Milford chronicle., 1930-01-31
Preserving Our Native Trees

It is characteristic of the native
modesty of the man that former
Senator Coleman du POnt should
disclaim any idea or desire that the
people of Delaware shall perpetuate
the remembrance of his generous
undertakings for this State in a
memorial of any kind, even such a
modest one as that proposed in The
Star last Sunday. The suggestion OF
The Star was that tract of land be
set aside in Delaware for a forest
preserve, and that this area be
planted with the largest specimens
possible of our native trees, and
further, that this area should be
dedicated as a memorial to General
and Mrs. du Pont as slight token
of the esteem in which they are held
by the people of the Diamond State.
General du Pont, as revealed in
the following letter, does not think
that the people of Delaware care
particularly about hanging his name
on to such a forest preserve, but he
does come out firmly and fOrcibly
for such a park and for the idea Of
reforestation, which he deems one
of the most important that can be
undertaken, when coupled with the
provision for a game and bird sane
tuary.
The letter of General du Pont is
as follows:
"The editorial in The Star Of De-
cember % is a wonderful idea, but
I don't think it would be good busi-
ness to name it after Coleman du
Pont or anybody else, because the
people of the State would > not
perhaps take the same interest.
"I would like to see park OF this
kind established in Delaware and
will do all properly can do to help
it. For five years back had the
idea for forming in Delaware the
Rod & Powl Club, which means Re
forestation of Delaware and Preser-
walton of Wild Life. have done
some reforestation, but it is hardly
commencement, and have lot been
we'll enough to establish bird sane
tuaries and other places for the
preservation of wild life, but 1t
should be done and the sooner the
better"
While respecting the wishes OF
General du Pont, founded, in our
opinion chiefly on modesty, since
the people of this State are only
too anxious to do honor to him, we
still think the suggestion an excel
lent one. However, the first thing
to do is to create the forest pre-
serve, and the naming OF 1t can
come later.
We agree with General du Pont
that re-forestation is an important
subject to consider, and such a
move, if feasible, cannot come 100
soon. AS was noted last Sunday
our native forest trees are dwinding
year by year, and likewise, our
game and birds are decreasing
though heroic efforts have been
made by our Game Commission in
restocking, and in the restriction OF
the open seasons. Creation of for
est preserve with game and blrd
sanctuaries would be most laud-
able and helpful project.
In this connection, we note that
the State Highway Department Is
planning to utilize the wide space
between the double highway from
st Georges to State Road, dis
tance of six miles, as State forest,
in which would be planted tree OF
every kind that is native to Della
ware. or is found growing here. Gov
ernor C Douglass Buck has express
ed himself as heartily in favor OF
the plan, which would be carried
out by the State Forester.
We hope this initial plan will go
through, and that the planting OF
such an area will lead to greater
and more general interest in the
setting aside tracts of land as State
forests. This much at least we
should do for posterity.-Sunday
Star.
Runor Ia the food of gossip.