The state herald., 1915-01-22

RF the censors permitted, we would
be hearing frequently these days
Of battles in Herzegovina that
would make US think of how Han.
nibal fought his way through the
Alps, for down in that country there
steep. just where desperate fights have
taken place. that even Napoleon might
well have been deferred.
Warfare is bringing sad havoc in its
wake to the folk of Herzegovina. Not
only are towns being ruthlessly de-
stroyed. not only are the men and boys
mustered into the armies of Franz Jo-
zef and away, but, among others. in
vading armies are living of the coun-
Try and that means using up the great
herds of goats upon which the prov
ince largely lives. In fact, the one
trouble Herzegovina has ever given
the Austrian is its revolutionary spirit
over the goats. So true is this, so deep
the feeling on either side. that the
place has often been dubbed "a nation
at war about the goat!"
"The goat" Baron Ritt, governor of
Herzegovina, explained in an inter
view in Mostar. lis the great factor in
the life OF our people. A goat ranges
in value from $3.50 to $3.50 and a
mans wealth is often stated in terms
Of his herd. The state has long been
striving to suppress the goats. as they
destroy the vegetation which we feel
is the great essential for the rehabill-
tation Of Herzegovina; while the peo-
Pile who care nothing about reforesting
the mountains. for the beneft OF fu-
ture generations. raise the cry that
the goat is to them everything. and
that we are no better than despots.
All Of the Goat Utilized.
Their praises of the goat are. OF
course. well founded. As the rein
deer to the Eskimo. so Is the goat to
the Herzegovina. Hide and hair. meat.
milk. horns. all are utilized. Then.
too. the goat Is hardy and hunts Its
own food. wherefore the people ask:
why prefer the vegetation. which
there would be no animals to deyour.
to the goats. who seem already to find
all that they needr'
Accordingly. to pacify them, the
soattax has been made very low and
Il IL regulated by the number OF ami.
mails = man may possess, In direct
ratio. A peasant who has but ten
goats returning to his barns from the
mountains each evening. pays eight
cents \ head. while he whose herd Ia
100 strong. Il is felt. can pay more
per capita.
Now this In the governments side
OF the matter. Forests are absolutely
necessary TO Herzegovina. TO regulate
the climate. II for no other reason. We
need them. too. TO yield q humus. and
thus stop the spread Of the Karst. or
desert region. and we also need them
to regulate our water supply. We are
trying To reforcst and make the noun
tains green In order 10 get all these
benefits for the peasant. But he
doesn't see Il that way.
Different methods are being en-.
ployed To accomplish our purpose. Onr
Of the commoncst. In TO blast, with
dynamite. holes for the trees. then
carry soil 10 the pie and create here n
forest reserve. frequently what ap
pears from the road as q mere slope
Of rock is covered with tiny oaks and
other very young trees and Ia edged
with signs. prohibiting pasturnxc In
tho area. On the ally. however. and
frequently from mere lssincss or spite.
the peasant will drive his goats into
the area and then. when he Ia nned
heavily for the destruction that re-.
suits. he. too. becomes an opponent Of
the government.
Grating Forest Reserves.
According ~ these plants thrive st
the outset, we Judge II II win pay TO
plant further In the locality and also
In Just how many years such trac,
may be termed fertile. somo places
have been covered by green vegetn.
tion IN two years aud arc then held
~ reserve TO the end Of th. third
year. when they become partly for
entcd Sheep are the 1rut animals ad.
do not rise on their hind legs TO de.
YOUR the growing tops Of tho plants
Then. the year after opening TO the
ahccp. the cattle are admitted. m
these also DO not reach the tops and.
finally one year still later, the goat In
admitted. the Hbrubbery being now
nigh enough TO care for itself
Parallel plots Of these reserves afo
sid out over the province. 80 that
when plot 80 10 entirely reserved.
~ ihs no,' here are sheep aud ita