The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1908-02-02

Gh1AT GIFT. az 50
We think the following article from
The New York Sun win be read with
satisfaction by all who take an inter.
est in forest preservation:
William Kent. Of Chicago has just
aeeded to the United States 295 acres
81 Rrimeval redwood forest on the
Six H es Fl from o I'M ei TSm "a sa
to the Secretary Of the fnterior". and sSA q
national park viii be signed dat at an
only tracts Of redwood Z forest rest T. to be be
today. -el,s- - ~-" : - -
The canons Of Tamalpais. which
obtained from them went into the con.
struction OF theN old San Francisco.
The giant trees on this tract escaped
outlet is on. the ocean side instead
OF the bay side, and also because the
various owners OF the land have for
the timber from harm or destruction.
The canon r. in absolutely primeval
an hours ride Of San Francisco I at
the very doors OF hundreds OF thou
sands Of people. Originally this land
rancho sSusaiito. Mr.. Kent pur-
= sum said 70 be about sl7 900. 70
woods for the instruction and enjoy
oos os s me pSs sgpdsa f9s tract 70
The largest redwoode on the tract
are eighteen feet in diameter at the
set snd rsE wR siS est Il
and clean stems AS none Of the big
trees has been cut their age is, Of
course, somewhat prob1ematical. but It
sso ss frS sS Zoo s 6 hs
The total stand of redwood rough
ly estimated ls about 80. 1000 900 feet.
very very c sS "mount of tan BARK
oak. The redwood alone at q fair
valuation has q market value Of $780,
600 as 1t stands. r.
There may be touch Of sentiment
alism in the satisfaction we feel over
the assurance that remnant Of these
wonderful trees is to be preserved. In
no part OF the world known to civil
lied man can there be found such real
vegetable giants as the redwoods Of
California. In diameter, height and
In all other respects they surpass any,
thing known elsewhere. and their
historical interest is no less important.
The exact age OF some of these trees
can only be conjectured. No doubt
some Of those which are now stand
ing, or which have been destroyed in
recent years. were growing when
Christianity dawned on the world.
They witnessed the rise. course and
fall of those races who are now known
only by the works left behind them.
When Columbus discovered America
they were standing in all their eigan-
tic grandeur just as they stood when
the white mans axe began their de-
structioh, and IL left alone no one
may calculate how long they viii re-
main to excite the wonder and admira-
tion of ali who look oh them.
We are not informed as to the coupse'
the government win pursue with this
magnificent gift. but suppose steps win
at oncs be taken to preserve them.
Natural forests of any kind. are fast
disappearing, and this, the grandest of
them all, should be so cared for that
twill be the wonder Of future gem
erations and admiration. of all who
admire natures greatness. The senti-
ment for forest reservations has. be-
come an absorbing one. and none can
be Of greater interest than. this red
wood park will be. though there may
be some of more practical benent, but
even IL that is true it does not lessen
the interest that should be felt in this
newest domain Of Uncle Sam.