Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-06-19

aged as to be source of continual
revenue without impairing the original
capital, many large owners are avail
ing themselves of the opportunity offer
ed by the government to secure the aid
of expert foresters in planning their
To provide experts, schools of forest
ry have been established. There seems
to be growing demand that every
thing should be taught from the stand
point of practical education.
The awakening and arousing Of
general interest in the study of forest
ry, should be the work of the public
schools. The observance of Arbor day
has done much to develop love for
trees; but one day out of 365 is not
enough to devote to this subject.
One of the results of clearing away
the forests is the great floods which
are doing so much damage to some
parts of this country. The flow of the
rivers in regions from which the forests
have been removed is irregular and I'M
certain. Heavy rains flowing over the
frozen surface of the ground freed
from the natural barrier which the
trunks and roots of trees offer to rapid
flow Of water; or snow deprived of the
shelter of forests and melting suddenly,
reach the stream so rapidly that it is
unable carry off the unusual volume of
water and destructive floods ensue.
If river flows from high mountain
range the dangers attending the remov-
al of forests about its source is increas-
ed. The rapid melting of SHOWS is
followed by more disastrous results.
The torrents increase every year. The
soil, then the rocks themselves are torn
from the mountain side and washed
down by the river leaving the mountain
side bare.
Forests also reclaim and protect sandy
soil. France is noted for its success in
|reclaiming sand dunes. Six hundred
miles Of coast on the west and north of
France were made desolate by the sand
blowing in from the sea, sometimes
burying villages and running large
tracts of cultivated land. The work OF
reclamation was begun by the govern
ment. They planned to make the wind
build barrier of the sand itself. This
was done by placing along the shore,
300 or 400 feet from the waters
edge, bundles Of brush, set in diagona
rows together. A part of the sane
lodging in front of the obstructson ant
part passing through and settling be
hind. AS they are buried, more ant
more bundles of brush are piled upol
until huge mound of sand is formed
with gentle slope toward the sea ant
steep slope toward the land. Beacl
grass and other plants are sown OF
these slopes and behind these trees ar,
planted. This plan has proved so sue
cessful that the whole coast is nov
covered with fine growth of timber.
In Kanaas and other western states
railroad companies have started fores
reserves. The timber which they grow
will be used for railroad ties.
| The production of lumber has dimin
J. ished very rapidly in the United State
in the last few years, and nearly ever
, state in the Union has at least sma
!, forest reserve, and more interest
being taken in these reserves ever
J year.
81 The most difficult thing to conten
with in guarding forests are the gres
forest fires which destroy annual
: about $25, 900, 900 worth of timber
: the United States. These fires a,
n started in four different ways. The
: are started by lightning, by men WI
e start them on purpose, by careles
Y individuals and by locomotives. 1hos
e started by lightning do not usually
much harm, because the lightning
: generally followed by rain whie
d puts the fire out before it does mue
! damage. By means of fires WOO
i thieves hide their tracks and man
t lpeople out Of revenge, fire an enemy
n woods. Years ago charcoal burne
h set fire to woods in order to buy IL
: charred wood cheaply, since it was the
Y fit only for charcoal. Another serio,
cause of fires is the carelessness
d of those who build camp fires and Ut
8 matches. The sparks from locomotiv,
+ also start many.fres. In some stat,
: there are laws which force engineer
A Of locomotives to keep a screen owe
t the smoke stack Of their engines |
t prevent sparks from escaping.
e Forest fires are more destructive
d the early spring than at other season
d Many dry leaves have then accumula
ed on the ground, many still cling
e the trees, the wood contains very lit
d sap and the wind has freer swee
s thru the woods.
n It is said by some that sheep are il
e directly responsible for forest fire
e Sheep men are careless with their ST,
n nal fires, and their camp fires; the
r build fires carelessly for protectic
s against wild animal and start fires pu:
posely in the fall to clear ground for
better spring growth Of feed. 1t is tt