EDITORIAL COMMENT 



"Landscape Enginkering in the Xationae Forests" 



Under the above title/ Air. Frank A. Waugh has prepared a most 

 readable and interesting little pamphlet which every forester ought to 

 read and study. He follows this up by one on "A Plan for the Devel- 

 opment of the Village of Grand Canyon, Arizona.'' ^ 



Since both of these studies discuss some very important principles 

 involved in the proper use and best enjoyment of lake and stream, sea- 

 shore and mountain, it would seem valuable to get the opinions, espe- 

 cially of foresters, landscape men, and others who have to deal with 

 these problems. It is chiefly to make a start, then, that these lines of 

 an amateur are ofifered. 



Here in Michigan and in other parts of the Great Lakes country 

 hundreds of lakes are surrounded with lots ; backyards as well as pretty 

 front ones form shoreline decoration. The traveler is asked to keep 

 away by signs and dogs ; the lake is "closed," except to the boat, but 

 landing is verhotcn. 



Our beautiful rivers have been closed, have had their banks and bluffs 

 devastated. They have ceased to belong to the people ; they have ceased 

 to furnish the refreshing and restful diversion from city life. 



Why all this? Has it paid? Even our Atlantic seacoast for miles 

 is closed to the traveler by people buying large estates and fencing out 

 the public. 



Waugh's article on the "Summer Camp" brings out this same situ- 

 ation, and the questions naturally arise: Is it necessary? Is it good 

 policy? Is it not time right now to consider this and stop future mis- 

 takes, even if we are helpless regarding the past? ^^'augh apparently 

 had something of this kind in mind when he leaves a strip along the 

 lake as reserve {see map, p. i8). 



We bother our heads about the number of people per acre, the di- 

 vision of land into lots; but the first question seems to be: Should anv 

 private dwelling and ground (even if rented) be allowed on any lake? 

 Should a few hotels, boat-houses, and other truly public aft'airs be al- 

 lowed? Should anv structures and other human disfigurement be 



'U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, D. C, IQ18, 

 pp. 23 and 38, respectively. 



93 



