The Garland globe. [volume] (Garland, Utah) 1906-191?, 1908-08-29
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no doubt, due, in part at least. to the
increased exposure of the trees to an
ever more tickle climate, as we'll as to
the more persistent attacks Of tree
infesting insects, which are deprived
at once OF their natural enemies. For
as a consequence Of the destruction OF
the forests the insectivorous birds
have been greatly reduced in mum.
bers.
The southern four counties in this
range have long been noted for their
splendid natural water supply. Along
every stream valley the ground-water
outcrops at frequent intervals from
strata Of coarse sand and gravel over
lying the limestone. Many of these
springs for hundred years never
known to fail, have, since the removal
of the back-lying forest, become but
"wet-weather springs" absolutely dry
in late summer. Over large parts of
this area the ground-water level has
fallen several feet In the last 20 years,
so that wells have had to be dug or
drilled to greater depth to insure a
constant water supply. At the same
time the problem of drainage Is grow.
ing more difficult. Small creeks and
open bitches, formerly we'll filled with
water the year around, now run almost
dry during a good part of the summer,
and become choked with rank
growth of weeds which must be re.
moved, else the stream will be com.
pletely filled with silt at the next food
season.
AS stated before, however, there IL
but little II any interest shown by the
people In the matter OF tree planting
II is true that shade-trees are quite
commonly planted along the streets OF
towns and villages, and In public
| grounds generally, but this practice
has not yet extended to the public
highway, or even, to any extent, to the
rural school-grounds. Most of the
counties report a growing interest ir
| Arbor day among the schools, but that
interest seems for the most part to be
only short-lived and ineffective. The
trees most commonly planted for shade
and ornament are soft maple, American
elm, and Carolina poplar. Fortunately
most of the region has gotten over the
craze for the unsightly Catalpa bigno
nioides. Evergreens are but little
known, except for cemetery and lawr
decoration. Juniperus communis grows
native to some extent as an insignia
cant shrub. No doubt the more usefu
oaks and walnuts would be more gen
orally planted II the people knew how
to handle these less tolerant trees sue
cessfully.
In no region is there more urgen
need OF popular education in matters
pertaining to forestry and timber sup
ply. For generations these people
have been learning and practicing tn,
art of forest destruction. Before the,
can be expected to show an active In
terest in the preservation and renewa
Of forests, there must be created IL
their minds a totally new conception
OF the whole problem. Very few o
the land owners give any attention L
preserving and making the most o
the farm wood-lot. No precautions ar,
taken to prolong the usefulness o
fence posts and timber, From shee
necessity, substitutes for wood II
house construction are being intro
duced. Brick, stone and concret'
blocks are slowly coming into use To-
this purpose. Fences, until recent!
built Of rails, are now more commonl!
made of wire. Yet, the shortage o
timber and the consequent inconven
fence are growing more apparent ever!
year.
A, II. PLOwMAN.
Department OF Botany. Beaver College.