50 FOREST RESOURCES OF TEXAS. 



are already filled from local rains, the destruction is widespread. This 

 happened in the Brazos flood of Jul} r , 1899, in the Colorado flood of 

 April, 1900, when the Austin dam was carried out, arid again in the 

 Brazos flood later in the spring of the same year. 



It is the opinion of many who have observed the recurrence of these 

 floods for many years that they are growing in volume, if not also in 

 frequency a state of things quite to be expected from the breaking 

 up of the protective grass covering by overpasturage along the upper 

 courses of the rivers. Those who have ever seen the luxuriance of 

 this grass vegetation will appreciate how great an influence it had in 

 checking the run-off water and allowing it to sink into the soil. If 

 this cover could be restored, the upper prairie region would be as 

 efficiently protected as it could be by any timber vegetation capable 

 of being established there. 



It is in the middle courses of these streams, and on their numerous 

 tributaries here, that a protective timber covering is needed. This is 

 in the region of the Black and Grand prairies and the Carboniferous 

 area westward. We have already seen that within this region we have 

 the post oak of the Cross Timbers and the Carboniferous area, the river 

 bottom timber, and the cedar and other species on the hills and bluffs 

 along the river courses. 



The value of this' timber as a protective covering must be apparent 

 from what has already been said. Its A^alue as a source of local fuel, 

 fencing, and other construction supplies has long been appreciated, 

 because of the position of the region on the border of the endless 

 stretches of untimbered prairie. Under these conditions, it is the 

 opinion of the writer that the maintenance of the timberland here 

 may be left to the cooperation of the farmers and ranchmen who own 

 the land. Their own welfare will suggest it. There is needed only a 

 campaign of education on the part of the State and Federal Govern- 

 ment to cultivate a sentiment lively enough to lead to action, and to 

 diffuse information as to how to act in the matter. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



The forest preservation which the interests of the State of Texas as 

 a whole demand can be obtained only by the adoption of a definite 

 State policy. Such a policy, to meet full} r the needs of the situation, 

 ought to include not onl} T the fostering of private management, but 

 also the establishment of State reservations. It ought to be conceived 

 and administered on such permanent lines as to assure stable condi- 

 tions to those whose cooperation is necessary. It ought to be at once 

 scientific, availing itself of the best technical knowledge obtainable, 

 and practical, adjusting itself to existing conditions and finding its 

 support in the confidence and respect of the people with whom it must 



