The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-03-17

ilne theories and then apply those
theories by main force. On tho con-
trary, they began by facing disagree
abe Facts. Every step Of the way to-
ward wise forest use, the world over,
has been made at the sharp spur of
want, suffering, or loss. AS a re-
suit, the science of forestry is one Of
the most practical and most directly
useful of all the sciences. It is a
serious work. undertaken as a meas
ure of relief, and continued. as a
safeguard against future calamity.
The United States, then, in at
lacking the problem of how best TO
use its great forest resources, is not
IN the position of n pioneer in the
Held. 1t has the experience Of all 9TH
or countries to go upon. There is no
need for years of experiment with
untrled theories. The forest princi-
pies which hundreds of years Of nc.
tual practice nave proved right are
at It's command. The only question
Is, How should these be modified o.
EXTENDED TO best meet American con-
dllionS? I'm the management of fire
n%atIona! Forests the government i
not working in the dark. Nor is il
slaviShly copying European countries.
1t is putting into practice. in Amcri-
ca, and for Americans. principl,s
tried and found correct. when will
insure to all the people alike the full
est and best use Of all forest rcSour-
ccS.
Take the ease Of Germany. Start
ing with forests which were in as
bad shape as many OF our own watch
have been rccklessly cut over, it
raised the average yield OF wood per
acre from 20 cubic Ieet in 1880 TO
20 cubic teet in 1901. During the
same period Of time it trcbled the
proportion Of saw timber got from
the average cut, which means, in 9TH
er words, that through the practice
OF forestry the timber1ands Of Ger
many are three times better today
than when no system was used. And
III Ilfty-four years II increased thu
money returns from an average acre
OF forest sevcllold.
In France forestry has decreased
the danger from Floods. which
threaten 10 destroy vast areas Of fer
tile Farms, and in doing SO has added
many millions Of dollars TO the ma
tlonal wealth in new forests. 1t has
removed the danger rrom sand dunes
and in their place has created a prop.
crly worth many millions Of dollars.
Applied to the State forests, which
are small in comparison with the ma
tIonal forests Of this country, il
causes them 10 yield each year 4
net ven Of more than f4.700,00U.
though the sum spent on each acre
For management Is over 100 times
greater than that spent ON the for
cSts of the uuitcd States.
France AMI Germany together have
Il population Of 100, 900. 900. in round
numbers. against our probable 3d.
ooo.0on. aHd State forests Of $780,
600 acres against Our 100. 900 900
acres Of national forests: but France
and Germany spend on their forests
Tll 100000 Il year and gel from them
in net returns $50. 000. 900 a year,
while the United States spent on the
national forests last year 81 400, 900
and secured a net return Of less than
$l30.O00.
In Switzerland, where every foot
Of agricultural land is Of the great
est value, forestry has made it posi-
bic FOR the people to form all lands
INT for crops, and so has assisted the
country to support a larger popula-
ton, and one That is moro prosper
Gus, than would be the case if the
valleys were subjected to DESTRUCTIVE
floods. In a country as small as
Switzerland, and one winch contains
so many high and rugged mountains,
this is n service the benefits of which
can not be measured in dollars. 1t is
in Switzerland also. in the Sihlwali,
that forestry demonstrates beyond
contradiction how roat a yield in
wood and money it may bring about
if applied consistently for a number
Of years.
a circular entitled "NVhat Forcs-
try Has Donc,' just published by the
forest service. and obtainablc upon
application TO the Forester. Washing