278 FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION May 



ange trees of the city 'plaza have dis- Lumber An important statement 

 appeared to make way for more pre- Losses from regarding losses by fire 

 tentious plants that, unfit for the clim- to the lumber trade for 

 ate and inappropriate for the spot, pre- 1907 is sent out by the Lumber Insur- 

 sent the feeble and insignificant ap- ers' General Agency, of New York, 

 pearance of weazened and sapless compiled from the files of the Journal 

 consumptives." of Commerce. It shows that the num- 

 From the destruction of the fruit ber of fires in which the loss was not 

 orchards to that of the forests is but in excess of $10,000 each in the Unit- 

 a step. The work of the United States ed States and Canada last year was 

 Government in protection is attract- 332, with total losses of $12,623,000. 

 ing attention there. So far, happily, Allowing 15 per cent for small and un- 

 the damage done to the forests is com- reported fires, the average monthly 

 paratively slight. The enormous lum- loss reached $1,209,712 and the total 

 ber resources of the country are with loss $14,516,550. While these figures 

 few exceptions as yet practically un- look large, the year was in reality fa- 

 touched, and Argentina has a splendid vorable to the lumber business, indicat- 

 opportunity to show its wisdom and ing that the better methods of fire pro- 

 foresightedness by taking this action tection prevailing in the lumber indus- 

 before it is too late. trv have had their effect. 



THE CRY OF THE PINES 



By Anrie McQueen 



Listen! The great trees call to each other: 

 "Is it come your turn to die, my brotli 

 And through the forest, wailing and moaning, 

 The hearts of the pines, in their branches groaning 

 "We die, we die!" 



"We, who have watched the centuries dying, 

 The span of years as an arrow flying, 

 Ages seeming a day and a morrow; 

 Lo, we have reached the time of our sorrow 

 We die, we die! 



"We, who have stood with our ranks unbroken, 

 Breasting the storms, a sign and a token 

 That the gale must cease; and the wild winds staying, 

 Man, we shielded, is come, and is slaying 

 We die, we die! 



"Flaying the bark, and our bodies baring; 

 Like dim white ghosts in the moonlight staring, 

 Naked we stand, with the life-sap welling 

 Tears of resin, to gather for selling 

 We die, we die !" 



All over the land are the forests dying, 

 One piece of silver a tree life buying. 

 Listen! The great trees moan to each other: 

 "The ajhas scarred me, too, my brother 

 We die, we die !" 



Uncle Remus' s Magazine. 



