St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1910-07-29
CARE OF BRITISH FORESTS.
Ns~d for aud value OF Conssrvins
Them--under Control Elsewhere.

Ns~d for aud value OF Conserviaa
Them--undcr Control Elsewhere.
The increasing interest taken In
most civilized countries In questions
OF forest conservation Ia notable
proof OF the growth OF wisdom in the
utilization OF the worlds resources
For centuries. the London Times says
mankind was prone 10 regard forests
mainly as arenas for Wholesale and
often wanton destruction. The for
csta we're. as the Siberian peasants
still say. the gift OF God" 20 be used
or wasted without let or hindranee
Their effect upon rainfall and temper
ature. their value In preventing the
denudation OF soil. the large part they
play In the control OF rivers and the
preservation OF moisture. were factors
either not understood or disregarded.
Happily. most governments are nov
recognizing that forests are valuable
assets. both by reason OF the revenue
they produce and the direct and In.
direct benefits they confer. The steady
growth OF checks upon the reckless ex
ploitatlon OF forests is a wholesome
sign. Germany led the way In scientific
forestry. and her splendid woodlands
now a possession OF enormous value
have been 20 large extent under state
control for a hundred years. Austria
Hungary has long realized the Import
ance OF her forests 90 agriculture. par
tirularly In the Alpine provinces. and
has developed an efficient forestry sys
TEN. France has not only carried oui
large works OF afforestatlon on waste
lands. but has exemplifed the close
interdependence OF forests and water
supply In the Ofieial title OF her for
est department,
The vast forests OF Russia are slowly
coming under scientific control. In the
center and south OF Russia strin
gent measures OF regulation have beer
introduced. though the huge timber
areas In the north are still almost
without state care, In southern Sibe
ria the process OF forest determination
is now largely supervised, and il
Central Asia the very special value Of
the mountain forests as ''preseryerf
and distributors of rain" receives con
stant oficial attention, Norway and
Sweden have both began 10 appreciate
the fact that their valuable forests are
not meant solely for destruction. The
United States. already consuming
three times as much timber as the
country annually produces, is turning
with enthusiasm TO problems OF prae
tieal forestry.
II Is curious. and not a little regret
table. that. while so much activity ia
visible in other lands, the forests OF
the British empire have hitherto re
eeiyed comparatively seant scientific
treatment at the hands of the state
The one shining exception is India
whs.e an admirable forest department
Is doing excellent work. Canada IL
still chiefly engrossed in production
and gives little serious attention 10 the
restocking OF cleared areas. although
her productivity must inevitably di
minish in time.
Australia has not only failed to re
alize the immense importance OF for
est conservation. but in some quarters
at the antipodes the question Is even
regarded as a matter of little account
In the united kingdom the influence
OF forests on rainfall and water sup
ply is fortunately negligible issue
but the economic advantages OF
schemes OF afforestation are only now
arousing the belated interest OF tho
authorities.