Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-12-16
Methods Followed by European
Countries in Practical
Reforestation.
CULTIVATION OF MOUNTAINS
France, Austrin, Germany and Dem
mark Rchabilitating Dcnudcd
Forest Areas.

Europe is conqucring the waste land
problem by planting trees. Every year
thousands of acres OF land are being
reclaimed IN this way by the leading
countries and put In condition pre-
paratory to profitable timber harvest
In the years to come.
Not only many previously forested
areas which have been cut over have
been planted up, but a number OF the
countries are also devoting their ener-
gies to establishing a forest cover on
dunes and other waste lands, and in
fact, on all land which Is more valu-
able for producing timber than for
other purposes.
France has been one of the foremost
European countries in reforestation.
especially in the mountains, where
planting has been a powerful factor in
controlling torrents and regulating
streamhow The state each year buys
uncultivated lands in the mountain
regions and up to January. 1907. 1t had
ecquired 503.000 acres In this way
Communes, associations. and private
individuals are also assisted In rcfores-
tatlon work by grants of money. and
by supplies of plants and seeds. AL
together 249, 900 acres have been plant
ed through this public assistance,
Complete exemption from taxation for
q long period of years is granted In
the case of plantations made on the
tops and slopes of mountains. A re-
duction of three-fourths for all land
planted or sown, whatever its situa-
ton, Is also made.
REFORESTATION OF KRAST.
One of the most striking examples
OF the results OF planting waste lands
is furnished by the reforestatIon of
the "Karst" in Austria The Karst
was q stretch OF barren limestone
lands comprising some 500, 900 acres In
the hilly country along the Austrian
shores OF the Adriatic sea For CEN
turtles it had furnished the shiptlmber
and other wood supplies of Venice.
but excessive cutting, together with
burning and pasturing. had left 1t
waste almost beyond recovery. In 1866
the government began to OFFER help to
land owners who would undertake for
est planting there. Taxes were remit
ted for periods of years, technical ad-
vice was given, and plant material as
we'll as money were supplied.
At present over 100000 acres, or two
thirds OF the Karst are under forest,
partly as a result OF planting. at q
cost of IS or $40 an acre. and partly as
a result of protection which made
natural recuperation possible. In 1884.
| Austria also passed a reforestration
law to control torrents. This law car
and extensive planting work has been
| successfully carried out under 1t,
WORK IN GERMANY.
| Germany as a whole docs not have
| so much waste land which 1t is neces-
sary to plant. The Germans have been
practising forestry for so long a time
that the greater part OF the available
land Is already covered with forests
Some work. however is done along
this line. During the six years from
1901 to 1906 about 100000 acres OF LAND
suitable for forestry were acquired IL
Prussia, although part of this was al
ready wooded. All possible assistance
is also given to communes and private
owners in planting work. and in 1908
$4,000 was appropriated for this pIr
pose. Baden endeavors to encourag
forest planting by providing that al
private waste lands. pastures. fields
and uplands planted with timber. re
main free from taxation for a period o
20 years from the beginning of the frs
year of planting.
TREE PLANTING IN DENMARK.
In Denmark no fixed appropriation
made for acquiring waste lands, but !
the last rs years over $4,000 acres hav
been purchased. and recently the an
nual cost for planting has amounted
dunes along tho coast of Jutland fc
the purpose OF protection from drift
ing sand Is continuously going on.
addition to tho work which the stat
Is doing, annual grants are made to III
Danish Heath society. the special of
ject of which is to encourage tree plan
ing In Jutland. That the work pay
is shown by the fact that during u
last 10 years the average annual prof
from ail state forest lands has bee
nearly 100000.
WASTE TRACTS PROFITABLE.
Other European countries are col
stantly doing similar planting wor
Switzerland. for example, creates pr
lection forests wherever possible
planting, and whenever forests a
converted into farming and pastu
lands an equal area may be ordered r
forested. The great empire of Russ
likewise spends large sums annual
In planting. Belgium and little HollaI
are also active In making their was
lands productive through forest plan
ing.
Putting every aero Of land to Its be
use is the Idea about which the who
policy of the conservation OF nation
resources reyolves. and in the future Il
planting up of waste tracts in Il
United States is sure to be carried
extensively by private ownorS as w
as in the national forests and on sta
lands.