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Author: Rothrock, Joseph T.
Title: Areas of desolation in Pennsylvania
Place of Publication: Philadelphia
Copyright Date: 1915

Master Negative Storage Number: MNS# PSt SNPaAg084.4

.*V ^'ilST'^'.'i/v

eng

300
533

<1329709>*OCLC*Form:mono2 lnput:MKK Edit:FMD

008 ENT: 980325 TYP: s DT1: 1915 DT2: LAN

035 (OCoLC)38733272

037 PSt SNPaAg084.4 $bPreservation Office, The Pennsylvania State

University, Pattee Library, University Park, PA 16802-1805
090 00 SD144P4 $bR6 $cma $crbM 7436045*23851 726 $cpn*24205436
090 20 Microfilm D344 reel 84.4 $cmc+(service copy, print master, archival

master)
100 1 Rothrock, Joseph T. $d1 839-1 922.
245 10 Areas of desolation in Pennsylvania $cby J. T. Rothrock.
260 Philadelphia $bHerbert Welsh $c1 91 5.
30 p., [12] leaves of plates $bill. $c24 cm.
Microfilm $bUniversity Park, Pa. : $cPennsylvania State University

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preservation project. Pennsylvania) $f(Pennsylvania agricultural

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650 0 Forests and forestry $zPennsylvania.
650 0 Reforestation.
650 0 Waste lands $zPennsylvania.

830 0 USAIN state and local literature preservation project. $pPennsylvania
830 0 Pennsylvania agricultural literature on microfilm.

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PknxsylvAxMA Once had Hundheds of Square Miles of such White Pine as This.

It is Now Practically All Gone

AREAS OF DESOLATION
IN PENNSYLVANIA

T

BY

J. T. ROTHROCK, M.D., S.B.

rOKMEllLV COMMISSIONEU OK FOUESIUV OF PENNSYLVANIA

HERBERT WELSH

995 DREXEL BUILDING, IMIILADKLl'Ill A

1915

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Pennsylvania Once had ill ndueds of Square Miles of such White Pine as This.

It is Now Puactically All Gone

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AREAS OF DESOLATION
IN PENNSYLVANIA

BY

J. T. !?'»T!f!?orK, M.D., S.R.

I'ORMERLV (:oM.M1S>1()M:!{ OI l()Hi:>rHV Ol PEWSVLVAMA

HERBERT WELSH

995 DREXEL BUILI)I\(;. IMIIL ADKLrill A

1!)L5

INTEippNAL SECOND EXPOS UiE

What Would You Do: Restore Forests
on Non-Agricultural Land, or Im-
poverish the State?

Pennsylvania is divided into tAvo parts, a {)rosperous
and a desolated part. It is to Desolated Pennsylvania
that this paper refers. It eoncerns the thousands of
sciuare miles which wcTe robbed of the timber in ad-
vnnee of ;niv nplnnl Dorvl ,'uu] i]\o ti«il:od ^^^'^ '^^^'^ndoned
for fire and flooci to impoverish and make unproductive!

This land is not in one connecter 1 whole. It is
scattered ovc^r the* c(uitral parts of the State, on the
lii<z;hest j)lnteaus, about th(^ head-waters of the streams
and on the shaly sh)p(^s ol the inferior ridges. A<i;ri-
culture has been attcnnpted on a portion of it, l)ut
proved so uru'enumerative oftc^i that the land and
the farmer <2;rew poorer with each succeeding year.

If it were possible to gather these acres togc^ther,
they would make an area (SO miles long and SO wide,
which is al)out one-seviMith tlu^ arc^a of th(^ Stat(\

The lifetime of an individual is as nothing in the life
of a connnonwealth, for the ideal State lives forever,
and its highest function is to provide for its own pros-
perous perpetuity. Failing in this, patriotism lan-
guishes, and res})ect for govfnnment disaj)pears.

