206 PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 



ADDRESS BEFORE THE MONTGOMERY (ALA.) COMMERCIAL 

 AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION, MAY 9, 1905. 



To the Commercial and Industrial Association: 



GENTLEMEN : In response to your Secretary's invitation, I have the pleasure 

 of meeting with you this evening. 



In common with several Southern States which formerly possessed large 

 areas of yellqw pine forests, Alabama now faces a condition of rapid forest denud- 

 ation, with no prospect of a continuance of the pine growth, while a very con- 

 siderable portion of your territory is unsuited for agricultural purposes or for 

 grazing. 



With the removal of the forests and the loss of income from the sale of its 

 products, the loss to the labor which has been engaged in its removal, the gradual 

 cessation of the manufacturing industries, as well as the transportation to other 

 localities, there will soon be a diminution of the revenues of your State and locality. 

 How to avoid the consequences attending such rapid destruction of your forest 

 wealth must concern every patriotic citizen of Alabama and the entire South. 

 It is not my intention to reflect upon any class of citizens or industry, but methods 

 may be fairly criticised and improvements suggested. 



The lands of a locality are of value for what they will produce. This may be 

 some kinds of minerals, certain agricultural crops, or grasses suited for grazing, 

 or possibly for the production of timber. Whatever may be their greatest benefit 

 for man's use should be the purpose to which they are devoted. 



The rich lands of many Northern States, once covered with forests, could 

 not have become what they now are, nor could States, cities, homes, manufactures 

 and business have been created without first sacrificing the forests. But they are 

 now gone, and all these regions are demanding lumber which you are expected 

 t- supply. 



Alabama possesses much land which is not suited for agriculture ; the him- 

 grass of Kentucky pastures will not thrive, and the lands are not of value for 

 grazing upon a large scale. There is a limit to the area which may be profitably 

 devoted to fruit, and that must be in close proximity to the lines of transportation. 

 The vine, except in a few locations, does not offer encouragement for extensive 

 wine production. Truck farming, while profitable and as yet only in its incipiency. 

 will not offer a solution for the use to which your thirty-three million acres may be 

 devoted. 



