The Washington herald., 1908-03-29

Robert w. Higbee. a prominent hard
wood manufacturer Of New York. who
owns extensive timber lands and mills in
the Adirondack region, takes a public
spirited view Of the preservation OF the
forests Of those mountains. and has writ
ten an interesting communication on the
subject. which appeared in the last issue
of the New York Lumber Trade Journal
Mr.. Higbee's communication was written
under date OF March 2. and follows:
All authorities who have made the ques-
tion Of the timber supplies OF our country
a study agree that at the present rate Of
consumption and waste the timber supply
east Of the Mississippi River will be ex-
hausted in less than twenty-five years.
Commissioner Whipple. OF that State. in
his last annual report says that New
York's supply viii be practically gone in
about twenty years.
There IS no doubt that there is good
ground for these warnings and that the
time is now here when not only the na-
tional government but the State govern
ments as well should give the question Of
public ownership" OF timber lands most
careful consideration.
Opportunity Faces Empire state.
The opportunity in New York is not
only a golden one. but it is also almost
unique. The greater part OF our standing
timber is in the AdirOndacks. and for the
purpose OF perpetuating the water supply
this is the only part OF the State that
r,rf1I .rr.
water supply fer the Mohawk and Hud-
son River valleys is drawn almost entire
ly from the Adirondack forests
The Adirondack forests consist Of $780,
600 acres. OF which the State already owns
about one-third. In addition 70 these
State lands there is owned by private in
terests and held as private forest parks
sufficient timber land 10 bring the tctNi
up 10 more than 100000 acres from which
no wood is now being cut With this
splendid beginning. IS it not time for the
State TO consider seriously the purchase
Of the remaining 100000 acres?
The conditions in the Adirondacks are
almost ideal for such an investment by
the State While the softwcJds (spruce
ard hemlock) have been largely taken OF.
the hardwoOds (beech birch. and maple)
have been scarcely touched. There are
good reasons why hardwoods have been
left. The Adirondack forests are very in
accessible, and as the hardwood logs can
not be Seated in the streams 10 the saw
mills II has not been profitable up 20 this
time for the lumbermen 10 get-them out
Cutting Hardwood Trees Rapidly.
The advance IN the price OF hardwoods
and the improved and less expensive "a
cilities for logging are changing these
conditions very rapidly. and It is only 4
question OF a short time when II will be
profitable TO go after these hardwoods.
AS matter OF fact. within two or three
years two companies alone have bought
about 10000 acres IN St. Lawrence Coun-
ty and have already commenced opera
IiOns.
The purchase Of this entire Adirondack
area. besides insuring a perpetual and
equable water supply. could not fail 70
be a profitable investment. for the sta
tistics OF the national government show
that there has been for years an average
advance in the price OF timber lands
equal 10 10 per cent annuslly.
Two questions naturally suggest them
selves: What would the cost of these
lands amount 10 and how could the State
get any returns2 The total cost OF the
whole 100000 acres would probably not
exceed S50,0oo,ooo, and this sum includes
the amount already spent in purchasing
the 10000 acres now owned by the State.
Having purchased this Adirondack area.
the state would own about s.. 600. .0oo 600
feet Of standing timber. and could then
seriously consider the advisabiiity OF so
amending the constitution as 10 permit
the cutting OF the large ripe trees. With
such a supply OF standing timber the
State could safely sell 1900. 600 feet an
nually and still know that its supply
would be inexhauStibl~. for the average
annual growth would be at least 3 per
cent The revenues 10 the State from the
sale Of this amount OF timber standing
in the forests would be anywhere from
$S.0Oo0o0 to 100000
In addition TO the annual growth the
State should plant all the cut-over and
waste lands. Experiments made under
the supervision of the State superintend-
ent Of forests have proved very success
full and clearly show that the cost would
not exceed IS an acre.
Revenue Would Pay All Costs.
Should the above plan be adopted. the
revenue secured from the sale Of 100000
eco feet of timber would pay all the cost
Of administration, the full interest on the
investment. and furnish sum sufficient
TO plant many acres each year.
l know full well that public sentiment
might not at this time consider this
proposition of cutting timber from State
lands. but the public must know that for
estry is already a science, and that the
removal of trees Of proper sizes under
proper regulations is a benefit and not an
injury TO any mature forest.
Fifty millions of dollars is a large sum
OF money, il is true. but It is less than
one-half OF what Is being spent TO en-
large the Erie. Canal. and this canal is a
Nantllra Of dnlIhtfnl henatf f-.,r,, -u.l.s.n