No Stat(^ in wh.i(*h one acr(^ out of seven is unj)ro-
(iucti\-e through nc^glect, or improper care, can be con-
sidcM'ed as on tlu^ high road to perpc^tual {)r()sperity.
To have its soil become poorer as its population in-

3

creases, means loss of power in eornparison with other
States whose natural resources are better managed.

It is an astounding statenu^nt that I make, when I
say, as I do now, that in my lifetime I liave seen prac-
tically one-seventh of this Commonw^ealth cease to
produce wealth, power, or food for the remainder of the
State !

In this estimate I have not included those portions
of the coal fields on which neither farms nor forests
are found, but w^hich already present so desolate an
appearance as to suggest the inquiry: What is to
lia})pen there when the mining ceases?

1VTv Histinrt rofolloction oxtoruls bnck nt lenst sixtv

years. The railroads were just opening the way to
the markets and, as a consequence, lumbering began
on a scale previously unknowm. What the rafts had
carri(Hl out of thc^ woods was as ^'a drop in the bucket'^
in comparison with what the railroads were to take out
to the centers of demand.

From the mouth of the Sinnemahoning, northwest to
the Allegheny River at Warren, 75 mih^s as the crow
flies, was an almost unbrokcni forest. Tliere was no
house where the town of Kane now stands. Ridgway
and Johnsonl)urg were just lifting their heads out of
the woods. I walked from Clearfield to Saint Mary's
and thence to Smethport — 60 miles; most of the way
through glorious white pine and hemlock forests, of
which hardly a vestige now remains. Those forests
are but a memory!

Do not misunderstand me. I have no contention
with th(^ lumbernuMi of those days. The* timb(M" was
th{M'e. It was mature. It was thoiujJii to be needed
as fast as it was cut. At least there was a market for

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creases, means loss of power in coinparisou with other
States whose natural resources arc better managed.

It is an astounding statement that I mak(\ wh(Mi T
say, as 1 do now, that in my hfetime 1 havc^ seen prac-
tically one-seventh of this (VommonweaUh cease to
produce wc^alth, ])ower, or food for the remainder of the
State !

In tlris estimate I have not inchidcnl tliose portions
of llic coal fic^hls on which iK^thc^r farms nor forests
are found, hut which ah'cady })r(\s(Mit so dc^sohiti^ an
appearance as to suggest thc^ incjuiry: What is to
happen tlici'f^ wlicn the mining ci^ases?

My distinct recolNv'tir^n extenr]< ]i^\ck at least sixty
years. The railroads were just opening t h(^ way to
th(^ markets and, as a conscujuc^nce, lumlxM'ing Ix^gan
on a scale previously unknown. What the rafts had
carried out r.f the woods was as ^^a drop in the bucket''
in comparison with what the railroads were to take out
to the centers of demand.

From the mouth of the Sinnemahoning, nortliwest to
the .Vllegheny lliver at ^\^'lrr(Ml, 7o miles as the crow
flies, was an almost unbroken forest. There was no
house whei"(^ tlu^ town of Kane now stands. Kidgwax'
and .lohnsonhurg were just lifting tlieir heads out of
the woods. I walked from Ch^arfield to Saint Mary's
and iIkmicc to Smc^thport -(')() mih^s; most of th(^ way
through glorious whitc^ ])ine and luMiilock forests, of
which hardly a vestige now remains. Those forests
are but a memory!

