Evening star., 1901-08-15
FOREST RESERVATIONS.
Two Important Reasons for Their
Maintenance.

Two Important Reasons for Their
Maintenance.
From American Medicine.
Until quite recently few people have given
much thought to the rapid destruction Of
our magnificent North American forests.
The necessity for limiting this destruction
from the purely economic standpoint has
been recognized only within the past ten
years. and since the act Of March 3, 1891.
the President has been given power to seq
regate forest reservations from the public
lands. Professor J. W. Toumen popular
Science Monthly, June, 190D in discussing
the subject of our forest reservations states
that no less than thirty nine national forest
reservations have been established, con-
tanning In the aggregate more than $780,
600 acres an area more than fifteen times
as large as the state OF Connecticut and
about one-fortieth Of the total area Of the
lative act provides that the reservations are
to be taken from public lands they are for
the most part In the Rocky mountain re-
gion and in the Pacific coast states where
large areas of public forests and land are
available. Much controversy has arisen as
to the wisdom Of withdrawing such large
areas from sale or other disposition un-
der the laws Of the land office. This oppo-
sition has become less during the past few
years and public sentiment in favor Of for
est reservations Is rapidly increasing. In
fact this change In sentiment has been
SO rapid that a movement Is now on foot.
with the prospect Of success, to establish
a national forest reservation In the south
ern Appalachian mountains, where 1t will
be necessary for the government to pur-
chase the land at an expense OF several mil
lions Of dollars. A few state reservations
have been established. the most splendid
example being the state forests in the Adj
rondaeks of New York Similar reserva-
tions have been established in Pennsylva-
MIA, and it Is likely that others will be set
aside in Michigan during the present year.
Unfortunately, the lumber interests in
northern Minnesota are likely to prevent
the establishment Of a national reserva-
tion at the head Of the Mississippi river.
Professor Tourney considers the import
ance of forests more from the standpoint OF
maintaining the water supply OF the coun-
try. However, there is another side to the
question which is quite as important and
which should not be overlooked. The value
Of forest reservations as great national
parks for recreation and sport is very great
In such reservations those so inclined can
get in touch with nature at her best where
the streams abound in trout, where wild
animals are not confined behind iron bars
and where there are no signs Keep of the
grass" There a man can reinforce his
physical strength with wholesome mountain
air. pure water, vigorous exercise and plain
food. It Is a pity that the present state OF
development Of our country makes such
reservations impossible in the vicinity Of
most Of our large cities The park sys-
TENS are of great Importance as breathing
places for the poorer people. but most OF
the real forests of considerable size are
within a short distance of some Of the
largest cities. and these are constantly fire.
quented by picnicking parties from the
poorer classes during the summer season.
Even now the reservation OF such areas or
land would not be impossible In the neigh
borhood of some of our large American
cities. and they would prove good In
vestment If the health. comfort and pleas
ure of the masses were considered.