The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1911-02-15
I. ElliOtts NVp' .,t week

hnu mas, IN huultlOn, sucn Wnlte pine hS
has become large enough for merchant
able timber m well as that which has
grown from seed. The prevailing species
are hemlock, white oak, Chestnut and
hard maple, with such other hard woods
IN generally accompany these, and today
IL will rank well with the average virgin
forests OF the country, and Its destruction
should not be permitted. BY proper
management II could now be harvested
and vigorous growth come on, M has
the white pine referred to. II presents u
case OF preservative cutting, and the les
son should not be lost, II could be main
tained in productive perpetuity and
should be.
If the other forests of Pennsylvania had
been treated In The same way we would
not now be- confronted with an evitable
timber famine, fact which Is too plain
to deny or ignore. The truth Is we are
already experiencing that famine In its
first mild stages.
There Is also on the tract another class
OF forest area which deserves recognition
and consideration. This Is where the
merchanlable timber Of all kinds was cut
of some 80 or 40 years ago and socalled
second growth has come on. The small
trees left, and the seedlings that have
come up, now present dense and vigor-
Gus stand which will In 25 or 80 years be-
come large enough to harvest. There is
much white pine mingled with II, and rs
the height-growth of nearly all the
species has been substantially reached
the stand could be greatly benefited by
what is technically known rs Improve
ment cutting,"- that Is, removing defect
i've trees and such rs seriously interfere
with the growth of the most vigorous
ones.
1t will be thus seen that there are TO be
found on these separate and distinct
areas all the desirable conditions of
profitable forests; first, virgin stands,
then conservative cutting and natural re-
production, and, lastly, natural repro
| duction where all merchantable timber
| had beed removed aud 4 second growth
allowed to spring up, All this furnishes
an admirable lesson in practical forestry
and should not be lost, Ms 1t will be un-
| less forest destruction is prevented, |
| will add here that have no means of
| knowing Just how much of the tract Is
covered with any OF the particular por-
tions of forest growth which l have de-
scribed, for WAS shown no map that
would indicate II. l will likewise add
that could see no evidence of tire hay
ing ever run over any portion of the ter
ritory which have thus far described,
Besides the wooded portions mentioned
and described there is \ comparatively
small area which WAS numbered over
several years ago and over which fires
soon ran. This was largely on chestnut
aud oak bearing land which has now be-
come fairly we'll stocked with what is
known as "sprout growth" Much of
this area will, in time, naturally retorest
itself with those species, II fire is kept out.
There are some small areas of steep hill
sides along the Clarion river which will
be destitute of trees OF valuable species
for = long umo unless reforeststion by
planting is engaged in, but such area is
quite limited. There are, also, some
farms ON the highlands and some small
stretches Of cleared land along the river
The little village of Cooksburg-a part o.
the estate--is located at the junction o
Toms Run with the Clarion river and
forms a delightful contrast to the sur
rounding forests.
The geological formation of the tract il
what Is known as the Lower Carbonifer'
Gus measures. A thin vein of coal o
small area has been found, but that I:
probably all that ever will be discovered
Large Quarries Of excellent sandstone
could he opened, for in some localities
large blocks OF that, spproximating thu
size Of common cottages, can be seer
along the brow Of the hills overlooking
the river. No oil has been found bu
there are several producing gas wells OF
, the tract.
The description here given, though
somewhat brief and lacking in detail, i
still quite comprehensive in genera
way, Asa fSctor in forestry education
. aud conservation deem the acquisition
OF the tract by the State very important
Ifthe Legislature should authorize tn
, Governor to appoint = Commission Of eN
perts to examine it in detail and repor
their fndiugs, and their Recommendation
should be favorable, and the territory coul,
bo secured st Just and reasonable rates
my hrm conviction is that the State vii
fail In It's duty Il Il does not secure Il. l
would hc not only lesson in practical for
cstry hut II would be place for res, rec
roallon for our citizens which they vii
not have nh opportunity to enjoy shoul,
II not bc secured, II is easy OF access Il
lass than six miles from u branch Of tn
baltimore aud Ohio Rairoad-and II sd
dilional roads should ho constructs
through tho dense forests and 10 the mos
charming aud picturesque portions, II,
more delightful walks or enjoyable ride
IN carriages of automobile can he im
aeined
/ Respectfully submitted,
y, u. ELLorr
F.s,- Appended hereto will be loun'
seven photographs, Nos, ! aud : eNter
iot Of virgin white plne forests, Nos,
aud intetiot Of ssme, No Interior .
second growth. aud Nos 0 aud . view
ftem point ou the right bank Of tbs
Clarion tivet overlooking that sifesn
with mature and second growth ietest'
ON the right also submit seine views
furnished the hy Mt. A. W Cock, which
please return 10 hin At your convenience