The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-03-11
correspondence.
FHE APPALACHIAN RESERVE.

From FlO0d9-Benedta That HouAo 1eau4'
The Proposed Purchase and the Rights Of
the Land Owners.
CoHFespOndence Of The Progressive Farmer.
beg TO send you herewith some
thing concerning the proposed APP
palaohian Forest Reserve, which Ii
seems 90 me it would be well TO pub
hsh, in view of the interest which is
now being shown in this matter
throughout the western portion of
this State. j. A. HOLMES,
State Geologist.
1. The primary purpose OF the
proposed Southern Appalachian
Forest Reserve is the ~perpetuation
of the forests on the mountain slopes
Of this region. / think that all par
ties will agree that the accomplish
ment of this result will be q matter
Of great Importance, not only TO the
mountain region itself, in the way
of perpetuating it's scenic attractions
and by preventing the washing away
of the mountain slopes and moun
tain valleys by foods; but also in
the way of protection of the agricul-
tursl lands bordering these streams
as they ross the adjacent States in
the representation of water powers,
both within the mountain region
and for 200 miles along the curse
Of these streams in the protection
against still greater and more fire.
quent food damages along these
streams; and even in the perpetual
ton of navigation facilities in these
streams along their lower portions,
The establishments of the forest re-
serve and the construction of good
roads will, I believe, increase the
tourist travel in this region so that
In a few years time it will bring a
revenue TO Western North Carolina
from this source alone of from $5,-
100000 to SO, 600, 900 a year.
2. Judging by the experience of
the past few years 1 think we will
all agree further that the surest way
of accomplishing this result liz by
arranging for the purchase by the
government of a larger portion of
these steep lands which are not suited
for agricultural purposes, and their
incorporation in such q national
forest reserve Cor ~reperveg) as that
now proposed. Just as in the case
of the Western forest reserves it was
believed that the surest and indeed
the only way TO perpetuate the
forests there was to have the govern.
ment retain possession of the forest
covered lands. This conclusion is
also borne out by experience in other
countries, where, as in France, the
government has expended millions
of dollars in trying to restore forests
on mountain slopes where the origi.
nal owners of the land destroyed
them. Recently our own govern
ment expended 81, 500, 900 in the pur-
chase of forest lands in Montana and
added them 80 an existing forest re
gerve.
3. If, however, all private owners
of these lands could be counted upon
to perpetuate the forests on these
mountain slopes, then there would
be no need of asking the government
to 90, operate with this end in view,
in the manner indicated. And where
such private parties in the Southern
Appalachian region have purchased
and occupied forest lands with a
view of preserving them in forests,
have never heard the slightest in
timation from any government Off
cial under whose control the pro-
posed forest reserve would pass, that
any other policy was contemplated
than that which would permit such
aprivate owner continuing TO hold
and manage his forest lands. It
would be reasonably expected in
guoh cases, however, % that these
forests be culled and not destroyed
and CO that they be so managed as
not 80 be a starting place for fires
that would damage or destroy neigh.
boring forests.
4. In it's past experiences in BON
neotion with the establishment of
forest reserves, the government has
purchased some lands and it has
made some exchanges of lands, max
ing grants Of land in other regions
to persons living within the area of