The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-08-26
mural R6FORE51HH0N

no doubt. due. in part at least, to the
increased exposure OF the trees to an
ever more fickle climate. as well as to
the more persistent attacks Of tree.
infesting insects, which are deprived
at once Of their natural enemies For
as consequence OF the destruction oi
the forests the insectivorous birds
have been greatly reduced in num-
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 q 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 4
constant water supply. At the same
time the problem Of drainage Is grow
ing more dlnicult Small creeks and
open bitches. formerly well 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 Is
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 in
ArboF day among the schools, but that
interest seems for the most part to be
only short-llyed 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 blgno-
nioides. Evergreens are but little
known. except for cemetery and lawn
decoration. Junlperus communls grows
native to some extent as an Insignia
cant shrub No doubt the more useful
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 urgent
need Of popular education in matters
pertaining to forestry and timber sup
ply. For generations these people
have been learning and practiclng the
art Of forest destruction. Before they
can be expected TO show an active in.
terest in the preservation and renewal
Of forests. there must be created IN
their minds a totally new conception
Of the whole problem. Very few OF
the land owners give any attention 10
preserving and making the most Of
the farm wood-lot. No precautions are
taken to prolong the usefulness OF
fence posts and timber. From sheer
necessity. substitutes for wood In
house construction are being intro
duced. Brick, stone and concrete
blocks are slowly coming into use for
this purpose. Fences, until recently
built Of rails. are now more commonly
made Of wire. Yet. the shortage OF
timber and the consequent lnconYen.
ience are growing more apparent every
year.
A. d. PB0WMAH.
Department Of Botany. Beaver College.