Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-07-13

Edna Nichols. Jackman: Grammar
school, Marjorie Merrill. skowhegan.
Kennebec County: High School,
Harry Mayors, Hallowell; Grammar
School, Annie Merrill. Harrington
School. Augusta. (First prize in
State grammar school contest.
Piscataquis County: High School,
Barbara Murray, Greenville Jet;
Grammar School, Priscilla Ellis, Milo.
(Waldo County did not competed
The Forests of Maine, Their Pro-
lection and Conservation
Few people realize the extent of
the great forest area lying in the
most Northeasterly corner of the
United States. Not many appreciate
comprise some 100000 acres-a
territory in which could be comfort
ably set the states of New Hamp-
shire, Massachusetts. Rhode Island
and Connecticut. A comparatively
small number of people understand
that the forest region of Maine rep
resents a taxable value of 100000
900, and a marketable value of over
$3.50, 1000, 900.
The forests of Maine are not alone
interesting because of their great
economic value; they are interest
ing because of the historic romance
attached to their development and
utilization. They are interesting be-
cause of the men and women, sturdy
in mind and body, that they have
produced, and still do produce. Ger
tain it is, that, surviving in vast ex-
tent the assaults of the lumberman S
axe and the devastations Of insect
IA
Names chief source Of wealth, the
fountain head Of by far her greatest
industrial prosperity and the back
bone of her commerce.
Time was when the saving OF logs
into lumber was the greatest of
Names industries, but today, the
greater part of the product Of the
forests is used by the pulp mills,
While the pulp and paper industry
leads all others In the State in the
value of its output. the number OF
it's employees and the amount of it's
payroll. Maine is, in fact, first
among the states in the consumption
OF wood pulp, and a very consider
able part of Americas current liter
ature is printed on paper made in
Maine.
Frena all this it is easy to under
stand why one third of all those en-
ployed in manufacturing industries
get their living from the woods, and
why it is that far seeing public men
are so anxious that the forests be
maintained at their present produc-
ing capacity. But there are other
reasons for saving the forests from
objectionable disappearance of the
forest growth, or an considerable
part of it would mean a future OF
alternating floods and droughts. ser
iously affect water storage and thus
limit the States Possibilities in
hydro electric development
Men who are familiar with the
forests and with the industries de-
pendent upon wood, say that, not
withstanding the statistical predic-
tons of famine. the annual consump-
ton of wood of all kinds today is no
greater than the increase by growth,
and they are quite cheerful about
the future-with one reservation.
These practical men OF the woods
declare that increased and constant
vigilance against fire is necessary if
Maine is to continue to get golden
eggs from its forest goose. There
exist already a system of fire pro-
lection that is quite effective within
limits of human possibility. But If
the woods are not to be burned up,
at wholesale or piecemeal. the gen
eral public must help great deal.
The State forest service, the pri-
vate landowner and the pulp mills
are bending their every effort to-
wards better fire control, battling
of tree diseases and other nenaces.
At many points of vantage in the
he
been set up by the State forest SER
vice. At these towers wardens are
on duty during the spring, summer
and autumn months; a complete sys-
TEN of telephones and patrols rad
late from central stations to these
lookout points. Airplane service for
forest patrol is under consideration
and it viii be but matter of months
before it is an established fact.
Forest entomology under the State
forest service and in cooperation
with the land owner is also an i'm
portant and vital study. The results
of this study will make the State
ready to combat and defeat the next
onslaught of the spruce bud worm
and other insects which devastate
our forests. Much work is also be-
ing done in protecting the white
pines pines from tse menace of the
blister rust disease.
Maine is interested in the further
development of her forest resources.
She is always ready to welcome
those who wish to join in the for
ward program for better and greater
utilization of her soft and hard
woods.