The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-04-26

by R. T. Patten)

bird life consist chiefly OIL rats and
other pestiferous rodents, snakes,
scorpions, bed bugs and other enc
mics of mankind. These regions
were once blest with abundant for
ests and grassy plains thru which
and over which roamed a happy and
interesting animal and bird popula-
ton. 1t is an appalling thing to
think about but the tendency In Maine
is probably in the same direction.
! The trees which once covered the
| 81 900 square miles of our state, ex-
cept for the still more beautiful wa
ter area, and which even now cover
a generous portion, are loosing ground
rapidly enough to cause the deepest
concern. AS the wooded areas are
reduced, of course the animal life,
which finds shelter therein, is pro-
portionately decreased. The decrease
of animal life is even greater than
the destruction of wooded area, SO
that while, for the present and pos
sibly the next succeeding generation,
there might remain considerable
forest area, it may become even in
our day, silent and almost tenantless.
There is sentiment and aesthetic
consideration which applies TO all this
but if that alone were to be depend
ed upon perhaps the case would be
hopeless. As sentiment has an I'M
portant ally in the fact Of economic
worth, the case, while desperate, still
! promises relief. If the public can
be educated as to the value OF our
forest area at all that 1t contains;
If we can come to understand that
the sporting and vacation patron
age which Maine enjoys and her re-
putation as "The nations play
ground" are birth-rights of tremen-
dous commercial value, perhaps we
shall wake up to preserve the for
ests with the deer, bear and other
animals before they become entirely
extinct.
1t is with reference to- the above
that the Big Woods Paget of the In
Reporter deserves the at
tention it is receiving by the pub
Usher and a good deal More appre-
citation and attention than IT is receiy-
ing by the general public. We get
an increasing number of letters
which indicate that more and more
persofa.s thru a continually widening
area, are coming to understand its
usefulness and at the same time are
coming to enjoy the things printed
therein. Still better, we get unsolic-
tied, an increasing number OF stories
pertaining to hunting, fishing, the big
woods vacation interests, etc. How
ever, if this page is to reach its max
imum of usefulness and is to do its
part in promoting the vacation inter
ests, in saving the forests of Maine
to be the play ground of the people,
it must have many times more than
the cooperation which it is now re-
ceiying.
/ OF course sympathy and co-opera
ton is first expected from sporting
camps and summer resort owners,
! from visiting sportsmen and vacation
lists, from guides, hunters and trap
| pers, lumbermen. etc, but you, read
er, are not exempt from Cuty in this
respect, whether or not you belong TO
the classes just enumerated II you
read the Reporter you undoubtedly
| live in Maine or have sometime lived
| or visited in this state. That being
| the case you have vital interest in
preserving the beauties of our noun
tains, hills, lakes, and valleys. How
can you help? There are multi
tude of ways. Anyone can write a
simple story concerning his expert
ences, his Impressions or his thoughts
in or concerning the woods and wild
life of Maine If you are vacation
resort proprietor or employee, you can
send story concerning your imme-
diate activity which will serve to bring
your establishment into favorable no
tice and undoubtedly lead to increas-
ed patronage. If you are one of
those who visit Maine from other
states to enjoy, even for few days
or a few weeks. its splendid scenery
and refreshing restful climate, you
can write about these things from an
other angle. With these stories, pic
lures, If available, should be sent, but
while of great assistance they are
not necessary.
In preparing these manuscripts II
may be borne in mind that they need
not he finished and in final form for
publication. 1t is desirable that they
should be, but you need not be de-
TERED because You have had no pre-
vious practice Qf such is the case) in)
writing for publication. Send in|
your notes or story in any form, how
ever rough We will convert it into
newspaper language, or, in case of
doubt, will submit you our draft
before publishing, 50 that you may
feel secure that it will finally be in
tIp form Won desire
The above article is too long. med
sured by all newspaper standards,
but the story that it has to tell and
the feeling which comes from our
most sincere thoughts and convictions
on the subject could not be made in
less space
Write us. Send something. Don't
be shirker on so vital a question
| Aid is not desired or expected in the
form of cash but we do count upon
the sympathy and assistance of the
public in the ways above indicated.
ROLOND T. PATTEN.
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