j6 Forestry Quarterly. 



previous denudation, or, in other words, how much would it 

 have been had the forests never been disturbed at all ? Is it a 

 clearly demonstrated fact that the preservation of Appalachian 

 forests would cure the streams of that or any other region of a 

 habit of overflowing their banks and causing damage ? 



" The /oiirnal is declaring no unfriendliness to the movement at 

 all, but like others interested in it, this paper would like to see 

 any hidden or weak or ambiguous or otherwise defective feature 

 of the case made clear before it is sent to Congress for final legis- 

 lative disposal." 



The Appalachian Forest Reserve project is certainlj' a good 

 one. 



The floods which arise in the region damage the low-land 

 country. The succeeding dry season threatens the prosperity of 

 the industries dependent on water power. The deplorable condi- 

 tion of the inhabitants itself demands remedy. The misuse of 

 the land as a timber producer calls for prevention. The timber 

 famine, which the last census shows to be in the near future, all 

 these are reasons which make it imperative that tlie region be in 

 government possession. 



It is, however, not onlj' important that the government secures 

 this region, but that when secured it be put under proper manage- 

 ment. 



It is the intention of the promoters of this new reserve project 

 to have it put under the management of the Bureau of Forestry 

 of the Department of Agriculture, under the implication that it is 

 to be used as an experimental area. 



If it is to be an experimental area it should come under the 

 direction of the Department of Agriculture. Yet is not four mil- 

 lion acres rather large to experiment on, when one hundred 

 thousand would do as well ? 



As a forest reserve with similar functions to the other reserves 

 precedent undoubtedly decrees that it be under the management 

 of the Department of Interior. But since the General I,and 

 Office service is almost entirely composed of political appointees, 

 and the Bureau of Forestry of the Department of Agriculture, 

 as a scientific body, is of men with professional education, the 

 likelihood is that the area would be best managed by the latter. 



