FORESTRY. 129 



FORESTRY, 



FORESTRY. 



BY CHAS. LEUDLOFF, CARVER. 



Forests not only furnish the necessary wood and lumber but also protect 

 against the scorching rays of the sun, maintain the springs, favor the 

 producing of rain, the moisture of air and soil and thereby the fertility of 

 the soil; further, they ward off the extremes of temperature and help to 

 keep the soil warm by protecting from too great a radiation. From the 

 leaves not only water is exuded but also oxygen during the day. The for- 

 ests therefore provide the necessary oxygen for all life. The forest has 

 great influence on the climate as has long been known. In the forests the 

 state has not only great lumber resources but also a great meteorological 

 factor to protect. It is not to be forgotten that the forests have certain 

 influences on the character and industry of the inhabitants. Also the 

 fauna of the forest should not be overlooked, the gay birds, especially the 

 songster, delight all who visit the forests, and if any game appears every- 

 one is glad to notice it, even if he has not tasted the joys of a hunter. 

 Therefore protect and foster the useful birds and squirrels of the forests 

 and prepare habitations for them by hanging up small boxes. The care 

 of the forests and game does not always go hand in hand, but the poetry 

 of the forests loses much if the woods and game are not properly cared for. 

 The best that the forests possess are their ancient and all-inspiring trees, 

 their permanence, and the imposing architecture of silent nature, which 

 is not easily forgotten. The high trees with their arching foliage and 

 their ancient, giant branches, with their wild scenery are more to the 

 lover of nature than the architecturt that science worships. Everything 

 has its time and the ancient tree must finally give away, but spare it 

 where its rare appearance warrants it, until necessity demands its removal. 

 But the old hermit, the witness to the power of natnre, and who has seen 

 centuries and whole generations with their history pass away, who among 

 millions of trees has his peculiar name, and who long ago has seen many 

 of the sons of the forest fall, allow him his place until the storm reaches 

 him and his last leaf has fallen. Then place in memory of him a young 

 tree, a memorial to him in the great forest. From the foregoing state- 

 ment the importance of the forest as the storehouse of nature and man- 

 kind is easily understood, and therefore we should desist our warfare 

 against it. The history of all civilized people teaches us that after de- 

 vastating the forests they found that they were losing ground in all their 

 industrial branches and they were compelled to replace their destroyed 

 forests, whereupon all branches of industry again became more prosperous. 

 It is to be noticed that where nature has placed her forests it is well not 

 to destroy them, but they should be fostered and protected, then the 

 otherwise barren heights and rocky slopes will then add prosperity to the 

 valleys and agricultural districts. Therefore we must be aware that we 

 do not follow in the footsteps of those nations who have devastated their 

 -8 



