The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1908-05-23

water cannot be retained at the hign-
er levels, therefore cannot be fed 20
the lower soils or to the springs. The
result is that even on plains the wa
ter level is top far beneath the SUI
face to be used. Agriculture would
be entirely impossible If it were no.
for irrigation and the terracing Of
hillsides by which the rains are made
to wash the soil into small fields
whose edges are propped up by walls.
Nearly one-third Of Canada is for
est, and her net exports of wood are
over 100000 tons year, which is
just twice that of the United States.
Now, that all Europe is falling behind
every year in the production OF wood,
the present indications are that the
countries which lead as exporters Of
wood will have to cut short their sup
ply. England, who has been depend
ing upon foreign supplies of wood,
and the leading importer of wood, will
have to count ldore and more upon
Canada.
When Columbus discovered America
in 1892, the western hemisphere was
practically a wilderness Of boundless
forests. No other part of the world
equalled the beautiful and luxurious
timber growth Of this continent.
While the settlers laid waste some OF
the timber to build their homes they
burned millions of dollars worth of
logs in the process of clearing the
land for cultivation, and as the coun-
try grew westward, the pioneer ak
continued the destruction of the for
ests, always cutting down and never
replanting.
Nations, which now manage their
forests on we'll laid principles have
passed through four stages of forest
experiences. First, forests were so
plentiful as to be in the way, and
we're either neglected or destroyed.
Second, as the borders of the forests
receded from the sediments the ques-
ton of local supply of wood bad to be
met, and the forests were either pro-
ltected or spared. Third. the demand
for wood and a better knowledge Of
forests and its growth led to the re-
cognition of the forest as crop,
therefore must be replanted. Fourth,
as progress led to-, measures for
the general interest, including a
wiser and less wasteful use of nat.
ural resources, the forest was pro-
tected and controlled SO as to yield 4
constant annual income. The United
States has the experience of all other
countries to rely upon and the forest
rules. which hundreds of years of act
ual practice have proved right, are at
arms length, and only have ito oe
grasped.
During the year of 1906 forest work
carried on by the states made greater
advance than any previous year
About twenty-five states now have
forest officers and ten have state re
seryations. i
| National forests are objected to by
i great many people. who claim that
as soon as a forest becomes national
the industry Of the region is check
ed, resources locked up, settlement
prohibited and future growth made al
most impossible. This decision is
given when the real facts concern
ing them are not known. Some claim
that they withdraw land from taxa
ton, and If they were left to pass into
Iprivate hands there would be more
taxable property for the support 81
schools. The government pays nc
taxes, but it pays those counties ii
which the forests are located ten pei
cent. of all the receipts from the sale
of timber Taxes from private lands
are temporary returns. because after
the timber is used they are generally
left to burn up and become vacant
and barren, and are quite valueless
for taxation. In 1906 the national for
ests paid the country school am
road funds over $4,000, and thi!
amount will be greatly increased eacl
year.
!, Mr.. Humphrey of Mississippi says
there are only three sources from
which the national wealth is drawn