352 AMERICAN FORESTRY 



compromises with the political enemies of the national forest system and 

 refuses an appropriation adequate for thoroughly effective work. 



There have, however, unquestionably been great improvements in efiSciency 

 all along the line, and we may fairly hope to see some results this season in 

 the checking of conflagrations. The new cooperative arrangements between 

 the national and state governments, which are already being entered into 

 and will be made as fast as possible with states that can qualify for such 

 cooperation, are an important step forward and will, without a shadow of 

 doubt, be productive of valuable results. 



In forming judgment as to the results of defensive work during the season 

 there must always be borne in mind the natural difficulties, pointed out so 

 clearly by our fair-minded German critic, Dr. Deckert, in the article of which 

 we recently published a translation. In the great forests of our western 

 mountains ideal conditions of safety cannot be brought about except in a long 

 term of years. In the populous eastern states, however, with their wealth 

 of resources, there can be no reason for heavy forest fires except general public 

 negligence and parsimony. Upon those whose carelessness causes the fires and 

 upon the legislators who fail to provide sufficient police and preventive organ- 

 ization rests a heavy burden of responsibility. The carelessness of the Amer- 

 ican people with regard to the annual fire loss is a national disgrace, but if 

 we gave half the attention to preventing the burning of forests, which cannot 

 be replaced or insured, that we do to the burning of buildings, which can be 

 both insured and replaced, we should be in much safer condition than we 

 are today. 



A NATIONAL FOREST AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 



>v^E BESPEAK a thoughtful and sympathetic reading of Mr. Ellicott's 

 yij article on the project to which he has given so much unselfish thought 

 and effort, of a national forest to include the large area of wooded 

 lands between the cities of Washington and Baltimore, and a strip along the 

 Potomac near Great Falls. This proposal is in line with what we are begin- 

 ning to learn of the value of the forest for its products, its beauty, and the 

 opportunity that it gives for recreation. We are learning that forestry is not 

 alone for the great mountain wilderness. That our urban communities have 

 need of it, and that those which are fortunate enough to be able to acquire 

 municipal forests should do so while the opportunity is here. 



Washington is peculiarly favored in this respect. The country about it 

 is not so fully populated as to make land values high or to prevent the 

 acquisition of large areas for forestry purposes. Moreover, the natural 

 conditions, as Mr. Besley's report shows, clearly suggest the proposed treat- 

 ment. The resources of the nation stand behind the" development and beauti- 

 fication of its capital city. Here is the headquarters of the United States 

 Forest Service, which could make the best use of a forest at its doors for 

 either scientific or practical demonstration, and this could be done with the 

 greatest economy. As has also been well suggested, the Department of 

 Agriculture might have experimental farms in the area which would be of 

 value to the department and would be most accessible for study by the inter- 

 ested public. 



The ancient Swiss city of Zurich holds its great municipal forest, the 

 Sihlwald, among its proudest possessions, and it draws therefrom a rich annual 

 income both in cash revenue and in the healthful enjoyment of its people. 



