The San Francisco call., 1904-03-14

In collecting an exhibit Of forestry.
two general plans are open 70 the col
lector. one having paramount consider
alton fer the scientific or botanical as
pect of the forests Of a State or coun-
try. and the other their commercial
significance.
The forestry exhibit which will be
made by the California Commissioners
10 the Louisiana Purchase Exposition
at ST. Louis viii be distinctively COM
mercial in its motive and aspect. With
sufficient means for the accomplish
ment Of that end, a scientific and COM
nercial exhibit might be combined, but
such an exhibit would require very
large space for its proper display and
even years for its collection. 1t is per-
fectly safe to say that no complete
scientific exhibit Of the forests Of any
country has ever been made. Ger
many. where the science Of forestry
has obtained its ripest stage, notwith-
standing its appearance at all the great
worlds expositiOns. has not even at
tempted q botanical or scientific eX
preston Of its fOrested areas.
Notwithstanding the difficulties which
can readily be anticipated, il was the
original intention to make the worlds
T.
prehensive exhibition Of the forests Of
California, presenting at least their
leading botanical aspect The desire to
accomplish this result was due TO the
unsurpassed forest wealth Of this State,
INCLUDING the extent OF the fOrested
areas. the climatic conditions under
which our forests had been produced.
the wide range Of varying botanical
specimens. the magnitude of CONNER
cisl lumber 10 be found upon any given
area, the distinction conferred by the
possession Of species unknown to other
countries and the variety OF the tOpo-
graphical conditions relating to the
floor Of our forests, which coupled with
the scenic grandeur of wooded slopes,
densely forested canyons and park-like
mountain plateaus, all combined to in
vest the forests Of California with in
tense interest to the bOtanist and syl-
vaculturist-
LEADING CONSIDERATION
Such an exhibit would involve much
expense and labor and would require
specimens Of the wood, the foliage and
fruit Of forest trees: and to possess any
value the specimens must be accompa-
MED by catalogue which Of itself
would expand 10 the dimensions of a
volume on the subject Of botany.
II was early perceived that the en-
tire appropriation made by the State
would scarcely be adequate for a work
Of this kind. and that many years
would be necessary TO its perfect ac-
complishment The hope, however, Of
disclosing 10 the world something Of
California's forest wealth was not
wholly abandoned. and the investiga-
ton into the probability Of a combined
scientific and commercial exhibit was
entered upon. but little inquiry was
necessary TO disclose the fact that the
space allotted 10 California at St. Louis
was inadequate TO the accomplishment
Of this result. That the proportion of
the general appropriation which could
be afforded 10 this department was
grossly inadequate led to the conclusion
reached 10 cOnfine the exhibit to its
commercial aspect. The departure
which will be made from this general
conclusion will scarcely be worthy the
appellation Of scientific or botanical.
A collection and classification Of
cones has been made and will be ex-
hibited for the pleasure and edi7cafion
Of bOtanists, but that feature will not
rise TO the dignity Of a scientific ex-
hibit.
The plan Of taking the leading COM
mercial species and presenting them in