Vernon Parish Democrat., 1921-08-25
FARMERS AND FeaESTERS
HOLD BIG MEETING


Summer Forest Camp here. The for.
est school is the first of its kind in the
South, being originated and main,
tanned by the Department of Conser-
walton, through its commissioner, M.
/. Alexander and Colonel T. d. Boyd,
President of the Louisiana State Uni
Xersity, with Major ]. G. Lee, Dept. Of
For. and Hort, L. S. u, 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 reforestrati.a were dis
cussed.
Mr. ]. K. johnson of Bogalusa pre-
sided as Chairman. Mr.. Geo. C. knight,
local farmer and a member of the
School Board, opened the meeting with
prayer. Professor ]. G. Lee made the
address of welcome. In his address
he emphasized the fact that forestry
and farming 60 hand in hand and
made a special plea that all idle acres
should produce either farm or timber
crops. An important point brought
out was the fact that the lumbermen
of Louisiana are gladly cooperating
with forestry, as once upon a 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. K, 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
q 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 that community would
gain either directly or indirectly. He
also offered free range to the local cit
fzens on the feneed-in areas of the
latest tract to be reforested.
The Hon. M. ]. 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-
journed for dinner.
After dinner Mr.. Dan Sheridan, local
timber and cattle man, stated how he
had for years fired the woods. About |
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-
He then asked the members |
present If they believed in fire protec- |
Lion, and if so, to stand up and pledge !
their full support and cooperation. The |
pledge was made by every male mem
Der present. Mr.. Fl. ]. Stahl, Farm |
Forester of the Department Of Conser-
Vation. gave a brief outline of his
work and how this would benefit the
farmers individually. He also asked |
Tor their cooperation in the boys for
estry club work.
Mr.. v. H. Sonderegger, Acting Su- |
Of Forestry Of the De- |
oartment of Conservation, gave a COM |
)arative analysis of the European and |
American forestry conditions, making |
special emphasis of the fact that pine,
+ given only half a chance, could re-
produce saw logs in S5 years as shown
n a demonstration plot at the camp. |
Various questions were discussed and
and in conclusion the meet
ng adjourned.
This gathering was the first success
ul local forestry meeting ever held in
he State Of Louisiana, it being the
Meeting of the farmers, for the farm
'rs, and in the interest Of fire preven-
ion and forestry, and the general opin-
on was expressed that active steps
must be taken to protect the range
against fire so as to improve the
rasses and reproduce a future crop Of
imber 1t was acknowledged that the
,reatest enemy to be combatted was
ire.
The by-word OF the Florida Parishes
Woods Fire Control Association is
Riches not Ashes" From all indica,
ions the season Of 1921-22 should show
N appreciable diminishing Of woods
Tres in the Florida Parishes.
Kno1vlaJga e H. onl,} rosJ - free-