The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-15

given to the future. Had the forests been cut with the view of leaving trees that would some day make lumber the time wouldn't ever come when the timber supply for sawmilIing purposes would be entirely exhausted. But in their unreasoning de- sire for gain these corportons evidenced no thought for the future and have left irt their wake a tractless waste, in many instances, as denuded of trees as is the Sahara desert.
 Importance of Preservation.
 "So startling has become the conditions relative to our future lumber supply that the whole country has awakened to the reality that unless a speedy halt is called, and unless people demonstrate some ac- tivity looking to the propagation of useful timber trees, that the time must in- evitably come when a timber famine will exist in the United States.
 Problem for the Future.
 Aside from this, scientific investigation has disclosed the fact that the destruction of the forests causes drouth and likewise floods. The whole nation is turning to- ward the idea of establishing vast forest reserves to protect the heads of the rivers. It has been found that the de- struction of the forests causes the water to rush rapidly down the hlllsides, thence into the creeks on to the rivers, causing floods and great destruction to life and property. Were the forests left standing at the heads of rivers the water would gently soak in through the leaves and rich loam would distribute itself gradu- ally into the streams. Floods fill up the channels of rivers, causing sand bars, which result in detriment to navigation.
 ''The virgin forests must inevitably be .. 2 lumber, hence the problem which, now confronts the people of Alabama Is the care of the growing second growth timber, and practical plan by which they can engage in the art of growing useful tim Der or forest trees. The greatest damage done to young timber is caused by forest fires.
 Fires Destroy Forests.
 ''It has been customary for years to burn the forests with the idea that it may make spring and summer grazing Letter, but this has long since been proven to be a veritable fallacy. Whenever a forest fire sweeps through a piece of woods it destroys every prospective tree to the age of four years. Hence if we were to have the forest fires only quadren- nially there would be no future increase l in the supply of timber
 Refrain From Firing Forests. 'The people are urged never to burn I any forest, brush or stubble recklessly or | wantonly. The attention of our citizens is directed to the impending hardships that | will be entailed upon us In the event ouc 1 timber supply becomes fully exhausted. l All lands that are vacant or idle which 1 are not susceptible of cultivation should
 be allowed to grow up in trees, and these 1 trees should be so protected that within | the nf few tbau urfl 1a | velop into such sizes as to be valuable for l lumber purposes.
 Let Us Look to the Future.
 Stupid, indeed, is the man who live; l only in the present with no thought ot 1 the future, when by the exercise of intro l spection, posterity can have for it's birth
 right, blessing which nature in its wis 1 dom has so amply provided.
 l Conclusion.
 '|The large sawmills must inevitably go l out of existence because of the fact that l the supply of timber to keep them r1n- | ming will have been exhausted The for l estry laws of Alabama were, therefore l enacted for the purpose of encouraging | the farmers and land owners of the state | to take care of their growing timber in l order that sufficient amount could b. | constantly at hand to supply the loca l ss V mills that serve to furnish lumber tC l local communities In few years large l quantities of lumber will be imported into 1 this country and the import duty alone | will be in excess of the price of lumber now. Hence it is. of imperative impor-
 tance to those who are so situated that i they can convert portion of their lands | into forest reserves that they do so. Under no circumstances should any growins timber be burned or cut down unless abso. i lutely necessary.
 The commission of forestry hopes that l by directing the attention of the citizens | of Alabama to a few primary principles ] ot forest preservation that an interest will
 be inspired that will cause our people tc
 seek information relative to the value oi
 timber culture and preservation, being confident that when such Is done that the
 minds of the people will be fully awaken 1 ed, and that prompt action will be taken | that will guarantee the coming gener-
 ations at least remnant of the magnifi.
 cent forests that were the heritage of the | fathers"