Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-08-29
GERMAN Forestry
Hon. ". A. BahIke Tells Of Scientific
Forest Growing in German
CONSERVATION A FEATURE
Government Has Supervision over Forest lands
Il No Wastes. Every Bit Of The Tree Utlllzea

Record the following interesting IN
terview upon forestry as it IS pur-
sued in Germany.
In most of the European countries
Forestry is under the charge OF the
government. European countries on
account of being much older in their
DEVELOPMENT and growth have realized
lone AGO the necessity Of conserving
their resources in all things, but III
nothing more, or more perfectly, than
in the conservation OF the forests III
! their care.
The problem connected with sue
cessful forestry has been worked OUT
and solved by the German people TOT
many generations, both from a prac-
teal and scientific standpoint a Suo,
stantial part OF valuable agricultural
lands and practically all OF the poor
lands arc given over to the cultiVa-
ton Of forests. The efficiency IN
which this work is done Is startllilg
70 an American who is only acquaint-
cd with extravaganza and Wasteful-
ness in the destruction of forests ana
utter neglect to replace them
"As soon as the forest has reachea
the noint where it has made It's most
valuable growth pro rata during
oer;od of wears. it is cut down and re-
n1aced with new trees. In all cases
thc kind OF tree is planted which can
make the gest growth upon the par
.;,n,ar ,H"I coll mon which it is planted
verv thick and permitted to grow
according to the kind OF tree TO va
rious heights and sizes. when the pr
cess OF elimination is undertaAen'
This is the segregation OF the Vi9ot-
ors tree from its less fortunate nelSh-
hor This is done so that the tree
tbat Is ultimately left will at no tune
he stunted in its growth 1t is purely
question of the survival OF the MT
test. As the tree begins 10 oo'e..
size. it is gradually trimmed on ilS
bodv so as to minimize as far as
possible the injury to the lumber
that will ultimately be made from the
tree from the presence of knots and
rot. The result is that the body of
the tree, permitted TO stand and OBJ
tain its greatest size, is perfect
specimen of its kind. All under
growth is kept removed from the
forest. After the forester has trimmed
the trees, cut down the underground,
: the same is removed from the forest
, and sold for frewood and other pur-
poses TO the peasant. No fire is ever
permitted to run through the forest
and burn the leaves. This is returned
to the soil for the fertilization of the
ground The trees that are removed
in the process OF elimination are
D taken to the country village and cut
as the demands of trade require and
sold at public auction by the govern
ment to the highest bidders
Highways or public paths are laid
through the forests, narrow as to
width, and kept perfectly clean Of
leaves and rubbish so as to furnish
a means of checking fire should one
be started and get beyond control.
Along the railroad tracks like effort
is made to separate the railroads
right of way from the forest proper.
r The arched highways formed by over
| lldISIlS llCCS - lOO anu
= beautiful to describe. They are tun-
/ nels through the forests covered with
| a luxuriant and refreshing green
: through which light pierces only from
v the ends. Shooting and smoking is
e forbidden. AS result these forests
{ abound in wild game of all kinds.
1 Deer are very plentiful They skip
4 away upon sight of the visitor but
a not in fear. 1t is not uncommon to
= see fifteen or twenty together in the
S wood or in the open and often to the
e very borders of the country 'dorf' or
= village
] Every government forest is in
. charge of forester and he is given
t sufficient help with which to care
9 for the acreage intrusted to him.
4 The number of help varies with the
, season of the year. The forester's
y home is one of great beauty but not
$ extravagant in its apartments. Pride
v is taken to have the work done as
5 we'll as it can be done by human
D hands and the work is periodically in
e spected much the same as the state
inspects the banks. In cutting down
the tree it is severed at the ground
: The body of the tree is barked and
a every portion of the tree is utilized
: for some particular purpose. Even
= the twigs or very end of the branch
D is made into brooms. These twig
p brooms are very convenient and dur
$ able and is the prevailing broom
used for street and stable cleaning
and other coarse work, and its usage
n is not uncommon in the peasants