SOUTHEEK APPALACHIAN REGION. 



4. The I'ivers which originate in the Southern Appala- 

 chians flow into or along the edges of every State from 

 Ohio to the Gulf and from the Atlantic to the Mississippi. 

 Along their courses are agricultural, water-power, and 

 navigation interests whose preservation is absolutely essen • 

 tial to the well-being of the nation. 



5. The regulation of the flow of these rivers can be 

 accomplished only by the conservation of the forests. 



6. These are the heaviest and most beautiful hard-wood 

 forests of the continent. In them species from east and 

 west, from north and south, mingle in a gi'owth of unpar- 

 alleled richness and variety. The}'^ contain many species 

 of the first commercial value and furnish important sup- 

 plies which can not be obtained from any other region. 



7. For economic reasons the preservation of these for- 

 ests is imperative. Their existence in good condition is 

 essential to the prosperity of the lowlands through which 

 their waters run. Maintained in productive condition 

 they will supply indispensable materials which must fail 

 without them. Their management under practical and 

 conservative forestry will sustain and increase the resources 

 of this region and of the nation at large, will serve as an 

 invaluable object lesson in the advantages and practica- 

 bility of forest preservation by use, and will soon be self- 

 supporting from the sale of timber. 



8. The agricultural resources of the Southern Appala- 

 chian region must be protected and preserved. To that 

 end the preservation of the forests is an indispensable con- 

 dition which will lead not to the reduction but to the 

 increase of the yield of agricultural products. 



9. The floods in these mountain- born streams, if this 

 forest destruction continues, will increase in frequency 

 and violence and in the extent of their damages, both 

 within this region and across the bordering- States. The 

 extent of these damages, like those from the washing of 

 the mountain fields and roads, can not be estimated with 

 perfect accuracy, but during the present year alone the 

 total has approximated $10,000,000, a sum sufficient to 

 purchase the entire area recommended for the proposed 

 reserve. But this loss can not be estimated in money value 

 alone. Its continuance means the early destruction of con- 

 ditions most valuable to the nation and which neither 

 skill nor wealth can restore. 



10. The preservation of the forests, of the streams, and 

 of the agricultural interests here described can be success- 



