Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1901-12-05
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS,
They Are of the Greatest importance
to the Welfare Of the Nation.

TT The Cd dep "a Of agriculture during
e ene past 10 S years has steadily broad
has accomplished results of real value in
upbu1lding domestic and foreign trade.
1t has gone into new fields until it is now
In touch with all sections of our country
and with two of the island groups that
have lately come under our jurisdiction,
whose people must look to agriculture as
a livelihood. 1t is searching the world for
cally fitted for introduction into locali-
ties in the several states and territories
where they may add materially to our re-
vey and possible new crops, to breeding Of
new varieties of plants, to experimental
shipments, to animal industry and applied
chem chemistry very practical aid has been
tereSts. The products of the farm have
taken an unprecedented place in our ex-
port trade during the year that has just
Protect the Forests.
Public opinion throughout the United
appreciation of the value Of forests.
whether planted or of natural growth
snd IT IN
wealth is now more fully realized than
Wise forest protection does not mean
whether of wood, water or grass, from
contributing their full share to the web
fare Of tho people but, on the contrary:
of forestry is the perpetuation Of forests
Forest protection To- is not an end
sustain the resources Of our country and
the industries which depend upon them.
The preservation Of our forests is an I'm
come to see clearly that whatever de-
stroys the forest except to make way for
agriculture threatens our well being.
oof3 oo1 nf,y0~ ~F %L@ -
forest reserves to the mining, grazing, r.
rigation and other interests Of the regions
In which the reserves lie has led to a
west for their protection and extension:
The forest reserves will inevitably be Of
stu greater 1. use in the future than in the
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
Der with the United States geological sur
vey and the preparation of plans for their
estry, which is also charged with the gem
eral enlargement of practical forestry in
the United States: These various func-
forestry, to which they properly belong.
The present diffusion OF responsibility IS
bad from every standpoint. 1t prevents
government and the men who Utilize the
resources of the reserves without which
the interests Of both must suffer The
scientific bureaus generally should be put
under the department of agriculture. The
president should have by law the power
of transferring lands for use as forest re-
He already has such power in The case 81
lands needed by the departments of war
and the navy.
Necessity of Irrigation.
The wise administration of the forest
reserves will be not less helpful to the in.
terests which depend on water than to
those which depend on wood and grass.
The water supply itself depends upon the
forest. In the arid region it is water, not
western half of the United States would
sustain population greater than that Of
our our whole country to-day If the waters
used for irrigation. The forest and water
problems are perhaps the most vital in
ternal questions of the United States.
Certain Of the forest. reserves should
also be made preserves for the wild forest
better protected from fires. Many of them
great injury done by live stock, above ali
by sheep. The increase in deer, elk and
other animals in the Yellowstone park
shows what may be expected when other
mountain forests are properly protected
by law and properly guarded. Some Of
these areas have been so denuded of sur
face vegetation by overgrazing 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-
ing capacity Of the surface has been de-
creased or destroyed, thus promotinx
floods in times Of rain and diminishing ths
flow Of streams between rains -.
In cases where natural conditions have
been restored for a few years vegetation
has again carpeted the ground birds an1
deer are coming back. and hundreds Of
persons, especially from the Immediate
ncighhorhood, como each summer to en-.
JOY tho privilege OF camping. Some ct