Graham guardian., 1901-02-08
Branch of the Department Dstab-
Ii4hed In 1870 10 Provide for
the Distribution and Dis
position OF Timber.

1t is only within the past few years
that forestry has been recognized as
profession in the United States. it
acquired this dignity with the gradua'
ton Of Mr.. Clifford Pinchot from Yak
college in 1889, for Mr.. Pinchot was the
| first American to devote ketn lmehl-
| Vence and liberal education 10 solu-
ton of the problem of the distribution
and disposition Of the timber OF THIS
country lie came naturally by ms an
terest in forestry. His father, Mr..
James w. pinchot, of Grey Towers
Milford Pa. has for years encouraged
in every possible way the intelligent
conservation of the forests, writes j.
D. Wheipley, in Harper's Weekly
The p.nchot family founded and do
mated SIao.Jtp to the Yale forest school,
and the summer school in this branch
Of eouera work is held at Mr., iiGchots
place in Connecticut. When Nr. Gif-
1 ford pinehot graduated non N~e the
value Of his services was tl ice rec
ognizsl in a number of dire tnS He
worked out forestry r,'F Tor iilt-
more, the great North Care. estate
of the Vanderbilts. He Vas made
member of the national IoreS;Gy com
mission, and undertook Tor he gov
arnnent a special study OF the forest
reserves. The permanen; urtd OF his
Gervices by the government was quick
Iy recognized, and July /, 1898, he was
appointed chief forester of the United
States.
The division Of forestry is one branch
nf the department of agriculture 1T
was established potentially. but not
actually, in 1876, by the appointment
pR DR.. Franklin B. Hough, OF New York
10 prepare n report on varions forest
matters under the direction OF Tx
commissioner of agriculture. The po
eition of chief forester was created By
act of congress ten years later.
Cooperation with other government
bodies interested in forestry is
marked feature of the wcrk of the di
vision. 1t has assisted and been as
sisted very greatly by the forest d.
vision of the United States geological
survey. which is engaged in mapping
and describing the forest reserves, and
1t has undertaken, n the request OF the
secretary OF the interior, the prcpam.
ton Of working pans for the 47V0ocL'
acres of national forest reserves, al
though. owing to the unfortunate sep
aration of government forest work intt
three PARTS, it has nothing to do with
their administration. Applications
for positions as student assistants have
been received from more than $50 men
for this summers work OF these less
than 60 were selected for appointment
The total force of the division in office
and field, at present is nearly 100.
The work OF the forestry experts is
most practical American plans had
to be devised, for conditions are differ
ant in this country from those prevail
ing in any other. In Germany, for in
stance. where great deal of atten'
tion is paid to forestry, labor is cheap
and, wood is dear. In the United States
labor is high and wood is cheap. Lum-
bermen have been shown they were
losing seven. per cent. of their prodmct
! by cutting high stumps. The system
has in consequence been changed near
ly everywhere.
The forestry division has cooperated
| with several important railroad sys-
: TENS in introducing novel feature OF
economy. 1t is proposed that these
railroads shall raise tie and pole tim
} Der on a large scale on their nonutilized
right of way. This action is due to the
, failure of the natural supply of this
material in all except the recently set
, tied portions of the United States
, About 100000 acres of timber are
consumed annually by railroads in
building and req airing, and'at thepre
ent rate of timber depletion the in,
creased cost OF such material will soon
be a serious factor in railroad econ
: omy. The Santa Fe system has already
tried the experiment suggested, and the
results obtained have done much TO
stimulate interest, This road planted
1880 acres in catalpus IS years ago
> The total expense was $12S,OG0, but it is
? estimated that in ten years more this
tract viii have produced $@,56o,coO
: worth of poles, etc.
One purpose OF the divisionds to dem
3 onstrate the value OF tree rInitations
to land owners, especially those in the
l treeless regions of the west. The offer
: 10 give advice and furnish working
| plans to persons desiring to plant for
est trees, made last year by the di-
2 vision, has met with immediate re.
! sponSe from the farmers of the coun-
E try. Nearly $50 applications have been
received. and 40 were furnished with
E plans in time for use this spring. Astill
: larger number have written for advice
. in cases where personal inspection by
. experts was not needed. The treeless
! states were quickest to avail them
J selves Of the offer, Kansas leading WITH
: An an7licatinnx