Do not misundei-stand m(\ I hax'c no contention
with the lumbermen of ihose days. The limber was
there. It was mature. It was thought to b(^ uccmIimI
as fast as it was cut. At least there was a market for

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INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE

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Such Hemlock Once Covered Hundreds of Square Miles wHir„ are Now Desolated and

Producing Nothing of Value

it— and such timber! Soft white pine, the cutting; of
which was a hixury; no knot to dull the knife or axe!
Who could blame the i)urchaser for refusing all but
the best, when it could be had at a reasonable rate?
No one wanted inferior grades! The lumberman could
hardly be expected to handle them at a loss to himself.
There was so much white pine that there was no market
for hemlock; when it (the hemlock) was cut, the bark
was stripped and sold to the tanner, but the logs were
left to bleach and rot where the tree fell. No end of
timber; no end of prosperity. Those were great times!

lUit an end did come. Those hillsides— black with
forest wealth, the State sold, timber and all, for 20^^
cents an acre — are lor tlie most part bare now. Fire
has swept over them and destroyed the new growth,
such as it was, and the snows of winter and the rains
of summer have washed the soil away, until many
farms that were started where the forests stood have
been abandoncMl because of the imj)overished soil.

The men who cut the trees and the men who sawed
the logs into lumber have left. The countrv is the
poorer because they have gone; for they were industri-
ous, strong-armed, brave-hearted men.

But how about th(^ land'^ Too poor to farm for the
most part, oft(^n without mineral resources, it was
simply abandoned, practically uncared for. To-day
one may safely say there are 3,000,000 acres of such
unprotected land in the State of Pennsylvania.

Sun^ly tlu^re nuist be fault somewhere; who is to
blame? No one in particular! As a people we were
dazed over what we thought the inexhaustibh^ stock
of timber. The tremendous increase of p()])ulation,
the enormous demand to b(^ made upon the forests,

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it— and such timber! Soft white pine, the cutting of

which was a hixury; no knot to (lull the knife or axe!

Who could blame the purchaser for refusinii!^' all but

the best, wlien it could be liad at a reasonable^ rate?

No one wanted infcM'ior graders! The lunibernian could

hardly be expected to handle^ them at a loss to hinis(^lf.

There was so much white pin(^ that there was no market

for iiemlock; wIkmi it (tlu^ luMulock) was cut, tlu^ bark

was stripped and sold to thc^ tannc^r, but tlu^ logs were

left to bleach and rot where tlic^ trec^ h^ll. No end of

timber; no end of prosperity. Those were gn^at timers!

But an end did come. Those hillsides— black with

forest wealth, the State sold, timbc^r and all. for 20^^

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cents an acre — are for tlu^ most part barc^ now. Fire
has swept over them a- d desti-oycMJ tlu^ nc^w growth,
such as it was, and the snows of wintcM* and the rains
of summer have washed the soil away, until many
farms that were started where the forests stood have
been abandoned because of the ini|)()V(^rished soil.

The men who cut the trees and the ukmi who sawed
the logs info lumlxM* have left. The countrv is the
poorer because they have gone; for ihey weie iiidustri-
ous, strong-armed, brave-hearted men.

But how about the land'.' Too pooi- to farm for the
most part, oftcMi without inin(^ral resourc(\s, it was
simply abandoned, practically uncanMl foi*. To-day
one may safely say t hei'c are :],U()(), ()()() acres of such
un})i'()l(M*t(Ml land in th(^ State of P(Mmsylvania.

Sun^ly the^-e nuist \)v Fault somewhere; who is to
blame? No one in })art icular! As a people we were
dazed over what we thought the inexhaustibh^ stock
of timber. The tremendous increase of pof)ulation,
the enormous demand to ]>(> made upon the forests,

Such Hkmlock Once Covered Hixdheds of SgrAiiE Mu.ks wH.r„ are X.,u Desulxtk,. xm,

Producing NoTHixG OF Vaue

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were not anticipated. And we cut and kept on cutting
and ^hut our eyes to the fact that the end was ap-
proaching.

The mistake was that we failed to reahze that pro-
duction of forests was the one predestined function of
our mountain ranges and stony ridges, and, of course,
as a consequence no one thought of putting them back
to timber— as Germany, France, or Switzerland would
have done. If productive forestry had been under-
stood at the time here, we might have had forests well
advanced toward maturity since the zealous cutting
for lumber purposes began, and the mould and soil
still remaining upon a fertile forest floor!

