156 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Mr. Horner, of Emporia, Kansas, said that he believed that methodical State 

 management was the solution of the problem. 



ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION. 



Mr. William W. Pardee then read a paper on " Needed Legislation for the 

 Kocky Mountain Country." 



The following are extracts: Legislation is needed by the general government 

 and by individual States, for the preservation of the forests of the Rocky 

 mountain country, to the end that the streams may have sufficient water for 

 irrigation. Tne destruction of the forest growth must be checked. There- 

 fore prompt and wise action should at once be taken by the general govern- 

 ment, and by individual States within the said region of country, to check the 

 depletion of the said forest growth. 



The general government should have full control, and be largely to the ex- 

 pense of re-foresting and preventing the destruction of the remaining forests. 

 First, because the government owns the greater portion of said forests. Second, 

 because the various large streams having their sources in the mountains, flow 

 through other than the States or Territories in which they rise. Third, be- 

 cause it is the province of the general government to provide for the general 

 good of all the States and Territories, and to promote commerce. 



The soil of our plains in its native state only produces stunted grass, but 

 with irrigation water applied, it produces abundant crops. Water is to our soil 

 what life-bood is to the human system. Hence our deep interest in protecting 

 and promoting our forest growth, to the end that we may secure this water, 

 not only for ourselves, but also for generations to come. 



TARIFF ON LUMBER. 



Mr. Fernow then spoke at some length on the tariff on lumber. 



Mr. Merrick referred to the fact that Mr. Pardee had suggested government 

 aid. He thought that it was impossible to get the government to help them. 

 He said that Colorado had had some experience with the Government control 

 of public lands. If the people of the State expect any success, they must con- 

 sider the peculiar characteristics of the State. The government has sent tim- 

 ber agents from the Kast, but they don't know the peculiarities of the country. 

 The State of Colorado is better adapted to deal with the question than any 

 general government is. 



Mr. Pardee said that the gentlemen who had spoken were laboring under a 

 a mistake as to his paper. He had referred to all the arid country, and not 

 to Colorado alone. The State cannot do anything with the forests, because 

 they don't own any of them. If the State owned the land, that would be all 

 right. 



Colonel Ensign desired to endorse the views of Mr. Merrick. He then read 

 a paper on the "Management of Eocky Mountain Forests." 



The following are extracts: The forests of Colorado may well stand as rep- 

 resentative Rocky Mountain forests. The course of destruction will continue 

 until public sentiment is aroused to the necessity of protecting the forests. 

 Colorado alone, in this part of the country, has attempted to establish a system 

 of forest protection. Her laws are, however, weak and inefficient in many 

 respects. 



