The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-22
KANSAS COMMENT

GARDEN CITY NATIONAL FOREST.
President Roosevelt has Just signed a
proclamation creating additions to the
present Garden City national forest
lamatlon also provides that the original
Forest, known as the Garden City, with
the additions shall be called the Kan
saS national forest. The additions Will
prlns the area of the Kansas national
Forest up to 302, 1877 acres.
Inc forest is located in Finney and
kearney counties, in the sandhill re-
glon OF Kansas. on the Arkansas river.
Its creation received the support OF the
entire Kansas delegation in congress.
ana, through petitions, the additional
support of industrial associations and
the citizens generally Of the counties
In winch this land is situated.
Inc Kansas national forest was Gre
ated mainly for experimental planting.
since the rapidly increasing demand for
timber in the agricultural communi-
ties adjacent has led the people to
believe that this sandhill land, other
wise worthless except for a limited
amount Of grazing, can be made to
obtained with black locust on lands
similar In character, and it is thought
that further experiments will demon
strate that the entire sandhill region
south of the Arkansas river can be
made to produce timber.
To this end the forest service has
made arrangements to plant $1,000
seedlings of valuable hardwood species
on this forest this spring. A new
planting station at Garden City to sup
ply trees for the future planting on
this forest was established March l,
on tract of five acres of land which
was leased from the county commits
sioners of Finney county for an annual
rental of 81. The annual capacity of
this nursery will be 300, 900 trees. The
a In IF traH ov- far
and other domestic uses. which 1t is
believed this forest is capable Of pro-
ducing, Is almost incalculable In this
practically treeless ountry. 1t Is I'M
questionable that il the forest service
is successful in these experiments many
private individuals will benefit from the
results obtained by the government,
and plant trees for domestic purposes
in Connection with other work on their
ranches.
Tree planting experiences in Kansas
have been many and varied. 1gnor-
ance Of proper methods of planting and
caring for the trees and the frequent
choice of stock entirely unsuited to the
region brought many failures during
the year following the enactment of the
old timber claim act. There have been
many successes in tree planting where
land owners have exercised judgment
and care in the work, however. and
the fine groves of trees In the western
part or the state give promise of the
reclamation of much of the great
stretch Of land lying south of the Ar
kansas river. known as the sandhills.-
Wichita Eagle.
THE WISE DOUMA.
Russia has made no great strides in
the matter of self-government since
its first douma met three years ago,
and the people have continued to en-
Joy the terrors and hardships which
have long distinguished Russia from
the rest of the world. The douma
hasn't done much good because it
couldn't, not having the right. A legis-
lative body naturally feels somewhat
backward and uncertain how to to pro-
coed If there is a prospect that its
best efforts will be unheeded. But late
ly the douma has done something
which should meet with the approval
of everyone, from the grand dukes to
the peasants. The douma has refused
to appropriate five and half million
dollars for the construction Of four
battleships during the current year.
Considering the luck Russia has had
in the past with her naval ventures,
it is strange that anyone had the nerve
to suggest such a bill. The Russian
peasants have certainly had enough of
war and warships. and the car would
feel the same way II he were as wise
as the peasants.-Atchison Globe.