RUTHLESS FELLING OF OUR FORESTS. 



9 



side, and completely clasping the stem. Bulblets forp 

 in the axils of the leaves, by which the plant is propa- 

 gated. The leaves and bulblets are used for salads and 

 greens, for which purpose the plant is occasionally cul- 

 tivated. 



Tetragonia expansa, Ait. [T. Japonica, Thunb.); 

 '^scg., Tsiiru-na. (New Zealand Spinach. ) It seems that 



this plant is not peculiar to New Zealand, as is generally 

 stated. Thunberg named it as a Japanese species, and, 

 according to a native work (Shiutei-Tomoku-Zusetsu), it 

 is wild along the sea-coast of central Japan. It is also 

 cultivated, though not extensively. It thrives on the 

 lightest sand, and is even useful in binding drift-sand. 

 Kansas Agriciillural College. C. C. Georgeson. 



RUTHLESS FELLING OF OUR FORESTS. 



MEANS FOR THEIR PROTECTION URGENTLY NEEDED. 



DURING a recent trip of about 200 miles 

 through the heart of the lumber region of 

 northern Wisconsin, I was more strongly 

 than ever impressed with the necessity of 

 instituting measures for the protection of our re- 

 maining forests. The havoc being made is some- 

 thing frightful. The modern lumberman, like a 

 demon of destruction, is sweeping through our rich 

 virgin forests, in his insatiate 

 greed cutting out the finest 

 portions, and letting the fire- 

 fiend at his heels lick up the 

 remainder. 



Hundreds of sawmills are in 

 operation along the new lines of 

 railroad that intersect the piny 

 regions. Hundreds more are 

 process of erection. New branch 

 roads are constantly being pro- 

 jected and built — mainly for the 

 purpose of stripping Wisconsin 

 of her forests in the most expe- 

 ditious manner. Night and day, 

 in an almost continuous stream, 

 the huge trains rumble up and 

 down these roads. The stream 

 of immigration into these regions 

 is astonishing. Long trains 

 packed with living freight of men, 

 women and children, of all na- 

 tionalities and trades, are con- 

 stantly in motion. Yet, in spite 

 of this great influx of population, 

 the cry of the lumbermen is for 

 more help. The work of destruc- 

 tion is not yet rapid enough to 

 suit them. 



Well, we are all selfish and in- 

 clined to reach out for what we 

 want ; but it has often been found 



necessary to protect people against their own selfishness 

 and improvidence. If ever such interference was need- 

 ed, it is now in this forestry question. It is a matter of 

 too great public import to be longer disregarded. All 

 thinking men admit this. 



The question, then, arises as to how the matter may 

 be remedied. I would suggest first, that all tariff be 

 taken off Canadian lumber, even if we do not build up 

 quite so many millionairesin our own country; secondly, 

 that all public forest domain be withheld from entry 

 and purchase, at least until suitable regulations for the 

 preservation of a portion of the timber thereon can be 

 made and enforced ; thirdly, that lumbermen be strin- 

 gently obliged to pile and burn the brush-tops and other 



/ 



-BOPLEURUM FALCATUM (MiSHIMA SAIGo) 

 (See page 7.) 



debris scattered over the ground in cutting the timber. 

 In no other way can these terribly destructive forest 

 fires be checked. The tops, boughs and foliage of the 

 pines, being of a very resinous character, are highly 

 inflammable, and should be disposed of while green, 



