PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 195 



of extinction of the native trees of this species is left entirely with indi- 

 vidual land owners. Many of these areas would come naturally in state 

 forest parks if these are to be established. What has been said of 

 white pine is true with other species such as the balsam fir. It would 

 be nothing short of a crime to permit a policy to run which would cause 

 the cutting of the last few trees of any important tree species, just the 

 same as it would be indefensible tor us to permit the extermination of 

 quail or other birds merely through lack of interest in their protection. 



A few years ago our attention was called to the rapid destruction of 

 the giants of the tree world, the sequoias, in California. The very lim- 

 ited areas in which these giant trees, some of which measure 44 feet 

 in diameter, were found, were in the hands of commercial timber dealers 

 who were ready to convert these oldest specimens of living things on 

 earth into dollars and cents. The people of the country rose up in pro- 

 test against the entire destruction of these forests which have been grow- 

 ing for nearly 4,000 years, and it was through the efforts of the National 

 Geographic Society that provision was made for taking the control of 

 these lands out of the hands of private individuals. Even though we 

 may not have tree species as interesting as these giants of the Pacific 

 coast, yet we have our own native tree flora wfhich is not to be dupli- 

 cated in any part of the world and portions of which should be preserved 

 for the generations which are to come. 



In conclusion, it will seem that the state forest park area is desirable 

 from many standpoints. Its aesthetic and recreational values cannot 

 be questioned; its scientific value in the preservation of native flora 

 will at least be appreciated by the scientific people of the state. In 

 addition, its value for the conservation of game birds and animals is 

 easily recognized and also its value from the business man's standpoint 

 is readily apparent. The continuance of the state park program which 

 has now been started, if extended to all parts of Iowa, will mark the 

 beginning of a splendid period of development in this state, which will 

 mean much not only to the people of today but those of tomorrow. 



FORESTS AND THEIR RELATION TO STREAM FLOW. 

 By Thomas H. Macbride, President State University of Iowa. 



Could our science by any plan devised guarantee this we s'hould de- 

 serve, if we did not receive, the grateful tiomage of all the future. The 

 report by Mr. Norton is but a beginning in this direction. Doubtless no 

 one more than the author of that valuable paper recognizes the truth- 

 fulness of this statement. To know the truth in regard to deep wells, 

 the extent of 'aquiferous beds, their sources of supply, their probable 

 content, and the depth at which they must severally be sought is infor- 

 mation of the most desirable and practical sort. But what of our sup- 

 ply of ground water? What of those superficial couches which give us 

 the prairie spring, the long winding creek, our creeping rivers? In this 

 direction lies a peril I believe for the state of Iowa today. There is in 