A irro'At wrong has been done the soil by our failure
to return to it the forest crop for which it was fitted;
and through wrong to the soil we have done a greater
wrong to those fot^ whom w^e, by divine appointment,
held the land in trust — our children!

Of those who did the lunilx^ring, comparatively few
became wealthy. The reward for their industry was
not great. Luml)er was thrust on to tlu^ market in
advance of actual pressing need, and the conseciuence
was that i)rices, even for the l)est, fcOl below a normal
rate; but, all the same, an irreparable injury was in-
flicted upon the country, a wrong so great aiid so un-
necessary that even the phenomenal develo)>ment and
prosperity of those days cannot atone for it.

Ignorance often invites, but seldom averts, a penalty.
^ To-day the lesson of China compels our attention.
To what extent can we, by prompt action, escape the
penalty invoked by violation of natural law when the
protecting forest cover was rcMuoved and I'uv and flood
mvited to do their worst on our steep, rocky slopes?

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were not anticipated. And we cut and kept on cutting
and shut our eyes to the fact that the end was ap-
proaching.

The mistake was that we failed to reahze that pro-
duction of forests was the one predestined function of
our mountain ranges and stony I'idges, and, of coui'so,
as a consequence no one thought of putting them hack
to timlKT— as Germany, France, or Switzerland wouki
have done. U |)r()(hi('tiv(^ forc^stry had been un(k'r-
stood at the time here, we might have had fon^sts well
advanced towaid maturity since the zealous cutting
for lumber purposes I^egan, and i]w mould and soi^l
still remrir-: ^g ui)on a fertile forest floor!

A great wrong has been done the soil by our failure
to return to it the forest cro]) for which it was fitted;
and through wrong to the soil we hnx-e done a greater
wrong to those fot- whom we, by diviiK^ appointment,
held the land in trust— our children!

Of those who did the lumbering, comparatively few
became wealthy. The reward for \hr\v industry was
not great. Lumber was thrust on to the maiiet in
advance of actual pressing need, and the conseciuence
was that prices, even for the best, fell below a noinial
rate; but, all the same, an irrei)arabl(^ injury was in-
flicted upon the country, a wrong so givat aiid so un-
necessary that even the j)li('n()ni(Mial development and
prosperity of those days cannot i\\nnr for it.

Ignorance ofl(Mihivites, but seldom avcMis, a i)enalty.

To-day the lesson of Thina conipi^ls our att(Miti(m.
To what extent can we, by ])rompt action, escape tlu^
penalty invoked by violation of natural law when the
protecting forest cover was removed and fire and flood
mvited to do their worst on oui' steep, rocky slopes?

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INTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE

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Bottom Lands Huuiri, in VVastp frov, n

Illustration from U. S. Geological Survey

A glance at the hills of Kettle Creek, Anderson
Creek, or the Sinnernahoning is a good preliminary
to the study of the torrent washed, treeless hills of
China! Tlie upper illustration facing this page repre-
sents a scene in Fou-Ping, Chi-li Province, China It
bears this legend: "Originally wooded; settled, cleared
ruined since 1725, that is 190 years of history." There
IS nothing remarkable in the scene. It is merely the
expression of a natural law. It is what we may expect
to have here as well as in China, if we leave steep hill-
sides unprotected by some effective cover. The lower
illustration, "A Pennsylvania Washout" (facing page
15), shows what one summer shower can do in the wav of
Coi.i.Heacing desoiation. J< very particle of matter on
our highlands is on its way to the ocean level, so long
as the law of gravitation exists. The more soluble the
substance is, the more rajjid is its descent to the water
level; lost to our prothu-tive acres.

A senator of the United States, a gentleman who had
made his fortune by lumbering, once stated in a pul)lic
meeting in Washington that the white pine was doomed,
that there was no help fcjr it, that it could not be re-
produced.

