Evening star., 1911-06-11
Noted for Natural Beauty.

80
THE proposed extension of the national
forest along the Potomac river above
Washington includes a section noted for
its natural beauty. The steep hills on the
Virginia side of the river are well wooded
almost all the way from the District line
above the Great Falls On the Maryland
side of the river the slope is less abrupt
and there is more cleared land.
"The combined areas available for for
est reservation comprise about 10000
acres. of which practically 64,5oo acres.
or IS per cent, is now wooded. BY max
Ing the boundaries more irregular, or
excluding tracts that are nearly all
cleared land. the area might be reduced
and the percentage of woodlands corre-
spondingly increased. The presence of
cleared lands within the forest boundaries
would not be a disadvantage. The best
Of the farm land could be used as ex-
the Department OF Agriculture. while
those less adapted for agriculture could
be planted in forests. 1t is safe to say
that about $1,000 acres of the tracts men,
toned are typical forest lands already IN
forest or suitable for reforestation. There
are many foreign trees that have not
been fully tried in this country under
forest conditions.
Field for Experimentation.
The rate Of growth Of most of our ma
tive species under the most favorable
conditions as would result In planting
have not been determined. The field for
forest experimentation is. large and
promising one. which would find here the
ideal conditions for its fulfillment."
1t is pointed out that the undertaking
of such scheme will not only enhance
the beauties of the capital, but will offer
,14tf 90
countless transient visitors every form of
sylvan pleasure which the Inheritance of
past ages can suggest from periods when
the JOY of life and pleasure in beauty
went hand in hand.
AS to the cost of the project 1t is es-
timated that from two to three million
dollars would have to be appropriated by
Congress, but the government is assured
of handsome revenue without contem-
plating such extensive cutting as to ma
terialy diminish it's beauty and attrac-
ton.
Indorsed by American Forestry.
Commenting editorally on the paper by
Mr.. Ellicott appearing in the current is
sue Of American Forestry. recommending
the creation of national forest, the pc
riodical has the following to say:
I'VE bespeak a thoughtful and sympa-
thetic reading of Mr.. Ellicott's article on
the project to which he has given 50
much unselfish thought and effort. of
national forest to include the large area
of wooded lands between the cities Of
Washington and Baltimore and strip
along the Potomac near Great Falls.
This proposal is in line with what we
are beginning to learn of the value of
the forest for its products. its beauty and
the opportunity that ii gives for recre
alton. We are learning that forestry is
not alone for the great mountain wilder
ness, that our urban communities have
need of it, and that those which are for
tunate enough to be able to acquire mu
nicipal forests should do SO while the op-
portunity is here.
washington is peculiarly favored in
this respect. The country about it is
not so fully populated aS to make land
values high or to prevent the acquisition
of large areas for forestry purposes. More
over, the natural conditions. as Mr. Bes-
ley's report shows, clearly suggest the
proposed treatment: The resources of the
nation stand behind the development and
identification Of its capital city. Here is
the headquarters of the United States for
est service, which could make the best
use of a forest at its doors for either
scientific or practical demonstration. and
this could be done with the greatest
economy. AS has also been we'll sug-
geste6, the Department of Agriculture
might have experimental farms in the
area which would be of value to the de-
partment and would he most accessible
for study by the interested public.
Pride in Municipal Possession.
1.-The ancient Swiss city of Zurich holds
its great municipal forest. the Sihlwald,
among its proudest possessions. and it
draws therefrom rich annual income
both in cash revenue and i'm the health
full enjoyment of its people. This is
possible for Washington on an even
larger scale as becomes the capital of
this great nation. The project appeals
both to the imagination and to everyday
business sense. The environs of Wash
ington today are not a. credit to the city
or the nation. While We are spendin z
millions for public buildings, why not
designate very few of these millions
To make q fit setting for the afinnaI ciA ~