New-York tribune., 1902-03-17
FOREST PRESERVATION.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE SALE OF ADJ.
RoNDACK TIMBER ON THE PLEA OF
SCIENTIFIC FORESTRY

[ $1,000
RoNDACK TIMBER ON THE PLEA OF
SCIENTIFIC FORESTRY
To the Editor OF The Tribune
/ Sir: Conditions have so changed during tha
last five years that the imperative need or the
absolute and entire prohibition Of the cutting
for market of trees from our forest preserve has
/ become apparent. Five years ago IL was as
sumed that European forestry methods and
/ economies were everywhere applicable in Amer
! lea. Trial of these methods Cor rather alleged
methods) in this State disproves the theories NJ
essayists and demonstrates the wisdom ~ tba
/ practical woodsmen Of New-York All who have
! traversed the forests know how certain Of the
ancient roads. or even recently cut paths Quick
/ ly grow up being filed with brush and young
| trees as TO be nearly impossible This has been
! held to be proof that the forests. even II en-
| tirely cut away. will be renewed in a few wears
| by young trees, fit for numbering in twenty or
| thirty years The wholesale cutting Of our for
| ests by lumbermen (who afterward sell the
/ stumps 20 the State) has proved that this proc
ess is dangerous, preparing the way for forest
! fires. which destroy the humus and soft. decav-
/ ing wood. the dead leaves and duff" which are
/ the food OF the trees. and which protect the
roots, shielding the moisture Of the soil from
evaporation. This moisture in the soil Is Iudis-
pensable to tree growth New data are now be-
fore us. We find that where entire lots or tracts
townships have been numbered off. and fire
has followed the axe, the forest trees start
slowly such a surface and do not develop
rapidly except under the shade Of old. large
trees, which protect from the sun the moisture
in the ground.
The large trees are. therefore, indispensable
to the rapid growth OF the small and very
/ large percentage of trees Of fifteen 70 eighteen
inches in diameter must he kept In the forest
I ey-a tba
chiefly from the sultry. burning rays of the sun
of American climate. but also TO guard the
young trees from hurricanes and OverOading
with ice in winter. The New-York forests are
affected by a summer heat and solar radiation
which exceed that of the German forests and
we have longer periods ~ nearly Cloudless skies
here, drying up not only the soil. the brooks
small ponds and marshes. but the very leaves OF
the trees. have seen during a period OF In
tense drouth the leaves OF the forest trees in
the Adirordacks so dry in midsummer that
single match would ignite the foliage Of an en-
tire living tree. or Il tire green leaves OF birch
maple or aspen were rubbed in the hands they
would turn 70 powder This is revelation 70
us of the dangerous climatic conditions here
rarely so extreme in Germany.
II follows that IL IS improper 20 cut the large
hardy trees in the AIirOu. .rcks. because they
are needed as a protection 70 the secondary
mer heats are more trying and hurtful to the
young trees than the winters most intense cold
though a temperature of IL degrees below zero
(FahrenheiD followed by a strong wind. viii
rive and cause longitudinal fractures in the fibre
Of even the large trees. I; is q fact that the
German system of forestry is i.applicabla in i,s
entirety in the northern districts Of our State.
II is a question whether the German system
of forestry is even applicable 10 the central or
.
these parts Of our State even less cloud shelter
for the forests and fields in midsummer than
We have in the Adirondacks. and We have more
injurious drOUths. accompanied by intense heat.
in June. July and August.
Our brooks and streams have already largely
become torrents in spring and fall only TO have
nearly dry beds in the summer. All of this was
predicted. over quarter Of a century ago, by
the wisest of our statesmen. forest students and
political economists. Marsh foIejold il in his
Man and Nature: Governor Seymour predict
ed IL. Every Governor since his time has urged
the protection and preservation OF our forests
In the light or the new revelations and the
total failure Of the German forestry system in
this State-its necessary failure IL II is 10 be an
entire sweeping away and destruction OF all -
the large forest trees-we must stop at once tn
plans of the despoiers Of our State forests, anc
preserve what has cost millions The folly
of expending S57 Oo1OOO the canals and at
the same time Offering amendment 10 the
I constitution permitting the cutting away OF tht
large forest trees which protect the springs AMI
sources Of the feeders OF the canals, Is 50 self
evident that IL is amazing that our legislators
do not comprehend II. and crush the schemes OF
the COnSpiratOrs who are urging these destruc-
tive plans forward
There are other reasons, even more potent
than those already mentioned. why our forests
should not be destroyed The timber markets
OF New-York show that the supply of first
quality American lumber is now very scant IN
the markets Of this State, and IL behooves US
not to sell what We have or to enter into heed
less contracts for the sale Of our heritage In the
Adirondack forests 10 those who wish 10 be per-
r1itted 10 cut big trees. but would cut all.
forest reserve is not reserve N IL Is cut away
and destroyed: and. il cut under the existing
political system. il will cost more to watch and
inspect the cutting than the state Will receive
while the only outcome will be the loss of the
beautiful grand old forest trees which give so
much beauty and attraCtiveness 70 the Adj
rOndaCkS.
The leasing Of permanent camp sites Tor
cottages or villas on State lands is another very
Objectionable scheme now pending In the lesiS-
procurement of advantages by the Few 10 the
exclusion Of the people from the enjoyment OF
their own lands Stop this iniquitous measure
FOR every one has now right 20 camp upon the
State lands and no exclusive or private adNau-
tages should be given which VIII Keep the PEI
rle travellers tourists. hunters or sportsneu'
from the public domain. .
of the State were aroused and active In dsLsncS
Of the forests. NERFI-ANCh CCLNA-'-
Albany. March H. 1902
PLEA FOR LETTER CARRIERS
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir. The Letter Carriers bill. introduced by 3
s,re-rsssrro,, from, Michigan and referred to th9