622 



CONSERVATION 



Before this destruction was begun the for- 

 ests covered all this country except the plains 

 west of the Mississippi. East of the Missis- 

 sippi were the white and southern pine, 

 which have supplied the generations with 

 lumber; the hardwood forests of oak, ash, 

 hickory, and gum. West of the Mississippi 

 and the plains were the Rocky Mountain 

 evergreen forests and the Pacific coast for- 

 ests of redwood and firs. These were prob- 

 ably the richest forests in the world. Not 

 only did they represent a vast, untold wealth 

 in lumber, but they also had a direct and 

 tremendous effect upon the productivity of 

 the land. 



The roots of the forest form a great sponge 

 which, as a natural reservoir, holds the water 

 at the earth's surface. Where water for irri- 

 gation is the 'iife blood" of a community, the 

 first and greatest necessity is a forest at the 

 source of the streams. 



The forests also have a great influence 

 over the climate. It has been proven by 

 many observations that the temperature 

 within the forest in the winter is several de- 

 grees higher than in the open, and in the 

 summer is several degrees lower. This mod- 

 eration is due to the moisture of the forest 

 cover. 



Besides these inestimable effects upon the 

 vital interests of the entire country there are 

 the local uses. In the mountains the forests 

 are safeguards against snow slides and floods. 

 On the open prairies or by the sea they 

 afford protection against winds and storms. 

 Seemingly unconscious of the future and 

 with the same idea of our ancestors, we are 

 still destroying in hours what it will take 

 centuries to produce. 



What has been done with this mass of 

 wealth and power? The greater part of it 

 has been used in supplying the ever-increas- 

 ing demands of our growing nation. Al 

 though concrete and metal have replaced 

 lumber in some ways, it is still an undisputa- 

 ble fact that they have not reduced the de- 

 mand for hardwood. While they are finding 

 substitutes for wood in construction, they are 

 also substituting it for other functions. 

 Recently great areas of spruce timber have 

 been purchased by pulp and paper manufac- 

 turers. Already the pulp mills are meeting 

 a very large part of the naper demands of 

 this country. 



Every year large tracts of splendid forests 

 have also been criminally destroyed. This 

 devastation has been carried on by forest 

 fires. In the early years this method of de- 

 struction was encouraged because of its rapid 

 and thorough results. Now. although the 

 United States Government is taking every 

 precaution against these fires, men called 

 "timber pirates" succeed in burning large 

 areas in order to obtain the "dead and down" 

 timber. Had the destruction of this vast 

 wilderness of trees affected only the lumber 

 resources of the nation the result would have 

 been sufficiently appalling. The destroying 

 of the forests, has, in many cases, caused 



the disappearance of rivers and streams 

 which had their headwaters in the forest 

 reservoir. Even now, wtiile representatives 

 from the valley of our "Father of Waters" 

 are knocking at the doors of Congress for a 

 one hundred million dollar appropriation to 

 deepen the channels of this great river for a 

 navigable highway, we can hear the echoes 

 of the axes and the crash of the quivering 

 giants as they fall to the ground. Fell the 

 forests, dry up the reservoirs of the river's 

 headwaters, then ask for one hundred million 

 dollars to deepen its channel! 



The same source accounts for change in 

 climate from moderation to extremes, and 

 for the increase of destructive storms and 

 floods. 



If this reckless destruction continues, how 

 are we going to maintain waterways or 

 check floods? Where are we going to obtain 

 lumber and fuel for the innumerable de- 

 mands? Surely we do not expect to devise 

 substitutes for all its natural resources or to 

 impori it for its artificial uses. Yet if this 

 devastation goes on as at present, within a 

 short time we will be entirely without the 

 most useful servant to man, except the earth 

 itself. 



With these facts facing us, the broad- 

 minded men of this nation are awakening to 

 the realization of the tremendous significance 

 of forestry. They are considering it as the 

 greatest problem with which our nation has 

 to deal. 



What can we do? Preserve the remaining 

 forest. Make it the obligation of every 

 owner of a woodlot that he shall protect it. 

 Let him use the accumulating interest and 

 leave the principal untouched. 



Agitate the question of national and state 

 reserve?. Let the Government guarantee the 

 best care and protection for them. Further 

 than this, let the Government reserve tracts 

 of land suitable for new forests. 



Instruct the legislators to see that more 

 stringent laws concerning the growins and 

 cutting of timber be passed and more strictly 

 enforced. 



But more important than all this should 

 be the founding of good forestry schools, 

 ^lore bright and capable voung men should 

 be made interested enough in forestry to 

 make it their profession. To draw their at- 

 tention, the schools should be made popular 

 and attractive. 



If once our young men became enthusiasts, 

 their enthusiasm will arouse the nation. 

 Forests will be produced, preserved, and pro- 

 tected. Once more we will live in closer 

 communion with nature. 



•^ i^ «« 



Editor Conservation : 



I have been awav from our home in 

 Cartersville. Ga.. since June, but have 

 only had my interest in our forests 

 strengthened by the awful fires which 



