Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-01-14
What Forestry Has Done
In Maryland.

a State Forester, and it was given
him to devise ways and means of
handling more wisely and with
greater degree of profit the woodland
of the State-woodland which until
then had been entirely without that
iudicious management which i'm
proves through use, and which for
many years had been deteriorating
in quality, while growing apprec'ably
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
improving so large tract was not a
small task. Studies of the forests in
each county were made, a fire pro-
t, elton system organized to cover the
State, and such other methods were
adopted as might aid in the manage
mpnt 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 all parts Of the State.
In Western Maryland, the mount
aim section, the Board is best known
for its system of protection from for
est fires. Seven observation or look
out stations are now located there in
advantageous places, where view OF
the surrounding country may be had
for many miles. Forest fires, it they
spring up, may be easily seen and
quickly reported over large area OF
wooded country. The State Forest
Wardrns, thirteen of whom act in
conjunction with the {, s. Forest
Service as Federal Patrolmcn, keep Il
strict watch over such country
throughout the dry seasons of late
spring and fall. The State Forest
Wardrns now comprise force of 30
men, selected for their ability to per-
form the required duties of their
office. In three years the loss in
Maryland from forest fires was re-
ducrd from S225,OOO to S42 900.
Forest Fire protection in Maryland
should be judged by what it has ac-
complished.
The State Board Of Forestry has
acquired through purchase or gift
2,51O acres of State forest. In addi-
ton, there are several tracts of wood
land, amounting to OBS acres which
by mutual agreement with their OWL
erS, are now under the management
ment and supervision of the Board.
This land is we'll distributed over the
state, and is being managed with an
eye to its improvement through prac-
teal, applied Forestry. 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
separated pieces of woodland, in the
aggregate zoos acres of forest, which
from now on will receive the benfits
Of improved handling and more eco
monte use. The forests of the State
have been mapped and estimated,
and complete reports prepared for
many of the counties.
In the same length of time a quar-
ter of million young forest trees
have been planted by the Board, 49,
600 going toward the reforestation Of
waste lands within the State, and the
remainder for the esta blishment of a
State Forest Nursery at College Park.
Here varieties of valuable trees best
adapted to local conditions of soil
and climate are furnished at cost to
landowners who may desire them
for the improvement of roads and
streets, or retaining waste land $
with forest trees.
The passage of the Roadside Tree
Law Chapter S24-Acts of 1910 at
the last session af the Legislature was
instrumental in placing all publicly
owned trees under the supervision
and care of the State Board of Forest
ry, at the same time making the un-
authorized posting of advertising
matter within any right of-way a
misdemeanor. :. In the six months in
which the trimming and cutting of