Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-23

soil Is preventable erosion. Second
only to this are the waste, nonuse and
misuse of fertilizer derived from ami
mails and men.
The losses to farm products due to
Injurious mammals is estimated at
S130.C00oo0 annually. the loss through
plant diseases reaches several hundred
| million dollars. and the loss through
insects is reckoned at 1868, 900, 900.
The damage by birds is balanced by
their beneficent work in DESTROYING
noXious insects. Losses due to the ele-
ments are large. but no estimate has
been made Of them. Lcsses to live
stock from these causes are diminish
ing because of protection and feeding
during winter. The annual losses from
disease among domestic animals are:
Horses. Is per cent; cattle, per cent:
sheep. % per cent, and swine. 81 per
cent Most of these farm losses are
prcventable.
| There is q tendency toward consoli-
dalton Of farm lands. The estimated
area of abandoned farms is 10000
square miles. or about per cent of the
| improved land. The causes of aban-
donment offer in different parts Of the
country. Whore most prevalent it is
caused principally by erosion and ex-
hausticn of the soil.
! The product Of the fisheries of the
United States has an annual value of
100000. Fish culture is carried on
by the nation ard states on an enor-
nous scale Most of the more impor-
tant food species are propagated, and
several species are maintained In that
way. Fish from forest waters furnish
| sol 100000 worth of food yearly, a
supply dependent on the preservation
| Of the forests.
Our wild game and fur bearing ami
mars have been largely exterminated.
To prevent their complete extinction
the states and the United States have
taken in hand their protection. and
their numbers are now increasing. For
est game yields over SlO.O00OOO worth
Of food each year. With game birds
the story Is much the same
Each citizen of the United States
owns an equal undivided interest in
about 315 100000 acres of public lands,
exclusive Of Alaska and the insular
possessions. Besides this, there are
about 235. 100000 acres of national for
ests, national parks and other lands
devoted to public use.
Good business sense demands that q
definite land policy be formulated.
The national conservation commission
believes that the following will serve
as Il basis therefor:
First.-Every part of the public lands
should be devoted to the use which
will best subserve the interests of the
whole people.
Second.-The classification of all
public lands is necessary for their ad.
ministration in the interests Of the
people. sv
| Third.-The timber, the minerals and
the surface OF the public lands should
be disposed Of Separately
Fourth.-Public lands more valuable
for conserving water supply, timber
and natural beauties or wonders than
for agriculture should be held for the
use of the people from all except min
cral entry.
Fifth.-Title to the surface Of the
remaining nonmineral public land;
should be granted only to actual home
makers.
Sixth.-Pending the transfer of title
to the remaining public lands they
should be administered by the govern.
ment. and their use should be allowed
in way to prevent or control waste
ard monopoly.
The present public land laws as q
whole do not subserve the best inter
ests Of the nation.
Forests.
Next to our need of food and water
comes our need of timber.
Our Industries which subsist wholly
or mainly upon wood pay the wages
of more than 100000 men and wo
men.
Forests not only grow timber but
they hold the soil and they conserve
the streams. They abate the wind
and give protection from excessive
heat and cold. Woodlands make fcl
the fiber, health and happiness of the
citizen and the nation.
Our forests now cover $4,000, 00(
acres. or about One-fourth of the Unit
cd States. The original forests cover
ed not less than s50.000,O0O acres.
| Forests publicly owned cover one
fourth of the total forest area and con
tain one-fifth of all our standing tim
Der. Forests privately owned cover
three-fourths of the area and contain
four-fifths of the standing timber. The
timber privately owned is not only
four times that publicly owned. but /:
generally more valuable.
i Forestry is now practiced on 30 pei
cent of the forests publicly owned ant
on less than l per cent of the forest:
privately owned, or on only IS per cen
Of the total area of forests.
. The yearly growth of wood In oul
forests does not average more thar
twelve cubic feet per acre. This give.
total yearly growth of less thai
7,OC0, 100000 cubic feet.
We have oOO.0O000O acres Of matur,