The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-11-01

atione woutd ffno timber as plentfful as they did. Thus 1t was that no effort was made to save or protect the standing trees. To say nothing of the waste brought about in clear ing vast areas of land for cultivation -and this was frequently carried to an unnecessary extren,e--no care was taken of the uncieared land. If a man wanted certain tree that he found standing in a. thick forest he would cut it down and in its fall 1t might crush @ dozen young trees. It was not an, unusual thing. also. for the man to cut a road in order to bring out tree. or part of a tree that he wanted, and thus needlessly destroy what would in after years have developed timber of value.
 We have been reading lately of the course pursued on the immense estate of Vanderbilt, called Biltmore, in North Carolina We believe he owns or controls 14o,000 acres of land. but at any rate it is very large estate. for this country. and is practically virgin forest. Vast quan- titles of wood arc being cut every year. but in doing so they are follow ing an Intelligent and systematic plan of forest preservation. The old and falling trees are cut due care being taken not to injure. other timber in the operation. Where the trees are so crowded that they have no room to attain mature size they are, thin ned out. again being careful not to destroy the trees that remain. and these are by this method given room to spread and grow to their full size for future use. Immense quantities of wood are thus being cut for fuel and other needed purposes. and at the same time the forests are being pre- served. As . matter of fact, the for ests are bettered and made more valu- able by thus cutting out the surplus trees.
 If the plan being pursued on the Vanderbilt property had been adopted and adhered to in, ali parts of the country years ago conditions would be widely different from what they are now. and very much better. in almost every respect. But the time for preservation Is to a large extent past. The forests have been destroy ed. the harm has been done, and now the only thing left is reforestation, ahd that is attracting much thought and attention of late. as we'll as sys- tematic effort to remedy the evils brought about by lack of torethought in the past.
 It should be borne in mind that the object of reforestation Is not altogeth- CT for the purpose, of having timber for the use of future generations though that is an object that might well engage the attention of all who | take thought of those who are to come after us. There are, however, other considerations of interest and importance fin connection with the work. It Is demonstrated beyond the possibility of doubt that the entire denudation of the land. especially in hiliy region. not only leaves the land to be washed and ruined by heavy rains but causes floods during the rainy season and drouths in the dry season: two real evils that are apparent to all. It has also been shown that destruction of the forests has more or less to do with the health Of community.
 For these and other reasons that might be given the matter of refores- tation is one of importance, and 1t is well that 1t Is being attended to in time. There are millions upon mill AOus OL acres UT pare lana Tn the United States which are ready to be replanted. and upon which there may in time be forests for the benefit of future generations. Proper selection of the trees for any locality. and proper and intelligent care in plant ing and caring for them will in a comparatively brief term of years re- suit in incalculable good to the peo- pie of the country, It will not mere ly add to the beauty of the lands. but 1t will confer material benefit as well. It will be good for the health of the country. 1t will regulate the rainfall and the condition of the streams. and 1t will provide timber for the use of those who live in the future. In short, 1t would be impossible to esti- mate the great and varied benefits that will come from intelligent refor- estation. and all should look on 1t as among the most important projects now before us.
 The Augusta Herald tells 1t that there is talk of running a pipe line