Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1908-02-07

present methods make for the wiping
out of the forests. That is why SO much
agitation has been heard to the effect
that forestry is a federal problem
needing immediate attention.
Aside from the business aspect of |
the thing, there is a sentimental inter-
est attaching which will appeal to mil
lions who would not consider them
selves affected in a business sense.
This is that the White mountains offer
breathing space for 100000 peo-
pie who live within "a hours easy
Journey of those primeval haunts. The
very existence of this region as
health and pleasure resort depends abb
solutely on the preservation of the
forests, either in their entirety or by
!. conservative numbering.
Thousands of persons who were for
merly regular frequenters of the White
mountains now spend their summers
in Canada. That is because the New
Hampshire scenery is being destroyed.
Three-quarters of the population OF
the United States are east of the Mis-
sissippi. Three-quarters of the wood
working Industries are located east
of the Mississippi. Yet, west of the
Father of Rivers there are 14O,000,OOO
J acres of forest reserve. And the east
hasn't an acre.
But the east is asking for 100000
acres In the Appalachians and 5000
in the White mountains. Will she get
them? That is what the western for
. est reserves amount to-14O,O0O,0OO
acres are equivalent to the territory
of all the New England states, to-
gether with New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland,
Virginia and part of West Virginia.
There came before the last session
of congress "a bill for the purpose OF
} ACQUIRING national forest reserves in
, the Appalachian mountains and White
, mountains" 1t had passed the senate
: and was unanimously recommended to
. the house by the committee on agrt
! culture.
: It is proposed to make reserve Of
100000 acres. One per cent. of this
or 10000 acres, will be preserved for
= scenic effect, which means that tht
scenery will be enhanced over the en-
tire tract. It would also be possible
to promote the cultivation along sci
entific lines OF birds, game and fish
and to provide against destructive
fires.
Fire is the greatest enemy of thu
forest, and 1t invariably follows cut
y ting unless the logging is done In tn
most conservative manner. Fire no
only destroys the standing timber, blu
Z. also the young growth, the seedlings
) the seeds, the leaf litter and even tn
soil itself.
And the causes of forest fires, in tn
y order of their Importance, are: Raj
y roads, carelessness In clearing lant
fishermen, campers and deliberate II
~ cendiarism.
~ The remedy for fires is to patre
and warn and instruct all camper
how and where to build their fires an
Z how to take care of them. Maine ha
:. perfected a fire protection system
:. which much Is heard.
: Fire wardens are stationed wit
= powerful glasses on the high mountai
- tops. Mr.. Sherman visited one sue
- station on Squaw mountain, near ii
foot OF Moosehead lake. This warde
had revolving table and map OF Q
40 the country In sight. which Ia laid o.
q In circles, with his station as cente
~ When he discovers fire, II not poi
u tive of the location, he places the ma
40 on the table and turns 1t until the
81 rections correspond exactly with u
lay of the country. And II Uncle Sa
5. should take this White mountain d
IN trict under his care this fire protectit
he a,a,.,s - no.s,h,a