The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-12-12

In a message OF such great length
as that or President Roosevelt no
paper In a city OF the size OF Homo
lulu can publish il in full. All OF the
most essential features Of the mes
SAGE were very fully covered in The
Republican of yesterday morning but
that portion relating 70 irrigation and
the preservation Of forests is of so
much interest 70 Hawaii that II is
herewith reproduced.
Thee Department OF Agriculture
during the past fifteen years has
steadily broadened its work on eco
nomic lines and has accomplished
results Of real value In up-buildins
domestic and foreign trade. II has
gone into new fields IL is now in
touch with all sections Of our coun-
try and with two Of the islands groups
that have lately come under our juris-
diction. whose people look 70 agricul-
ture as a livelihood. Il is searching
the world for grains. grasses, fruits
and vegetables specially fitted for in
PRODUCTION into localities in the sew
eral States and Territories where they
NAV add materially 10 our resources.
By scientific attention TO soil sur
vey and possible new crops. to breed
ing TO new varieties Of plants to
experimental shipments. TO animal in
dustry and applied chemistry. very
practical aid has been given our
farming and stockgrowing interests.
The products Of the farm have taken
an unprecedented place in our export
trade during the year that has Just
closed
Public opinion throughout the
United States has meved steadily to-
ward a inst appreciation Of the value
of forests. whether planter or Of ma
tural growth. The great part PLAYED
hy them In the creation and mainte-
nance Of the national wealth is now
more fully realized than ever before.
Wise forest prot ction does not
mean the withdrawal Of forest re-
sources. whether of wood, water or
grass. from contributing their full
share 20 the welfare Of the people.
but. on the contrary. gives the as
suranoe OF large and more certain
supplies The fundamental idea OF
forestry is the perpetuation of for
ests by use, Forest protection is not
crease and sustain the resources of
our country and the industries which
depend upon them. The preservation
OF our forests is an imperative bust
ness necessity. We have come TO see
clearly that whatever destroys the
forest except TO make way for agri-
culture. threatens cur well-being
The practical usefulness Of the ma
tional forest reserves to the mining.
grazing. irrigation and other interests
OF the regions In which the reserves
lie has led TO a widespread demand
by the people OF the West for their
protection and extension. The forest
reserves will inevitably be OF still
greater use in the future than in the
past. Additions should be made 70
them whenever practicable and their
usefulness should be Increased by a
thoroughly business-like management.
The wise administration OF the for
est reserves will be not less helpful
20 the interests which depend on
water than 10 those which depend
on wood and grass. The water supply
itself depends upon the forest. In
the arid region IL Is water. not land. /
which measures production. The ives.
tern half Of the United States would 4
sustain a population greater than I
that OF our whole country today II 4
the waters that now run 10 waste /
were saved and used for irrigation.
The forest and water problems are 4
perhaps the most vital internal ques- Z
lions OF the United States.
Certain OF the forest reserves :
should also be made preserves for the /
Wild forest creatures. The Increase /
In deer. elk and other animals in the I
Yellowstone Park shows what nav
be expected when other mountain
forests are properly protected by law
and properly guarded some OF these
areas have been so denuded OF surface
vegetation by oYergra1ing that the
ground-breeding birds. including
grouse and quail. and many mammals.
including deer. have been extermia-
ated or driven away. At the same time
the wSterstoring capacity OF the sur
face has been decreased or destroyed.
thus promoting floods in times OF
rain and diminishing the fow OF
streams between rains.
In cases where natural conditions
have been restored for a few years
vegetation has again carpeted the
ground. birds and dear are coming
back. and hundreds OF persons. especi.
ally from the immediate neighboraold
come each summer 20 enjoy the priv
ilege OF camping Some az least OF
the forest reserves should AFFORD PER
petual protection 70 the native fauna
and fora. safe Ravens Of refuge 70
orr rapidly diminishing wild animals
Of the larger kinds. and free camp
ing grounds for the eyerincreasing
Of men and women who
have learned 10 find rest. health and
In the splendid forests and :
nower-clad meadows OF our noun {
aims. The forest raserres shonlf I