The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-08-13

much gratifying information touching
forestry work. For example:
The system of cooperation with pri-
gun by the bureau three years ago, has
done much to encourage tree planting
and to bring about the Introduction OF
safe and reliable methods. AT the be-
ginning of the present field season 224
planting plans had been made in 172
localities of 90 different states. In ad-
dition, SO applications for assistance
from number of states are on file
and all will receive attention during
the present field season. The ma jority
of planting plans are for woodlots for
individual land owners. In some cases,
however, plans are being made for cor
porations, cities, and even states.
In cooperation with the Fort Worth
and Denver City railway the bureau is
now making an examination of land
in northern Texas for the purpose OF
drawing up simple directions for the
development of woodlots on the farms
in that region. After the examination
has been completed planting plans will
be prepared for those who desire them
and later printed instructions in re-
gard to the development of forest plan
tations will be issued. In addition to
this, the bureau will determine the
species of trees best suited for success
full growth and practical use in that
part of Texas.
The Metropolitan Water Board of
Massachusetts began planting this year
according to plans prepared by the bu-
reau of forestry on the watershed of
their large reservoir situated near Clin-
ton. This reservoir when completed
| will furnish the water supply for Bos-
ton and number of other nearby
cities and towns. The planting has
been completed on 175 acres, and a
| large quantity of nursery stock is now
| on hand for the continuation of plant
| ing in the fall and next spring.
A planting plan is in course OF
preparation for the water department
of the city of Woonsocket, r. l., for
the protection of certain portions OF
! the watershed of their large storage
reservoir located six miles south OF
Woonsocket. Planting along the lines
laid down in this plan will begin the
last of September under the personal
direction of an agent from the bureau
of forestry.
The state of North Dakota has made
o,,1
White for planting plans for woodlots
on the grounds of number of state
institutions, and these plans will be
prepared during August and September
OF this season. An examination of the
grounds of the following institutions
has been requested: The state capitol
at Bismarck, the school for the Deaf
at Devils Lake. the University OF
North Dakota at Grand Forks, the nor
NAL school at Maysville, the normal
school at Valley City. and the manual
training school at Ellendale.
The secretary of the interior has
granted to the department of agricul-
ture the privilege of establishing nurs-
cries and planting on the two forest
reserves recently established by Presi-
dent Roosevelt in the sand-hill region
of Nebraska. Surveys are now being
made of both reserves, and nursery
sites will be chosen and put in readi-
ness for planting by the end of sum-
mer. The most active work will be on
the Dismal river reserve, where all
MI x.,iI
be completed by September. and dur
ing the fall large collection of forest
tree seeds will be made. The principal
species used at first will be jack pine
western yellow pine, white fir. and
Colorado blue spruce. The Nebraska
reserves were the first OF this kind
and these are SO we'll thought of that
active efforts are now being made In
| Kansas and California to have similar
| reserves established.
A line of work recently taken up by
| the bureau of forestry, and for the first
time receiving adequate attention in
| the United States, Is the study of the
tendency of natural forests to extend
| over the land devoid of forest growth
| This tendency has been noticed in
many parts of the country. but has
never been studied with view of con-
trolling it for practical use, or assist
| ing 1t where desirable. A field party
from the bureau Is now investigating
| the reproduction of white pine on pas
lures and abandoned lands in Massa-
| chusetts and New Hampshire, to learn
| the conditions under which reproduc-
| ton takes place. The bureau is max
| ing this investigation in order to be
| able to give owners of such lands di-
| recti6ns as to the best methods OF
handling them, with view of secur-
ing a stand of pine by natural seeding
A field party of six men Is studying
| the same problem In Oklahoma, in con.
nection with the hardwood growth
which composes the timber belts OF
that region. 1t has been found in cer-
tain places In the middle west that
natural forest belts have extended uI
streams as much as two miles In the
last twenty-five years.
In short, the work of the bureau Il