New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-29
GIVES SUMMER HOME
FOR FORESTRY SCHOOL
John R. Strong, New York Law
yer, Interested in Science,
Aids Its Cause.
100 ACRES IN CATSKlLLS
Will Be Used as an Outlying
Station by Students from
the University at
Syracuse.

The gift OF one hundred acres OF forest
land in the Catskills to the New York
State College of Forestry, Syracuse Uni
versity, by John r. Strong. as announced
yesterday, was brought about partly by
the fact that since the death OF Mr.
Strong's wife the place, which was used
10y them as a summer home, has been
filled with too many saddened memories
for him to wish longer to use ii for that
purpose.
Mr.. Suong's interest in the science Of
forestry and his own experiences as
a lumberman also were factors that
led him TO decide to dedicate the land TO
the uses Of the forestry school.
THE land is all original forest" said
Mr. Strong yesterday land has never
been touched for numbering purposes, al
though it is surrounded by denuded land
and land which is being slashed in the
most unscientifc and wasteful way for
lumber. The property l have given IS
thickly wooded with spruce and other
evergreens and hardwoods.
II am deeply interested in the problem
Of conserving the forest wealth OF the
country. but / know it is a thing that
cannot be solved by tho individual owner
He cannot afford it. 1T must be met by
the government l learned that Syracuse
University wanted to establish outlying
stations for experimental purposes. where
young men could be trained as foresters
and which would serve TO neighbOring
landholders as an illustration Of the best
use to which they could put their land
In company with Dean Baker of SYRIA
cuse University ! went over my land, aud
before it was accepted it was considered
from all points Of view. It was finally
decided that II would make an advan-
tageous location for one OF these Outly-
ing stations. This is a new project, and
one that ought TO get every encourage
merit The land ! have given is at an
elevation of 1900 feet in the Catskils, AMI
is typical of conditions to be met in that
region There is a saWmill near by, and
timber cutting is going forward on ad-
iacent property. Much Of the surrounding
land has a second growth coming up, and
experiments will probably be conducted
to determine just what is the best treat
ment for land under these conditions"
Mr.. Strong's summer home. which IS on
the property, goes with the land as a
part of the gift and will be available for
housing the experiment station. as wei
as the attaches and students. Mr.. Strong
has all eady conducted some small expert
ments in replanting on the property.
His interest in the subject of forestry
has been active for many years. lie is a
member of the American Forestry Asso-
citation. the Massachusetts Forestry As
ISOLATION and the Society for the Protec-
ton of the New Hampshire Forests.
The property adjoins Elka Park, near
Tannersville. Through it flows the Roar
ing Kill. Mr.. Strong, who lives at No.
III St. Nicholas avenue, is a retired law
YER His father was one of the founders
of the firm of Strong & Cadwalader lie
IS a grandson of the late Samuel b. Rug
giles, who gave Gramercy Park for the
use Of neighboring residents and was
prominent in the campaign for the en-
largement Of the Erie Canal.