The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-07-12
Requesting A
CRYING NEED OF
STATE OF FLORIDA

England is feeling so keenly the
need of far greater quantities OF
lumber than can be supplied from her
ver-diminishing forests that plan
has been devised for the afforestra-
ton. or restoration of vast areas OF
land to the growing of trees. True,
war time needs have made unusually
heavy drains on lumber supplies OF
the British kingdom. With normal
times and conditions Englands for
ests would have continued to supply
timber for some years to come the
ruthless destruction Of forests mean
while continuing. Now however,
England appreciates the value OF
forests to the extent that plans have
been formulated for afforestration of
immense areas of otherwise unpro-
ductive lands, the work to run
through the ensuing eighty years and
at very great cost to the nation.
The work to which the British have
applied themselves in practical
manner is by no means needed only
there. The need of work along SINH
lar lines has been realized in this
country and some slight effort made
to put it into operation, but here and
there in a more or less haphazard
manner. True, the proper govern
mental authorities at Washington
have for some years been giving a
measure of attention to forestry res
ervation setting apart and protecting
from fire and from wanton destruc-
ton forests in their natural state in
various sections Of the United States.
In some states action along similar
lines has been taken, in line Of con-
serving present forests but very lit
tie in the way Of providing new ones.
Generally speaking, work Of this
character has been insignificant in
comparison with it's Importance,
In Florida the preservation of the
forests or re-forestration has re-
ceived some attention, mainly in the
way of calling attention to the dimin-
fishing supply of timber in the state
and some little constructive effort to
replace timber taken for commercial
purposes. Not nearly anything has
been done that should be done tc
save Florida from an early timber
famine such as confronts England
There are those who point contented
ly to the fact that Florida still hal
thousands upon thousands of acre
Of growing forests. So she has, bu
they will not last many years longel
at the present rate of cutting ant
with nothing done to replace thu
trees that commerce and industry i
now demanding as never before.
To Florida forests are of immens
benefit, aside from their commercial
value in timber, turpentine and rosin
They are of even greater benefit whe1
considered with reference to climati
conditions and the general health a.
affected by the climate. Florida Cal
not afford to have her forests entire
ly destroyed or eliminated. They ar
one of the most valuable of all tn
assets of the state. They must b
conserved and replaced where alread,
destroyed.
Attention has been called in recen
sessions of the legislature to the i'm
portance of this matter of reforestra
ton but no practical method adopte,
toward conserving and replacing
Florida forests. The women of tn
state, through their Federation o
Woman's Clubs, have done a yer,
considerable amount of educationa
work for demonstration. Much NOR
needs to be accomplished however, t
put into practical and effective op
Grafton some plan or plans whereof
Florida shall not be deprived of he
forests and their accompanying bene
fits and resources.
Only recently it has been stated O
government authority, based on care
full investigation, that mot long az
information was compiled which al
tempted to indicate the number c
mills which will have o go out {
business in the south during the ne,
ten years." condition due to tn
rapid denuding of forest areas an
nothing being done to replant thos
areas. Reforestration in Florida
one of the crying needs of the times
viii 1t be heard and properly attent
ed to ere 1t is too late?-Jacksonvil
Times Union.
REAL ETSATE TRANSFERS