Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1908-09-17
SIOUX nat. FOREST |
Government Insures Timber Sup.
ply for sTreeless Regions in
S. Oak. and Montana.

ply lOI<lTeeleSS REGIONS III
S. Oak. and Montana.
Things are appreciated most keen
sly when missed, and people in this
country arleady experiencing pinch
in the supply Of timber used for both
construction and fuel purposes are
saying that they had little idea OF
the value of wood as a necessity of
life until compelled to go on with a
scant allowance or made to pay ex-
horbitant prices for their supply.
The United States has not yet suffer
ed greatly from the pangs of a tim
ber famine, but forest experts and
practical lumbermen who have stud
led the situation say that this coun-
try has only Is to 30 years supply of
the best timber left.
At present, the communities suffer-
ing most from lack of timber are
in those regions where there is little
or no natural tree growth. The peo-
pie in these sections view. the timber
situation with Increasing apprehen-
sion each year, for, as rapid as prices
Of both lumber and fuel wood rise in
cities near the source of supply, they
rise with even greater rapidity in the
treeless regions.
In the southeast corner OF Montana
and the northwest corner of South
Dakota, there is a section Of the
country where there is little tree
growth and where the increasing
scarcity of timber is severely felt. It
is fortunate that the Sioux National
Forest is located in this section. The
area of this forest is small and there
is but little commercial timber on it.
One would think that it was of little
consequence, but this is far from the
fact. Even this scant forest growth
is ofvital Importance to the welfare
of the people and the economical de-
velopment of the region because
there is no other accessible supply
nearer than 200 miles to the north
and east.
& Settlers are rapidly coming into
this region. For their log houses, for
roof logs for their ssodies," and for
fence posts and fuel these settlers
turn to the national forest. Here,
under the system of free use, they
may obtain annually timber to the
value Of 5000, without charge of
any kind by the government. If
they need more, which is seldom, it
may be purchased alta nominal sum.
Fence posts for from one cent to five
cents each, and fire wood at twenty
five cents a cord may be considered
nominal. #
We're it not for the fact that this
area is a national forest, which al
lows to every one an equal and just
share, the timber on the more acces-
sible portions would be exhausted, ,es.
pecially in those districts which lie
within South Dakota. It is hard to
tell what the region, with its greatly
increasing POPULATION, would do for
timber were it not for the perma-
nent supply insured by Uncle Sam.
Now, every stick is used, and used
for the purpose for which it. IS suit
ed. Besides caring for the wise and
equitable use Of the present timber,
the Forest Service is looking to the
future and continued supply. The
sforested area is increased through
the prevention Of fires. and young
growth hastened by planting, SO that
the material velopment. of the re-
gion near the forest will be assisted
by q ready supply Of timber at hand
for construction purposes. s