The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1921-07-08

decay against which the tree. unaided
is helpless. 1t IS the function Of the
tree surgeon TO do for the tree what
the dentist does for the teeth and the
surgeon does for the human body. In
tho practice OF his art he must remove
the decay. disinfect to prevent further
decay, thoroughly waterproof to pro-
tect the exposed wood. put in place
various kinds and forms OF mechanical
nracing. often complicated and always
ingenious. prepare the cavity so that
the filing VIII remain permanently in
place. and then I'LL with skin and pre-
cision SO that the filling Will become a
permanent part Of the tree. Water and
all foreign substance must be excluded.
The filing must be cleverly built up
IN sections. somewhat like the back
bone in the human body. in order TO
permit a reasonable movement between
the sections in the swaylng and twist
ing Of the tree in heavy winds. Ma
tare rewards the.skiu OF human hands
by the gradual healing Of the bark
over the hlIlng. can not pass this
Interesting science Of tree preservation
without paying u little tribute to John
Davey. the nature lover and creative
genius who gave 10 the world ar in
valuable science. which he called tree
surgery. 1t represents his love. 1t is
the product Of his life of service. 1t
was born Of his faith and determina-
ton. II is the result OF his consecra-
ton to a great purpose; his contribu-
ton to the race Of which he is happy
to be q part.
but there Is one more phase of the
whole tree question that ought to be
hit a smashing blow. America must
wake UP and reforest or America Will
rule the day of her spendthrift de-
bauch. The early settlers sent back
word that they had discovered a land
Of i-nexhaustible fertility. Americans
Of succeeding generations have pro-
ceeded on the theory that all the Cod
given assets Of the Nation were mex
haustible. we have destroyed with
prodigal waste more and more OF the
native woodlands-the timber supply.
We have done exceedingly little re-
planting. We are consuming the prin-
cipal Of our inheritance Just as fast
as a reckless Will permit.
Where viii the future unber supply
come from? Where VIII we get the
wood pulp for print paper? We are
= " coping W 4y LIZ 1OA GAf0A4 AO%t0AS
and building great cities with breath
less haste We say we are creating
wealth. We are merely transforming
It on the one hand and destroying it
on the other.
Take a daylight ride across the Al
leghenies and look at the denuded
mountains, Contemplate the devasta-
ton that man. selfish and th~oughtless
man. has wrought! And then, when
you realize what all MS prodigal de-
struction means to the future OF AM
erica. let your soul shudder at the
t~hought.of the future condemnation
that awaits US from generations yet
unborn. We who revel IN our false
wealth and objectionable p~roagacy
must answer to the God Of nations and
the children whom we bring forth to
struggle in an Impoverished land.
Men and women OF America, we cut
down the great forests that blessed
this country. We allow the remnants
to be burned over L vegetation de-
stroyed. The rains pour down. and,
instead Of being held n check by the
loose and porous soil IN the network
Of roots. it PUSHES down over the hill
sides and carries with it the fertile
soil. leaving in its wake barren hills
and deep ravines
Thus we have alternating foods and
droughts. The fertile soil is gone. the
product OF hundreds o ~years Of ma
lures providence. The &ittIe springs