Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-03-14

rather than land, Is the problem for
agricultural development for a con-
siderable portion Of the state. 1t is
fortunate that the forest acts as a
great storage reservoir, holding the
snow late in the spring and checking
the waterflow, allowing 1t to permeate
the SOIL later to furnish our streams
with a continuous supply Of water
which is needed for the development
of successful crops.
Montana need not base her claim
to the title Of the Treasure state" on
the magic metals alone, for which she
is famous. Once she can turn the water
from her forested mountains on the
broad thirsty acres Of her plains, her
wealth viii be unlimited.
The end Of the eastern timber re-
sources Is In sight. In the Lake and
central states, empty houses, sawdust
piles and blackened wastes are the
markers left by the despoilers. The
shipment Of timber from the west to
the east has been steadily increasing
for the last 10 years. In another dec
ade most Of the important wood-using
industries Of the United States will
have moved west. One-half Of the re-
naming timber Is In the three Pacific
coast states. The paper mills are in
the vanguard and many eastern con-
Germs are seeking for suitable locations
In the west. There is ample pulp ma
terial for Montana's printing industry
and TO spare. In addition there is
abundant waterpower to run the wheels
Of this industry.
Needed
With proper management. Montana's
forests win produce an inexhaustible
supply Of raw material and insure a
permanent investment with constant
source Of income to the industries. The
national forests Of Montana comprise
IS 1913 900 acres, the largest forest
holdings in the state, which are man
aged under scientific methods by the
forest service to insure Their perpetu-
alton. Logging operations are conduct
ed so as to prevent all possible waste.
trees are marked for cutting to in
sure a stand for future use and re-
forestation of the area. The slash re-
sulting from cutting operations is piled
and burned to reduce fire danger. Our
state forest lands are similarly man
aged. Both the forest service and the
state are doing everything within their
power, with the available funds. TO
reduce annual losses from forest fire.
Fire Is the greatest menace threaten
ing the forests and will destroy our
vast treasure house unless every pre-
caution is taken TO prevent 1t. Privately
owned timber land IN the state Is given
more protection against fire each year.
The owners Of large areas Of valuable
stands Of timber have formed ass0cia- I
ions and cooperate with the federal
and state governments to eliminate
devastation Of the forests by fire.
More than so percent Of the fires
are man-caused and can be prevented. |
IN 1919, more than 100000 acres were
burned over In Montana and northern !
idaho, resulting In a total damage Of
(, O00, 900. A remedy for this appalling |
waste cannot be accomplished without |
he fun and earnest cooperation OF /
he public whereby all man-caused /
Tres viii be eliminated through dill
rent use Of fire In the forest. The in
woodsman hardly con-
'eives that a lighted cigaret stub or a |
ighted match dropped along the trail
" campfire left unextinguished, can
.ause a tremendous conflagration when
orced by the wind, greedily devouring
Everything In its path, transforming
liant trunks into bleak shapes to mark +
he once green and beautiful forest.
Help Prevent Fires
In Montana alone, there is destroyed
ach year approximately 252,0O0,O0
eet Of timber, enough to replace all
4 the frame buildings in two Of our
argest cities In Montana. In addition,
"a, 1000 acres Of forest land are laid
waste IN 1t, being Of but little use In
developing our industrial welfare for
sss than 100 years, when If conditions
re favorable, timber Of marketable
lie may again be produced.
There are 100000 acres Of noun
ain Land IN Montana. mostly timbered,