Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-03-06

sheen to supply the demand A. c. Bige-
low, president x the Philadelphia Wool
and Textile Association, says here
is only one source left open now from
which we can secure an increase ot sheep
production. and that is in the farming
sections east of the Mississippi River,
and in the unused land areas Of the
south
At the present time the use Of our
national parks for grazing Is incxcus-
able. Sheep ruin parks for the use OF
people. They destroy one Of the great
, est attractions of the outdoor world -
the wild flowers But the sheep isn't
to blame. 1t is his nature To eat wild
flowers, and not only the blossoms. but
the plants and then the roots Al Crater
Lake National Park there isn't a wild
flower to be seen. Years ago sheep
grazed within the boundaries, and al
though they have not been in the park
for years, the ground is barren of flowers
PATRIOTISM A GUrsE.
There is a stock man in the west who
is making every effort to get permission
TO Craze thousands of head of sheep in
Mount Rainier National Park. This
park Is the most wonderful wild flower
garden in all the world This man.
together with others OF his kind. is ask
ing Tor grazing privileges during the
period of tho war Ii is An old in
s,dIous plan under tho pIise Of patriotic
motives. With wool and mutton bring
ing higher prices than ever before. VIC
find sheep owners willing 70 use national
parks for pasture for sheep at ten cents
head for the season Is this patriotism :
During these war times the American
people need their national parks morr than
ever before. And after the war the need
will be still greater The parks arc needed
as nature made them not despollcd
by cattle and sheep
Tho strength of a nation hes IN the
mental attitude of the peope And the
right mental attitude is very largely ac-
quIred by wholesome recreation in the
outdoor world especially in places of
scenic beauty. Such places as national
parks help us 10 maintain our strength
and courage and 10 gain a clearer vision
of the problems and the emergencies Of
life The English people admit that
they made a serious mistake in the carly
stages Of the war by ncglccting outdoor
recreation.
Early last summer there was some doubt
in the minds Of the people as t. whether
or not the national parks would be open
on account OF the war. Secretary Frank
lin n Lane CmphatiCallv announced
that they would he open as usual and
saId, 1t Is even more important now than
IN times Of peace that the health and
vitality OF the nations citizenship he
conserved Rest and recreation must
materially assist IN this conservation Of
human tissue and energy. and the ms
tIonai parks offer opportunity for just
this thing During this samc summer
the busy VAR wear of 1917 500 0o0
people found much needed rest and were
inspired to grester patriotism by visit
ing these matchless wonderlands,
II would bC 4 national calamity 1t
tho warring enemy could DESTROY the
natural beauty Of the United States
Grazing cattle and sheep in our national
parks Is a distinct step IN this direction
The grazing OF national parks dis
courages outdoor recreation II live
stock are In these parks there are thou
sands OF people who would not go 10
them. And there are other thousands
of people, who because OF the presence of
live stock, would naturally conclude that
these natural wondcrlands could he Of
no great merit for people If they were
used for cattle and sheep.
Our national parks the world un-
rivalled wonderlands are the greatest
places for outdoor recreation Grazing
IN national parks would he the death blow
to their supreme use This would weaken
us as a nation.
And you might let your Senators and
Congressman know that you value ma
tional parks. These men are so occupied
with war matters these days that it may
not occur TO them that there is even
possibility of an invasion of this kind
Let them know that you are eager 70
defend our public Fairgrounds.
Mrs. John d. Sherman.