The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-01
WATCHING THE FORESTS
PROF. FREEMAN RETURNS FROM A
VISIT TO WOODED LANDS.
Governor James A. Mount RESPONSE
bic for Preserving Forests in
Several Counties.

1.-THE people residing in the section of In
diana between Rockport and Crawfords-
vile were awakened by James A. Mount
long ago to the value of forest preserva-
tion," declared Prof. W. H. Freeman, sec
rotary of the Indiana Board of Forestry
yesterday, land the consequence has been
that to-day some of the finest forests in
the country to be found in that strip of
territory. And they are not only alive to
the value of their timber resources. but to
the great deposits Of coal that are being
discovered just now. Leases for coal lands
are being signed almost daily and the
suit is going to be wonderful advance of
that part of the State in the near future"
Prof. Freeman returned yesterday from a
tour of the counties of Montgomery. Parke
and Fountain. At the Shades of Death he
inspected a northumberland tract of for
est for DR.. Moore OF Irvington. THAT is
one of the finest natural forests and one of
most beautiful bits Of wild scenery in the
State" he said. Acting on DR.. Moore's ex-
pressed wish that the forest be retained as
jungle park. Prof. Freeman gave instruc-
tons for it's treatment to bring about this
end.
n Northumberland forest belonging to
county, was also examined. On this tract
are over 200 black walnut trees that were
on the ground when the tract was entered
by Mr. LuSk'S father at the time Parke
county was organized. a tract of four
hundred acres of forest land owned by
William Lusk in Fountain county was also
inspected. Prof. Freeman says the Messrs.
IuSk told him they would not sell tree
at any price. believing that the yearly
growth is making them better profit than
could be derived by selling the trees entire
and devoting the land to agriculture.
Prof. Freeman visited forests owned by
Milt Robinson, the Harrison Collins estate,
and by George Moore, located near Mar
shall. Ind Mr.. Moore is seventy-seven years
of age, being of the oldest settlers of
that part of the State, but Prof. Freeman
found him out in his forest busily engaged
in cultivation of trees. The old gentleman
declared that he must preserve the forest
for his grandchildren, as they would need
the timber.
Professor Freeman found much to inter
est him in the tracts of forest near YountS-
vile. owned by Ransom and George Mey-
ers who are probably the largest land
owners in Fountain and Montgomery coun-
ties. He found large catalpa grove owned
by William ONeill and a black locust forest
belonging TO Joel g. Deer, located near
TOWNSVILLE. He said that If the owners of
! land suitable for forests in other parts Of
the State were as alive TO the value of
cultivating trees as are the people IN the
section just visited by him, Indiana would
never lose it's position in the front rank
| of tfmber-producing States of the country.
Professor Freeman visited Wabash Col
! lege yesterday morning and looked into the
| character of forestry work that is being
| done under the direction of Prof. Mason b.
| Thomas, of that institution. he pronounced
| the work as being conducted along general
utility lines and expressed himself as high
| Nv gratifed with Professor Thomas's eff
| forts. Professor Thomas gives course of
/ forestry instruction dealing with the rela-
| ton of forests to water courses, fish, fruit,
sanitary conditions, planting and cultiva-
/ ton.
Another agency that has aroused people
! in that section of the State to the value OF
/ forest preservation" said Professor Free
| man, SIS the new electric road that is being
| built known as the Charlottesville line.
] The construction of this road has caused
! the people to realize wildly the advantage
| also see that this advantage will cOntIn-
ually grow greater as time passes by. The
| truth Is, that timber production is coming
| nowhere near keeping pace with the in
j sing darna nd for IL >,