Evening star., 1921-09-09
us. WATERSHED.
CONTROL L|S.URGED
Federal Supervision of Rock
Creek Tree Growth Strong:
Iy Advocated.

Federal control of the watershed
of Rock creek in MpHtgomery county
Is strongly adyocatey7by Col. Sheriff.,
the engineer officer charge of.pub-
lie buildings and groSnds. in his first
annual report just Submitted to Gen.
Beach. chief of engineers. He says
| that such control is essential to the
improvement and perpetuation = of
| tree-growth and other natural fea-
lures of Rock Creek Park, the ZooloE-
ical Park and the parkway between
the latter and Potomac Park, near
the mouth of Rock creek.
Col. Sheriff. details the steps now
in progress -fo- the Improvement of
| the valley of the creek within the
District limits and for the protection
OF the trees and plants from fires,
due to the carelessness of picknick-
ing parties and other visitors. Many
blighted Chestnut trees have been
removed and about 5000 more remain
to be taken out. About 5000 seed
| blighted chestnut trees have been
planted on the cleared area Col.
i Sheriff. says that most of the exist
ing trees of sprout origin are value
less for development into a high for
| est OF extensive character and should
be replaced by better trees produced
from seed.
Preservation Essential ~
After referring to>the fact that an
efficient forester was engaged last
December to advise on all matters of
tree culture; protection and refores-
tration in Rock Creek Park. Col.
Sheriff. states his conclusions on the
general subject, in part, as follows:
Emphasis has been placed upon the
fact that the lands were bought by
Congress because the valley of tho
had certain peculiar and extraor-
binary CHI racteristics which gave II
special value for one particular pur-
pose, value unattainablc elsewhere.
a value which would be destroyed X
Congress did not act to preserve It.
would give incalculable enjoyment
and healthful recreation Of decided
educational value to the people Of the
Dttrict in. future generations Tho
preservation of this special value is
dependent upon a reaiizatioa and ap
probation of the multidfnpN1 features
Of tree and plant growth (which 60
to make up the peculiar beauty Of
the natural scenery of Rock Creek
Sssy STUDY this af Sa Ruspss
tions was started and conpl sted in
three months. IN the detailed work
notes were taken upon the character
of the growth, in every twenty-four
acre block in relation to the kind Of
trees. age of the trees. density Of the
stand, health of the stand, character
of the young growth in SPECIES and
density was given consider4 tion. to-
gether with the existencei OF sur
face growth and the quality Of
the forest floor. Because ,ofi much
damage having been done by repeat.
ed occurrence of suIface nres lin the
past. this last named feature was
given special attention. +
Public IndiRerence.i
I'm spite of the combined Aforts Of
the forester and the park mSinten-
ance force, tho indinerencS of the
public through carelessaeess with
smoking materials has caused mapy
fires. To stop these fires by public
realisation of damage done seduca-
4onal matter. setting forth the dam
age, done by surface free In and
around Wast1ng gton.r was PREPARED for
the use Of the natyre. 1tpdZ, t9achAf1.
In the District Erads Sck6SlI kpsd1ts
sttAntion.Wa411ts1n 1nsAesReSsad y
fof the daily papers 70 bffnl eSSSSt
greater public. appreciation s6f The
damage done by hres In the paff.T
Attention was given to the Sem6Fal
Of the large amount Of dead Sfest&ut
timber killed by canker bli& &ht Snd
the importance of replacing these
trees. which made uo no small part Of
q rather conspicuous portiop Of the