Philosophy of Botany. 259 



quantity of water flowing out of it throu2;lT the various streams during 

 different seasons; and of the Influence exerted on the regularity of this 

 flow by forest clearings. More than 750 stream measurements have 

 already been made, and much additional data of special value has been 

 secured. 



In addition to these investigations, I have given thorough attention 

 to the arguments advanced by the movers for the proposed park and to 

 those of their opponents, and as a result I am strongly of opinion that 

 this matter is worthy of careful consideration. 



I have the honor to transmit herewith a mounted original copy of a 

 large map, which shows in detail the mapping of forests accomplished 

 during the past summer over an area of nearly 8,000 square miles. A 

 full report of the work and of its results is now in preparation and will 

 be submitted for your consideration at an early date. The following 

 preliminary statement is made to bring before you without delay a 

 summary of the facts sufficient to set forth clearly the principal features 

 of the region and the plan: 



The movement for the purr-base and' control of a large area of for- 

 est land in the East by the government has chiefly contemplated a na- 

 tional park. The idea of a national park is conservation, not use: that 

 of a forest reserve, conservation by use. I have, therefore, to recom- 

 mend a forest reserve instead of a park. It is fully shown by the in- 

 vestigation that such a reserve would be self-supporting from the sale 

 of timber under wisely-directed conservative forestry. 



Extensive areas of hardwood forests within the region colored on 

 th(> accompanying map are still in their primitive condition, and these 

 are among the very best and richest hardwood forests of the United 

 States. The region in general is better adapted for forestry than for 

 agricultural purposes. It is located about the head waters of numer- 

 ous streams — sucii as the Ohio^ Tennessee, Savannah, Yadkin, and 

 Roanoke — which are important both for water power and for naviga- 

 tion. The general conditions within the region are exceptionally fa- 

 vorable for the carrying on of large operations in practical forestry, 

 and the weather is suitable for lumbering operations at all seasons of 

 the year. It contains a greater variety of hardwood trees than any 

 ether region of the United States, since the Northern and the Southern 

 species here meet. It is a region of exceptional beauty and picturesque- 

 ness; and although it would hot be easily accessible to visitors in all 

 parts at all seasons of the ye.ar, by far the greater portion of its area 

 would be easily reached and climatically pleasant throughout the year. 

 It contains within the forest-covered areas no large settlements or large 

 mining operations which would interfci'e with the management of such 

 a forest reserve, and yet there is a outficient population for the work- 

 ing and protection of the forests. Large lumber companies are rapidly 

 invading the region, and the early destruction of the more valuable 

 timber is imminent. Lands in this region suitable tor such a forest 



