Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1921-08-26
farmers AND F0RESTERS
HOLD BIG MEETING

Bogalusa, lathe citizens and
members Of the Florida Parishes
Woods Fire Control Association were
as guests of the Louisiana
Summer Forest Camp here. The for
est school Is the first Of its kind in tho
South, being originated and maine
tanned by the Department OF Conser.
walton, through its commissioner, M.
L. Alexander and Colonel T. D. Boyd.
President Of the Louisiana State UNI
versity, with Major ]. g. Lee. Dept. OF
For. and Hort, L. s. u, a. Director.
About $50 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 demonstration were dis
cussed.
Mr.. J. X. johnson Of Bogalusa pre-.
sided as Chairman. Mr.. Geo. c. Knight,
a local farmer and q member Of the
School Board. opened the meeting with
prayer. Professor J. q. Leo 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 lumbermsn
Of Louisiana are gladly cooperating
with forestry, a. 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 but
ruin the succulent grasses OF the range,
the fexfilty 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 REPRESENTATION
plans Of the Great Southern Lumber
Company and asked for the coopera-
ton Of all citizens. He wound up with
q statement that II this company's e.
perimsnts were successful. not only
would the Great Southern Lumber
Company benefit by them but also ev.
cry citisen in that community would
gain either directly or indirectly. He
also offered free range to the local cit
lzens on the fenced-in areas Of the
latest tract TO b reforested.
/ The Hon. M. ]. Sylvest, me@bez
Of the legislature, then followed and
laid stress on the fact that the great
est factor in successful undertaking.
is public opinion, therefore the public
must interest itself and help cooperate
In the enforcement Of the existing for
estry laws. The meeting then a
journed for dinner.
After dinner Mr.. Dan Sheridan, local
timber and cattle man. stated how hi
had for years fired the woods. About
q year ago he suddenly realized tht
heavy loss he had inSicted upon boil
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 member
present IL they believed in fire protec
ton, and II SO, to stand up and pledge
their full support and cooperation. TIT
pledge was made BY every male mem
Der present. Mr.. H. ]. Stahl, Farm
Forester of the Department of Conser
walton, gave q brief outline Of hi
work and how this would benefit tn
farmers individually. He also asket
for their cooperation in the boys FOL
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 conditions, maxim,
special emphasis Of the fact that pine
II given only half q chance. could n
produce saw logs in 81 years as show
in q demonstration plot at the camI
Various questions were discussed an
answered, and in conclusion the meet
Ing adjourned.
This gathering was the first success
full local forestry meeting ever held 4
the state Of louisiana, It being tn
meeting of the farmers, for tho farm
ers, and In the interest Of fire prevel
ton and forestry, and the general opiI
ion was expressed that active step
must be taken to protect the rang
against fire so a. to improve tn
grasses and reproduce future crop &
timber. n 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 indie
lions the season Of 1s21-22 should sho'
an appreciable diminishing Of wood
fires In the Florida Parishes.
farm FoREsTER'S