The Era-leader., 1921-09-08
FARMERS AND F0RES1ERs
HOLD Bio E.ETIEG

Gu jdlueu dS SutSLS OI luS LOuiSId1eS
Summer Forest Camp here. The for.
est school is the first Of its kind in the
South, being originated and mainr
tanned by the Department Of Conser-
walton, through its commissioner, N.
L. Alexander and Colonel 7. D. Boyd,
President of the Louisiana State Uni.
versity, with Major J. G. Lee, Dept. Of
For. and Hort, l.. S. T., as Director.
About 250 men and women from the
various Florida Parishes attended this
forestry meeting, bringing with them
large baskets filled with lunch and
other good things to eat. The forestry
camp furnished them with barbeCued
beef and goat and coffee, and everyone
had plenty. This meeting was very In
formal and the subjects of how to pre-
vent fires and the results that can be
obtained from reforestratiOn were dis
cusSed.
Mr.. ]. X. Johnson OF Bogalusa pre-
sided as Chairman Mr.. Geo. G. knight,
. local farmer and a member of the
School Board, opened the meeting with
prayer. Professor J. G. Lee made the,
address OF welcome. In his address
he emphasized the fact that forestry
and farming 80 hand in hand and
made special plea that all idle acres
should produce either farm or timber
crops. An important point brought
out was the fact that the mbermen
Of Louisiana are gladly cooperating
with forestry, as once upon & time
their ideas were all destructive log
ging, but through the rapid depletion
OF timber realize that now a plan
Of constructive forestry is essential
for the future. On the subject Of fire,
Major Lee emphasized the fact that
they not only kill young timber but
ruin the succulent grasses Of the range,
the fertility of the soil, and endanger
the improvements Of farms adjacent to
the cut-over lands. He closed his ad.
dress with the plea that the farmers
have more such meetings not only for
their social benefit but also to inter-
change ideas for successful farming
and forestry.
Mr.. J. X. Johnson made the response
to the address Of welcome in behalf Of
the citizens OF Washington Parish. He
described briefly the reforestration
plans of the Great Southern Lumber
Company and asked for the coopera.
tion Of all citizens. He wound up with
4 statement that II this company's ex.
perimeEts were successful, not only
would the Great Southern Lumber
Company benefit by them but also ev'
cry citizen in that community would
gain either directly or indirectly. He
also offered free range to the local cit.
!zens on the fenced.in areas Of the
latest tract to be reforested.
The Hon. N. ]. Sylvest, member
Of the legislature, then followed and
laid stress on the fact that the great
est factor in successful undertakings
Is public opinion, therefore the public
must interest itself and help cooperate
IN the enforcement Of the existing for.
estry laws. The meeting then ad.
1ourned for dinner.
After dinner Mr.. Dan Sheridan, local
timber and cattle man, stated how hs
had for years fired the woods. About
q year ago he suddenly realized the
heavy loss he had Inflicted upon both
the range and young timber; since
then he has fought all fires and has 90
operated with the Department Of Con-
servation He then asked tho members
present If they believed In fire proteo.
ton, and II so, 10 stand up and pledge
their full support and cooperation. The
pledge was made by every mals mem.
Der present. Mr.. H. ]. stahl, Farm
Forester Of the Department Of Conser.
vatton, gave brief outline Of his
work and how this would benefit tho
farmers individually. He also asked
for their cooperation In the boys ~.
estry club work.
Mr.. V. H. sonderegger, Acting gu.
perintendent Of Forestry Of the Do.
partment Of Conservation, gave com.
parative analysis Of the European and
American forestry conditions, making
special emphasis Of the fact that pine,
If given only half chance, could re.
produce saw logs in IS years as shown
in a demonstration plot at the camp.
Various questions were discussed and
answered, and In conclusion the meet.
Ing adjourned.
This gathering was the first success.
ful local forestry meeting ever held In
the state Of Louisiana, It being the
meeting Of the farmers, for the farm.
ers, and In the interest Of fire preven.
tion and forestry, and the general opin.
ion was expressed that active steps
must be taken to protect the range
against fire 30 as to improve the
grasses and reproduce a future crop Of
timber. It was acknowledged that the
greatest enemy to be eombatted was
fire.
The bs.word Of the Florida Parishes
Woods Fire Control Association Is
"Riches not Ashes" From all indica.