Rocky Ford enterprise., 1901-08-09
FARMING MATTER.
The Isurr.u OF Yorestry.

NlklOHk OI tHt stuttb StIiIt-
ment OF Agriculture We're advanced to
bureaus. This was provided for by
the last session OF Congress, which ap-
propriaied for the expenses OF the bu-
reau OF forestry during Its iirst year
$lS5.iiO The appropriation for the
division OF forestry durin. the year Just
ended for $500. For the year 1855
% II was S2s.5aO.
These figures show how rapidly the
forest work OF the :overnmcnet has cN-
panded OF late. and also how well IL
has commended itself to Congress.
There was time when the practical
value OF the scientific Investigations
carried on by the government was not
fully understood. and farmers were in-
clined TO think that money spent ON
experiment stations and chemical Ia
boratorIes was OF little benefit TO
them. Now the ease il very different.
The Improvement In agriculture due TO
the work OF the department have In
creased the value OF the farm prod
ucis OF the country by many millions
OF dollars annually. As this kind OF
work has proved its practical utility.
Congress has shown itself generous
toward II. The readiness with which
Congress has Increased the approprla-
tions for the division OF forestry Is the
best evidence that forestry has proved
its Importance from "A business stand
point.
The change from n division to n bu-
rcau and the larger appropriation Will
make possible bath an improved office
organization and more extended field
work. The bureau Will h. provided
with much larger office force and will
be organized In three divisions But
Held work. not Office work. u what
the bureau exists for. This work has
been going ON during the last year
from Maine to California and from
Georgia TO Washington. Il Includes
the study OF forest conditions and for
est problems nil over the country. the
giving OF advice To owners OF forest
lands. nnd the supervising OF conscrva-
tive numbering operations which Illus
trutc forest management on business
principles. This work can now h.
greatly extended. Private owners OF
some 100000 ncrcs have applied for
this advice. which In every case re-
auircs personal examination. and
about l11.0pO acres have been put un-
der management. This land IL In
many tracts. large aud small. and Is
owned by individuals. clubs and cor
poraiions. Several state governments
have also asked the aid OF the bureau.
But the CREATES, demand OF the De-
partmcnt of the Interior OF the nation
al government. which has asked FOR
working plans for all the forest re-
serves, with the enormous total AREA
OF about 100000 acres.
The bureau OF forestry IL made up OF
the division OF forest management. the
division OF forest Investigation. and
the division OF records.
The division OF forest management II
rtt N ur,s., ..ft
former superintendent OF working
plans. When the owner Ipriva,c or
public Of woodland wishes TO consider
the possibilities OF his property II
handled rs constant source OF timber
supply. the tract must he examined by
nm expert 60 ascertain the condition OF
the standing timber. the prospects OF
reproduction. the facilities for market
Ing. the best method OF harvesting the
present crop 30 rs 90 secure the largest
present and future yield. and the like
lihood OF success under management.
A preliminary report is then made. II
the owner decides on management. a
working plan follows. This involves
careful study OF the rate OF growth OF
the different kinds Of marketable tim
Der. the computation OF the proper in
tcrval between cutting and OF the
amount OF timber TO be harvested. and.
IL desired, the recommendation OF the
necessary regulations to enable the
work TO go on under contract. All this
falls to the division OF forest manage
mcnt.
The division OF forest investigation.
under the charge of Mr.. George II.
Sudworth. makes studies OF trccs-of
their rates OF growth. distribution, re-
production and habits-and invcsti-
gates all the forest problems connected
with fires, numbering. grazing. tree
planting. stream flowing and erosion.
The chief OF the division OF records
Is Mr.. Otto j. ]. Hucbkcrt. II takes
charge OF all offices and routine mat
tiers, and also has custody OF the H.
brary OF litcrature bearing on forestry,
ana of unique collection of photo
graphs. which il continually being
added TO. Illustrating forest conditions
all over the United States.
The result OF the work OF the divis-
Ion has been TO turn practical forestry
In the United States from a doubtful
experiment Into an assured success.
Special studies OF some Of the most i'm
portant trees, commercially. have been
made. from which can be calculated
their probable future yield. Cheap
methods of harvesting the present lum-
Der crop without injuring the produc-
uVlty OF the forest have been put in
operation. Such concerns as the
Great Northern Paper Company and
the Deering Harvester Company have
Decn led to undertake conservative
management OF their forest properties.
Meanwhile the work of tree planting.
particularly in the almost trcclcss
western states of the plains. has been
furthercd: the relation of the forest to
the volume of streams. erosion. cvapor-
alton, and irrigation have been
studied; matters connected with irr-
CATION and water supply have been in
vcstignted; hopeful progress has been
made In the direction OF regulating
grazing In western reserves In n man.
ner fair both to important interests of
cattle and sheep owners and to those