St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-10-20
Women and Forestry.
Report Read Before the Vermont
Federation Meeting in Boston.


is published. 1t was written by Mis-
Della |. Griffin of this village and read al
the recent meeting in Boston by Mrs
Rebecca Fairbanks. The report follows
That an interest in the Forestry move
ment is surely though slowly gaining
ground among the clubs Of the Vermont
Federation, is evident to one who reads
the letters which have come to the char
man of this committee the past year.
This interest was shown during the
meeting of the legislature, when an act
concerning the cutting of trees and bushes
near the highway, was brought before
that body. That it was finally passed in
a very good and conservative form, was
due largely to the influence of the club
women of this state. A most efficient
state Forester, Mr., Austin F. Halves,
has been appointed by the legislature
and excellent work has been done by the
University of Vermont, in establishing a
nursery for pine trees, and supplying the
farmers of the state with pine tree seeds
and seedlings. While these two features
do not come within the scope of the fed
Grafton, they may properly be mentioned
in this report. as showing the advance OF
our state in the matter of forestry.
Your committee has placed special EN-
phasis this year, on educating the young
people to keen interest in trees, timber
and the preservation of our forests. A
circular letter, sent to all clubs in the
state, suggested various ways of work
ing in connection with the schools. such
as the planting of trees on Arbor Day
and the study of trees in their natural
environment,-andi nclosed with the let
ter, were programs and specific plans for
such work. The latter were prepared by
the forestry committee of the General
Federation, and proved to be most help
full.
Out of the 81 clubs Is have made re-
ports to your committee during the past
year.
The Athena Club, Barre, reports one
evening devoted to the subject of forestry
last year. another planned for the COM
ing year, and good general interest in
the subject.
The Brattleboro Woman's Club has
been instrumental in having an active
tree warden elected; under the auspices
OF the club the state forester gave a lect-
ure free to the public. In the Civic
League, recently formed by the club,
there is forestry committee which will
soon be doing good work. Shortly be-
fore the league was formed, the commit
tee joined the American Forestry Asso-
citation of Washington, and now receives
the magazine Conservation" for the
club use.
The Woman's Literary Club of Bar
ton did not hold forestry meeting this
year, but usually that subject has had a
place on their program, and it will prob
ably have during the coming season.
The first step in this work has been
taken this year, by the Bellows Falls
club, in the appointment of forestry
committee. This was intended for the
entering wedge and no especial work
was laid out for it. Plans are, however
being made for coming years work.
Another recently appointed committee
is that of the Chester club, and meet
ing has been devoted to the subject. 4
collection of the trees of the vicinity ha
been made and 80 different kinds found.
The Ladies Literary Club of lslanC
Pond reports most interesting and sue
cessful meeting devoted to forestry, tn
lecturer being Mr.. Hobson of that place
who has a practical knowledge of lun
bering and reforestation. The lectur
was illustrated by sections of wood an
of sawed lumber. The club has intei
ested the schools, so that studies OF tree
are being carried on in some grades, til
chairman of the forestry committee a
sisting the teacher in this work. The o
ganization of two chapters of the Aga
siz Association, one for children and or
for adults, is now being carried on, ar
it is purposed to obtain some space
the weekly paper for Forestry Notes
to be supplied by the committee.
The report of the Lyndon Union Cit
is most interesting This years wol
has embraced meeting devoted to 70
estry, with papers on Forestry in Il
Schools" "The Forestry Work of Il
Government" and Historic Trees
New England" Special efforts ha
been made throughout the year to int
est the townspeople in saving the sha
trees already growing and in plantii
trees about houses and along the roa
sides. The features of greatest intere
were the Arbor Day prizes, two, $40 al
$40 offered by individual members of t
club, and one So by the club, for the be
trees planted in the town during t
spring of 1908. These prizes were Civ
as a special inducement for the setti
out of both trees and shrubs, and tn
served their purpose well.
The Womans Club of Rutland has
forestry committee but has planned
add one during the coming season.
The Royalton Club has had forest
committee but at the present time its
tivities are turned in other directions.
The Friends in Council Club of Wiz
sor. have a forestry committee and t
subject has had place on the club pl
gram, papers by members and lectt
by State Forester Halves having be
given. The rural improvement comm
tee, recently incorporated as a regul
standing committee, works with
e-warden and the village trustees
save old trees and to plant new on
The school children are being interest
in the subject and every one connect
with this club seems to be awake to
beauty and value of the forests and
the necessity for preserving them.
The White River Junction club has
work to report for the past year but
the October meeting, Mr.. Halves lectu
and the club makes this an open meetil
The West Pawlet club has had {
meeting devoted to forestry and pla
for definite work in the near future.
Interest is very thoroughly aroused
this subject in the Waterbury club. {