Arizona republican., 1909-06-11

darkness, and this adds much to the pleasure of a drive through the forest. It is especially fortundte for us and for future generations that in 1898 a considerable portion of this primeval forest was set aside ny the government as a forest reserve. It is a priceless possession that cannoC be too greatly appreciated. In this grea- forest the harmony 0f foliage and rocks and natural magniticeHCe is so conducive to eternal quietude that it lures one to camp life, and there are many ideal places for camping in the vicinity of any of the numerous Il Ountain springs.
 fife COconinO nIUinlal forest has available and for sale each year tim Der fut many mi lion feet of lum- Der. but all timber sold by the forest service is cut under government su- pervision and in such a manner as to prevent any danger of a denuded forest. Rules of forestry require that all trees must be cut within eighteen inches of the ground. The branches must be left piled in small heaps and burned by the forest officers. as a precaution against fires. The trees to be cut are selected and marked by an officer of the service, and the trees under fourteen inches in dia- meter together with a sufficient number of vigorous mature trees to reseed the cut area are left standing. Thus the government protects these lungs of the nation from the throt- ting grasp of the commercialism of the age.
 A feature about our forest that will appeal to our eastern friends is that it is free. one may drive almost where he will, and each drive has its own peculiar attractions. As re- storative for those who need a tonic the balsamic odor of the pine has no equal.
 Miss Sharlott Hall. who is perhaps the best known writer in Arizona, in an article on the Coconino forest, says: Forest has more than a ma terial value of human life. Its beauty and stength are a part of the larger heritage. It is the last frontier where the spirit of the wild has eternal refuge
 Our Indians.
 It would be difficult to find place where the Southwestern Indian could be studied to a better advantage than in Flagstaff and surrounding country The several tribes of this southwestern district compose one fifth of the Indians of the United States Those who wish to collect Indian baskets and curios will find many opportunities here to gratify their desires. Indians constantly ped dle their products on the streets and are so eager to exchange their handi- craft for the visitors surplus cash that the sign language does not seem difficult in trading with them. There areralso stores here having Indian de- partments which maintain or have connection with trading posts on the reservation.
 In the bible we read of the patience of Job, but what must we think of the poor Indian who works days and sometimes mOnths9 on a single basket It is said that the In- dians weave stories in the blankets which they make for themselves. which are handed down from one generation to another.
 The Indian villages are a source of unfailing interest, especially those of
 
 piles of rock rising in terraces above the hilltops on which they are built. and reached by winding and very steep trails. The Indian agencies are also splendid places for the student of the red man to increase his store of Knowledge. The Indian of the future will be quite different from the Indian of today. At the Indian schools the Navajo children are re ceiving the most competent instruc- ton, and being transformed into a state of civilization. .
 Though not as industrious as the white race the Indians of this region are such a peaceful, unobtrusive peo- pie that one can hardly connect them with the warrior races of the early history of our country Indian mail carriers between Flagstaff and neigh boring points is a bit of civilization with a fringe of aboriginal life. .
 Ethnologists tell us that there is no native race in America equalling