The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-15
Word Of w a rn j n g to
Farmers and Others
Who Own BigWoods
SOURCEO WEALTH
| FAST DECREASING
How Farmers Can Save the For
ests-A Paper Full Of Valuable
Information-Inter e s ting
Figures Concerning the
Lumber Interest Of
the State.

At the request of Commissioner
Koiner. of the State Agricultural De-
partment, W. w. Ashe, spent good
part of last year in Virginia investi-
eating the timber interests, and lie
has filed with Commissioners Koiner
lengthy and very interesting report.
The purpose of Mr. Ashes examina-
ton was to devise methods of de-
veloping the earning value OF the
forest lands, especially the farm for
est to make recommendations con-
corning the profitable use of the waste
and idle land In the State. and to sug-
gest forest policy which should pro-
vide for a permanent supply OF tim
ben. for It's people.
In his exhaustive report Mr.. Ashe
warns Virginia that within less than
a quarter of century the old timber
upon which tho State has hitherto
relied, Will be exhausted. and the peo-
Pile will be DEPENDENT upon second
growth forests for commercial timber
of all kinds. and for the wood which
Is used for fuel. The local demands
| for timber will be larger than at
| eddy be smaller, and the reserve OF
| old timber will have been consumed.
\ The State must produce most of tho
| lumber and wood for Its own needs,
| since there will be no other nearby
sources of supply. Moreover. not only
| is 1t desirabl to produce the timber
| that the people need for their own
| use. but the forests ought to be de-
| veloped to their maximum yield, so
| that the exports of timber may con-
tinue to add to the wealth OF the state.
Must he Cared For.
In order to achieve these ends. tho
forests must be cared for as crops.
The young timber must be preserved
in order that 1t may form this future
source of supply. The forests must be
protected from fire. from disease and
from insect depreciation. They must
be conservatively cut. They must he
| systematically managed to stimulate
| the rate of growth and to reproduce
| the desirable species. Such views are
at present strange to the majority OF
/ landowners. who have had more H,,ta
Der than they needed, and to whom
the timber has been often a burden
and seldom a source OF income. To
bring about a realization of changing
conditions is a problem of education.
! The people must learn to protect for
ests, especially young forests, from
| fire as they protect other property,
and owners must appreciate the re-
/ sponsiblities of possession and the
\ possibilities of judicious management.
/
| understanding of the capacity of their
forests and develop them. 1t is adyis-
able that the State adopt a forest
policy. the chief purpose of which shall
be educational but which shall In
addition provide for cooperation with
, land owners and assistance in protec-
ton from forest fires until this sourcs
duced.
Valuable Suggestions.
1. There should be a State forest
| officer, with an advisory board conn
| posed of representatives of the forest.
| farming and affiliated interests. The
chief work of such an officer would
be to advise forest owners in regard
| to methods OF protection and manage
4 ment He should also superintend the
| execution of such forest fire and forest
j protection laws as may be enacted
and lecture at farmers institutes ty
2. The loss to the people OF the
I state from forest fires Is not less
| than $350,o0o a year. To prevent this
loss there should be means OF estab-
fishing a forest warden system In
1 those portions of the State where 1t
4 seems necessary. Although the forest
!, fire laws OF the State, especially those
4 relating to fires which originate from
railroads and from brush burning. are
4 drastic, nevertheless there are many
4 fires every year from both these
4 sources Some means of securing bet
j ter enforcement are necessary, and IL
I is equally desirable to lessen the
great number OF other fires that are
caused by carelessness. especially OF
hunters.
/ 8. There ought to be courses in
4 forest protection, forest management.
/ and conservative numbering IN the
State colleges; courses In forestry In
high schools as a part OF the nsricut-
ture Instruction. and practical instruc-
ton In woodlot management IN con-
ncction with farmers institutes,
l 4. There should be special recoE-
4 milton of lands designated By their
I. owners as permanent forests, and an
eouable adjustment of the methods OF
4 taxing them. Tho establishment OF
municipal forests. especially for the
1 protection of domestic water SUPPLY.
is necessary. Some provision should
be made for the acceptance OF gifts
az forest land 10 the State to be held
as sources of timber supply for the
people, and for the acquisition OF tax
sale land for forestry purposes.
S. 1t is desirable that there should
Il he some regulation OF numbering IN
forests which evidently have a pro-
tectiye function in relation TO stream
flow.
6. An appropriation should be mace O.,
for detailed examination OF tina
forest lands OF the state, in cooper
alton with the United states Forsss
, Service The objects OF this eNamina. !.
, ton should include the location OF
permanent and protective forest lanes.
: AN estimate OF the amount or tlmoer
l in tho State; the preparation q = :
! forest map. and the determination %
The rate of growth of the Important
; forest types
relation Of Forests to Farming.
Tho mana cement OF the farm Forest
! Is legttimately a part OF farm work.
: since nearly every farm produces .as
: least It's own supply or "ood o'i
!. iand 100 rough or poor for grass.
{ TILED crops or orchards. and on fertile