The Washington herald., 1910-08-28

Before the years outing season is over
nearly half a million persons will have
sought recreation and health in the ma
tlonal forests OF the United States. with
the finest mountain scenery and much Of
the best fishing and big game hunting in
the United States, the national forests,
made more and more accessible each
year through protection and development
by the government. are fast becoming
great national Fairgrounds for the people
The use OF the forests for recreation is
as yet in its beginning. but is growing
steadily and rapidly-in some OF the for
ests at the rate Of 100 per cent per an
mum. The day seems not far distant when
a million persons will annually visit
them.
Go for Various Purposes.
The records show that the seasonal use
OF the forests runs from two months in
a Colorado forest. such as the Routt. to
twelve months in an Alaskan. such as the
Tongass. But the uses differ In Colo
RADIO 1000 visitors entered the forest TO
FISH, to camp. 10 climb. and TO drink the
medicinal waters; in Alaska 100 went
almost solely to hunt and fish The p 600
person who went into the Coconino For
est. Arizona. during nine months. went TO
camp or to enjoy the scenery During
four months 5000 persons visited the
Angeles Forest, California.
The most popular OF the forests is the
Pike. containing the famOus peak OF that
name. The various attractions within its
limits. including the scenic railway. drew
10000 tourists and others. BY principal
States the Iltional forest visitors num-
bered 1900 in Arizona. 10000 in Call
fornia, 10000 in Colorado. 1900 in Mon
tans, 1000 In New Mexico. $1,000 in Ore
gon. 22.0OO in Idaho 1900 in Utah. and
1900 in Washington
WRnders I'm the Forests.
or The natural wonders and landmarks
Of interest In the national forests, several
have been set apart as national monu-
mehts. among them Cinder Cone. Q great
lava basin in California; the ella Cliff
Dwellings. extensive remains OF pre-
histOri, race IN New Mexico; the unsur-
passed Grand Canyon OF the Colorado.
IN Arizona: Jewel Cave. South Dakota
Lassen Peak. the terminus OF a long line
OF extinct volcanoes In the Cascades: the
Pinnacles. a collection OF remarkable
Jagged PEAKS In California. and the Tonic,
group OF prehistoric ruins In the Tonic
Forest n Arizona. The Big Trees. GIa-
cier Park. the Petrified Forest. the Ore
gon Caves. and numerous other phenom-
ena serve 10 attract other hosts or Wis
itors.
Sportsman Finds Paradise.
The sportsman finds his paradise in the
national forest. In many OF them big game
abounds The rangers and the guards.
besides the service they perform against
the spread OF fire. often point out the
best site for the camper and the easiest
route. A record Of 9.2lS miles OF trail
cut. 1895 miles OF road laid out, and ASH
miles Of telephone line strung tell what
the government has done in the way Of
pushing the cOnveniences OF civilization
into the primeval forest.
The Gay OF the wilderness Of the savage
and the pioneer is swiftly passing; the
day Of the national forests as productive
resources and as national parks ap-
proaches. The report OF last years adj
ministration by the United States De-
partment OF Agriculture evidences the
rapidity Of the transformation.