The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1906-01-27

DcllcT pasture Tor SneeD, ana thus the pubic
lands have been robbed not only of its timber,
but no opportunity is given for it to recuperate.
The attention of Congress has been called to
this matter by our President and the Depart
mcnt OF Agriculture has been given special
charge OF this branch OF our National resources
to look up the facts in the case and scatter such
information as they can collect to secure bet
ter and more rational treatment of all land now
i'll timber, that should be devoted to its
growth in future, if the health, wealth and hap
piness OF the future to be provided for.
Some of Our State governments have now es-
tabllshed Departments OF Forestry and have
the report OF DR.. Rothwelk, of Penns ylvania,
who was the first commissioner under their law
and to a large extent, the father OF it, that gives
III very clear and comprehensive style a report
OF what has been DONE as we'll as an interesting
study OF many of the problems connected with it.
In our own State there has been some valu-
able information collected by the President OF
our Geological Survey embodied in maps of a
few counties that show the present that
are nOmnally i'll forest, and he is fully alive to
the necessity OF some more systematic effort to
preserve and to improve what is left of this ne
cessary al Junct to our agricultural wealth. The
magnitude OF the interests involved are such as
to demand special department to attend to
them as they are not included in his special
work.
Our State Agricultural College cannot as at
present constituted, establish new chain OF
forestry or undertake any new work with their
very inadequate resources, as | have it from the
pen OF President Sylvester OF that institution.
1t is separate and distinct work or training and
both these gentlemen and many others that
nave been consulted, are agreed that our Legis-
lature should take up this subject and give us
such law will place us in line with other
States and enable us to cooperate with the De-
partment of Forestry at Washington in this
work.
Our State holdings of natural wood land at
present may be but small part of the acreage
that should continue to grow timber but thew
VIII well pay for the care they deserve. The
greatest direct benefit will come by the aid that
inc state alone can render, to promote and en-
courage the proper treatment of the farmers
Wood-lot, and OF the large tracts now held in
private ownership, that are fast being depleted
OF everything OF value with no adequate pro-
vision for the future The idea is so common
that crop OF timber requires growth of GEN.
tuf1cs' that there is no inducement held out to
owners to expect any return for their invest
nent alter the present crop is cut and those
who dO not care to work for DOstertv allow
their clcarln%s to be browsed bv cattle burned
over or III any other way made Improbable for
future owner.
we have heard or read the sentiment that is
attlDuted to Washington about the man that
makes two blades of grass grow where only one
grew formerly, and can we not invoke a like
blessing upon the head of every individual who
Will grow two valuable trees where one only is
now standing, or better upon the efforts of the
intelligent owner who promotes the growth of
two valuable ones where now none or only
worthless cumberers OF the ground? How best
TO DO this is too large subject for this present
paper, but the benefit to the whole State and TO
nrpCn cent,
obvious as to need no demonstrations
1t is within the province of the law to pro-
mote this end by offering a rebate on taxes on
land now cleared or that may be cleared or
specially devoted to producing a crop of Young
timber, during the time that it will be required
to give it a safe start out of the reach of cattle
by fencing or otherwise.
1t is also plain duty to have some efficient
remedies for checking forest fires In the pres
ence OF general conhagration the land owners
are helpless and there is no officer whose duty if
IS to marshall fire fighting brigade, or pro-
VISION Tor paying such as lend hand to protect
the public property. \ proposal that looks
reasonable is to make every constable in the
State fire marshall, allow him liberal salary
Tor all time spent in this work and paw for all
whom he may summon to assist him.
With forest fires, as with all others, the REM
edy should be near at hand and promptly ap-
pied to be effective, but the average citizen now.
looks with indifference upon blaze when only
the woods are being devoured and no element of
personal loss is involved and the heritage of our
children may be going up in smoke.
We may remark in conclusion that the mere
sentimental idea involved in the quotation:
'Woodman, spare that tree
Touch not single bcugh;
In youth it sheltered me-
And I'll protect it now"
has no place III the necessary economy OF the
practical business world when we might seek to
apply it to half dead worthless timber left
standing where there should be a succession OF