New-York tribune., 1901-08-10
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
RIPE TREE LUMBERING.
a PROTEST AGAINST SCHEME OF FOREST
DISSERTATION"


DEsECRATIoN."
To the Editor Of The Tribune:
Sir: In your Albany dispatch OF July 20 mention |
is made Of the fact that the legislature is to be
asked to favor amendment to the constitution
permitting the cutting Of ripe trees on State
lands IN the Adirondacks. The article states that
without the slightest harm to forest. but on
the contrary. with benefit it, the ripe trees
can be taken out and sold. 1t is proposed to sell
the privilege Of taking the timber the dreaded
lumber companies" the ripe trees to be selected
under the supervision Of foresters TO be employed
by the State. AS camp owner, having sum-
mer home in the Adirondack forest built near
State lands. and in reliance upon the provisions OF
the constitution Of the State protecting the public
forests from desecration by the woodman's axe. I
write 70 protest against the proposed scheme, and
TO outline the objections to II.
Lumbermen tell me that forest fires be read
ily extinguished in the natural untouched woods
but cannot be controlled where the land has been
numbered over partially or entirely. The dry
branches and tree tops which have been Topped of
burn like tinder and. IN a high wind. the fire, dur
ing dry season. will spread through numbered
woods fast human being If the
spruce and pine trees TO be numbered out OF
the State forests-and 1t Is these the lumbermen
covet-the dry branches and tree tops will be
fire menace for many years.
The forests will cease to have their natural char
acteristics Of deep shade, rich moss. moisture and
fertility of soil If the ripe removed. for
IT is from the natural decay OF the branches fallen
timber and leaves that the forests enriched
/ and the moisture protected from the sun IN the
/ deep shade. A CHASTITY illustration Of the great
/ damage that be done by this accursed ripe
| tree numbering can be seen the island
| OF Lake Placid.
| A Washington forester advised the removal OF
| the ripe trees. The famous island now has un-
slightly stumps standing upon It seven feet high.
/ for the very deep when the lumoermen
came: IT has ugly sIuiceways running to the lake
shore. where the logs were drawn down, and
majestic trees have been feIed into the lake where
| their tops still lie 1 asked of the Iumbermen
why the branches were not taken the ice and
burned but he said that too much OF a
| chore" asked him to define ripe tree and
was told it a tree that would make good
| beams and boards
| The article quoted further says that the ripe
| trees are to be branded and marked with the State
| initials. To those familiar with the ways OF
| Adirondack Iumbermen this safeguard is on a line
| with some Of Mark Twains remarks. II can GER
tainy never be seriously taken. II there Is 70 be
| any branding il should be on the forehead OF
the originator Of this ingenious scheme OF forest
| deseCratiOn.
| The lovers Of what IS left of the Adirondack
| forests must rally to support the constitutional
| provision which stays the hand OF the ripe tree
idiot. Otherwise the springs and streams Will dry
| up. the ground will parch and the heat or the
| Hudson River Valley will spread 70 the FAMOUS
North Woods. FREDEFtlCN > w All
| Camp Agawam. Lake Placid, July 80. 1901