The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1926-11-04
RICH POSSIBILITIES In
TIMBER GROWN In STATE
Maryland Forests Are Found to
Contain Tree Species of Great
Variety and Highest Value

Thousands of visitors, as we'll as
residents of this State, are delighted
every year with the forests of Mary
land, especially at this season when
all nature is donning styles for au-
tumn. The lavish blending of many
hues is producing vast symphonies of
color
Many who behold the glory which
attends Proserpine's annual farewell
to the living world believes with En-
erson that beauty is its own excuse
for being. The science of forestry
holds, however, that important
though woodlands are, from the aes-
thetic viewpoint, their economic i'm
portance is infinitely greater.
Serving, then, so we'll the interest
of beauty in this section of the count
ry, what is the commercial status of
Maryland forests? Is timber produc-
ton profitable in this State or can it
be made so?
According to F. W. Besley, State
Forester, Maryland is paying now an
annual freight bill of 100000 for
the Importation Of lumber.
By spending $4,000 a year in ad-
dition to the $4,000 now spent in
operation of the State Department of
Forestry, he declares that within thir-
ty years Maryland would be on a per-
manent basis for supplying its entire
lumber demand, with the exception of
a few species, such as teak and ma
hogany, which could not be grown
here.
The value Of these minor except
ions, however, would be more than off
set, it was explained, by the surplus of
pulp woods which could be exported
to Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Freight charges over a period of
thirty years at the above figure would
amount to S150,000,00O as compared
with the necessary expenditure of
S4,65O,OO0 over that period to develop
the present 2,22S,000 acres of wood
land in the State and to reclaim ap-
proximately 100000 acres of waste
land adaptable for timber growing.
Additions to the present work
which would be required to reach this
goal include improvements in fire
protection involving $4,000 a year,
$4,000 year to operate a tree nur-
sery producing 100000 trees per an
mum, $4,000 year for foresters to
cooperate with private owners in the
application of accepted forestry prin-
ciples in the management of their
woodlands, and S1,5OO,OOO over the
thirty-year period for foresting waste
lands.
In addition to encouraging and CO.
operating in efficient forest manage
ment on private timber lands, the
Maryland forestry program includes
the establishment of a number of
State forests.
These areas are being acquired to
serve number of purposes, including
timber production, conservation of
moisture on watersheds supplying city
water systems and power develop
ments, the provision of out door recre-
alton facilities and the protection of
game.
Ownership of 1927 acres of land for
State forests and control of 2,10O adj
ditional acres for this purpose have
been acquired by the State.
The Patapsco State forests, COM
prising $500 acres along the Patapsco
river from Relay to Hollofeld, is pri-
marily beauty spot and camping
grounds for Baltimoreans, and in ad-
ditlon, is an effective game preserve,
since hunting is not allowed and it
conserves the water supply which sup
ports seven power developments on
the river from Relay to Della, a dis
tance of eight miles
State forests aggregating 1887
acres have been acquired in Garrett
county for the purpose of producing
timber with the incidental recreation
al advantages and game production
while the Fort Frederick state forest
of 1870 acres on the Potomac river
near Big Pool is being used for ex-
perimental planting.
Virtually identical in character to a
state forest is the Loeb Raven water
shed of approximately 5000 acres
owned by Baltimore. Forest work has
been carried on here under the direc-
ton of J. W. Armstrong, liberation
engineer in the Bureau of Water Sup
ply.
AT cost of $4,000 since 1912, Mr..
Armstrong estimates that more than
100000 trees have been planted on the
area, including white pine, red pine,
Norway spruce, tulip poplar, black
locust, red oak, white ash, black wal
nut, catalpa, sugar maple, wild cherry
and hickory.
In the original forest, chestnut was
plentiful, but this was virtually des-
troyed by the blight and the woods
have now been cleared of the dead
trees.
According to Mr.. Besley, this area