The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1915-07-10
WHAT FORESTRY HAS
DONE FOR MARYLAND

In 1905 there was organized in
Maryland a State Board of Forestry.
The Board had for its executive head
State + orester, 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 iudicious man
agement which improves through use,
and which for many years had been
deteriorating in quality, while grow
ing appreciably less in area and guam
tity.
The forests of Maryland now cover
in the aggregate, over two million
acres of land, thirty-tive per cent of
the State. To set about the work of
improving so large a tract was not
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
meLt and care of the forests of Mary
land. A start was made in 1906. At
the present time the Maryland State
Board of Forestry has reached per-
manent and substantial footing. Its
work has steadily increased, new re-
sponsibilities have been added. and
today its Importance and usefulness
are felt in AL parts of the State.
In Western Maryland, the mountain
section, the Board is best known for
its system of protection from forest
fires. Seven observation or lookout
stations are now located there in adj
vantageous places. where a view of
the surrounding country may be had
Tor many miles. Forest fires, if they
spring up, may be easily seen and
quickly reported over a large area of
wooded country. The State Forest
Wardens, thirteen of whom act in
conjunction with the u. S. Forest Ser
vice as Federal Patrolmen, keep a
strict watch over such country
throughout the dry seasons of late
spring and fall. The State Forest
Wardens now comprise a force Of l3a
men, selected for their ability to per
form the required duties OF their
office. In three years the .oss in
Maryland from forest fires was re-
duced from S225,000 to So, 600. For
est Fire Protection in Maryland should
be judged by what it has accomplish
ed.
In other fields of endeavor def
mite program of work has been an
ranged and carrie> out. With any
new issue or work it almost always
becomes necessary, first of all, to
educate the people concerned to full
realization of its Importance and real
meaning to them. Since the organi-
cation of Forestry in Maryland a
campaign of popular education mas
been vigorously carried 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 exhibitions and
demonstrations il Forestry were
given at as many State and county
Fairs; nineteen educational exhibits
have been sent to Public Schools; and
siXty-tWo illustrated lectures have
been given before the churches, the
schools, clubs. oranges, and other or
CARNATIONS of the State.
The State Board Of Forestry has
acquired through purchase or gift,
257O acres Of State forest. In addi-
ton, there are several tracts of wood
land, amounting to l0'S acres. which,
by mutual agreement with their own
ers, are now uhdar the management
aid supervision of the Board. This
lagl is we'll di triouted over the State
and is being maraCed with IN eye to
its improvement through practical
app led forestry. II is he'd a. 4 pub
my, tHee Of @. t. enjoy the rasrga-
tic! and healthy no'times Of outdoor
life.
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