhaps the most vital in
ternal questions Of the United states.
Certain Of the forest reserves should
All Il the r1s who Ss
better protected from fires. Many Of them
need special protection because Of the
BY sheep. The increase in deer. Elk. Elk and nd
other animals In the Yellowstone park
shows what may be expected when other
these areas have been SO denuded Of sur
face vegetation by oversrazing that the
ground breeding birds. including grouse
and quail. and many mammals. including
deer. have been exterminated or driven
away. AT the same time the water stor-a
ing capacity Of the surface has been de-
creased or destroyed, thus promoting
floods in times Of rain and diminishing the
now of streams between rains. $500
Is In cases where natural conditions have
been restored for q few years vegetation
deer are coming back, and hundreds OF
persons. especially from the immediate
neighborhood, come each summer to + en-