The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1921-08-31
FARMERS AND FORESTERS
RcLD BIG MEETING

D0B0AuS9s 1 AE CANtGGnA anu
members OF the Florida Parishes
Woods Fire Control Association wera
entertained as guests Of the Louisiana
Summer Forest Camp here. The for
est school is the first Of its kind in the
South, being originated and mains
tanned by the Department OF Conser-
walton, through its commissioners. M.
L. Alexander and Colonel T. d. Boyd.
President of the Louisiana State Uni.
versity, with Major J. G. Lee, Dept. Of
For. and Hort, L. s. u, IS Director.
About ESQ 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 Re
obtained from reforestraticn were dis
cussed
Mr.. ]. K. Johnson OF Bogalusa pre-
sided as Chairman. Mr.. Geo. c. Knight.
3 local farmer and a member Of he
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 go hand in hand and
made a special plea that all idle acres
should produce either farm or timber
drops. An important point brought
out was the fact that the lumbermen
Of Louisiana are gladly cooperating
with forestry, as once upon time
their ideas were all destructive log
cling, 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 bat
ruin the succulent grasses Of the range,
the fertility OF the SOIL and endangcr
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.. ]. K. Johnson made the response
to the address of welcome in behalf Of
the citizens Of Washington Parish. He
described briefly the demonstration
plans Of the Great Southern Lumber
Company and asked for the coepera-
ton of all citizens He wound up with
a statement that If this company's ex-
periments were successful, not only
would the Great Southern Lumber
Company benefit by them but also ev-
cry citizen in thu community would
gain either directly or indirectly. He
also offered free range to the local cit
liens on the fenced-in areas OF the
latest tract to be reforested.
The Hon. NJ ]. 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 pubic
must interest itself and help cooperate
in the enforcement Of the existing fer
estry laws. The meeting then adj
journed for dinner.
After dinner Mr.. Dan Sheridan. local
/ timber and cattle ian, stated how he
had for years fired the woods. About
i a 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 co
/ operated with the Department Of Con
/ servation. He then asked the members
/ present If they believed in fire protec
/ ton, and If so, to stand up and pledge
/ their full support and cooperation. TIE
pledge was made by every male mem
Der present. Mr.. H. ]. Stahl, Farm
Forester of the Department of Conser
walton, gave a brief outline of MI
work and how this would benefit the
farmers individually. He also asked
for their cooperation in the boys Tor
estry club work.
Mr.. v. H. Sonderegger, Acting Su
perintendent Of Forestry Of the De
partment of Conservation, gave com
parative analysis Of the European AM
American forestry cIuuAIlOhS' HAAAAA'
special emphasis Of the fact that pine
If given only half a chance, could re
produce saw logs In 435 years as show
in a demonstration plot at the eamI
Various questions we're discussed AM
answered, and in conclusion the meei
ing adjourned.
This gathering WAS lie first s''c"ess
full local forestry meeting ever held Il
the state Of Lou'riGna, II he.ng tn
meeting OF the farmers, for TIE far"
ers. and In the into-nst of fire proven
ton and forestry, and ma general opif
ion was expressed that active. step
must be taken n protect the rang
against fire so as to improve tn
grasses and reproduce future crop Q
timber. It was acknowledged that tn
greatest enemy to be combatted wa
fire.
The by-word Of the Florida Parishe
Woods Fire Control Association
'Riches not Ashes" From all indies
lions the season of 1929 should sho'
an appreciate diminishing Of wood