The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-01-14
WHAT FORESTRY HAS
DONE IN MARYLAND
A Resume of The Good Effects of the
State Boards Supervision.

bodru Hau LOT It's executive head a
State Forester, and it was given him to
devise ways and means of handling
more wisely and with a greater degree
of profit the woodland of the State
woodland which until then had been
entirely without that judicious manage
ment which improves through use, and
which for many years had been deter
iorating in quality. while growing ap-
preciably less in area and quantity,
The forests of Maryland now cover,
in the aggregate. over two million
acres of land, thirty five per cent of the
State. To set about the work of i'm
proving so large a tract was not a
small task. Studies of the forests in
each county were made, a fire pro-
lection system organized to cover the
State, and such other methods were
adopted as might aid in the manage
ment and care of the forests Of Mary
land. A start. vas made in 1906. At
the present time the Maryland State
Board OF Forestry has reached a per
manent and substantial footing. It's
work has steadily increased, new re-
sponsibilities have been added, and to-
day its Importance and usefulness are
felt IN all parts of the State.
In Western Maryland, the mountain
section, the Board is best known for it's
system of protection from forest fires.
Seven observation or lookout stations
are now located there in advantageous
places, where view of the surround
ing country may be had for many
miles. Forest fires, if they spring up,
may be easily seen and quickly report
ed over large area of wooded coun-
try. The State Forest Wardens, thir-
teen of whom act in conjunction with
the U. S. Forest Service as Federal
Patrolmen, keep strict watch oyer
such country throughout the drv sea-
sons of late spring and fall The State
Forest Wardens now comprise a force
Of 135 men, selected for their ability to
perform the required duties of their
office. In three years the loss in Mary
land from forest fires was reduced from
$225, 000 to $40, 600. Forest Fire Pro-
lection in Maryland should be judged
By what it has accomplished.
IN other fields Of endeavor q 5efnite
program Of work has been arranged
and carried out. With any new issue
Of work it almost always becomes
necessary. first of all. to educate the
people concerned to a full realization Of
its importance and real meaning to
them. Since the organization Of For
estry in Maryland campaign of popu-
lar education has been vigorously car
rled on in all parts of the State. As
an indication of the growth in this one
branch of the work, it may be added
that in the year just past twelve ex-
hibltions and demonstrations IN For
estry we're given at as many State and
County Fairs; nineteen educational ex-
hibits nave been sent to Public Schools;
and sixty two illustrated lectures have
been given before the churches, schools,
clubs, oranges and other organizations
of the State.
The State Board of Forestry has &C
quired through purchase or gift 2,57O
acres of State forest. In addition, there
are several tracts of woodland, amount
ing to 1,03S acres. which, by mutual
agreement with their owners, are now
under the management and supervision
of the Board This land is well dis
tributed over the State, and is being
managed with an eye to its improve
ment through practical, applied For
estry 1t is held as a public park,
where residents of the State may, free
OF cost, enjoy the recreation and healthy
pastimeS Of outdoor life
In 1914 the State Forester examined
and prepared plans for the manage
ment and Improvement of twenty-one
separate pieces of woodland, in the
aggregate 2 005 acres of forest, which
from now on will receive the benefits
of improved handling and more ecCnom-
ic use. The forests of the State have
been mapped and estimated, and com
plete reports prepared for many Of the
counties.
In the same length of time quarter
of million young forest trees have
been planted by the Board, IS, 900 going
toward the reforestation of waste lands
within the State, and the remainder
for the establishment of State Forest
Nursery at College Park. Here vari-
cites of valuable trees best adapted to
local conditions of soil and climate are
furnished at cost to land owners who
may desire them for the improvement
of roads and streets, or retaining
waste lands with forest trees.
The passage of the Roadside Tree
Law Chapter 824, Acts of 1914 at the
last session of the Legislature was in
strumental in placing all publicly own
ed trees under the supervision and care
of the State Board of Forestry, at the
same time making the unauthorized