In mat((>rs involving essential public policy, senators
should be better informed. At the very hour of his
utterance white pine seed, grown from mature trees
in Germany, was being used in this country to produce
seedlings for use in our forest nurseries. It is further-
more noteworthy that this imported white pine seed
came from trees, or seeds, imported into Cermany
nearly a century ago from North America. It is fair
to say that white pine is among the easiest of our forest
trees to reproduce.

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A glance at the hills of Kettle Creek, Anderson
Creek, or the Sinne.nahoniug is a good preliminary
to the study of the torrent waslunl, treeh-ss liills of
China! The upper illustration facing this page; repre-
sents a scene in Fou-Ping, Chi-li Province, Chin.a. It
bears this legend: "Originally wooded; settled, clc^ared
ruined since 1725, that is PJO y,.ars of history." There
is nothing remarkable in the scene. It is merely the
expi^ession of a natural law. It is what we mav exp(>ct
to have here as well as in China, if we leave st'e<>p hill-
sides unprotected by some effective cover. The lower
ilhistration, "A Pennsylvania Washout" (facing page
15), shows what one summer shower can do in ihc uav nf
••oimnencmg (le,s„lation. I] very particle of ni;,ltcr on
our highlands is on its way to the ocean level, so l,,iig
as the law of gravitation exists. The more .soluble the
substance is, the more rajnd is its descent to the water
level, lost to our productive acres.

A senator of the Cniled States, a gent lem.an wli,, I,;,,!
made his fortune by lumbering, once stated in ,i public
meetingin Washington thai the while pine was doomed,
that there was no help for ii, ilial it could not I,e re-
produced.

In mailers involving e.-^seutial pnbhc policy, sen.ators
should be better informed. .\| tin- very hour of his
utterance white pine seed, grown from" mature trees
m Cermany, was being uscmI in this country to produce
seedlings for use in our forest nur.'^eries. I| is further-
more noteworthy that this imported white pine seed
tame from trees, or .'^eeds, imported into Cerm.'iny
nearly a century ago from \orlh America. It is f.iir
to say that white pine is among the easiest of our forest
trees to reproduce.

Ill,, , ■• • "''•^■'^' """i.vcK, China
Illustration from U. S. Oool„g,>al ,Surv

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Forests of white pmo, Rrown fr-o.n imrsory sovvji seed
are now well advanml on the Bih.nore estate in North'
Carohna. The earliest phintation on tlio forest reserve
at Mont Alto is now 15 feet high, and is in as thrifty
a condition as any of natural growth. What is true
of white pine is true of every other valuable species
of our native trees, with the possible exception of chest-
nut and black locust, which have foes of their own
I'.very forester, every nurseryman, knows this to be
rue. It IS time to make and insist unequivocally on
the statement that delay in reforestation of every
acre of land now practically abandoned in the State
ot f (>nnsylvania, unless it can be immediately set out
to some better use, will entail in future an enormous
expcnse-a debt whicn our successors must bear
Pror)er care of the soil is the most important function
of government, for on it not only the life of the com-
'"'inity depends, but the stability of the government.

How vast an undertaking this is can be realized only
by hose who carefully consider the problem. The
work will extend over so long a period, l,ef(,re large
financial returns can be expected, that it nuist .Mther
be (lone by, or encouraged bv, the State

Not only in the interest" of wood-using in.lustries,
'•>' "• iK' Hitemst of those requiring mechanical power
duty'" "" ' ^'''^''^'^'' «f «"r forests is a public

Every gallon of water that flows away unutilized

so much power wasted. In one sense it is worse

han wasted, because to do the work it might have <lone

the utihxation ol some non-rest orable source of power

was re.,,nred. Tor example, coal!

9

If on a winter day, after a period of freezing weather,

one goes into a forest on which there lies a bed of

autumn leaves, it will i)robably be noticed that the soil

beneath is not frozen; that an iron-r)ointed cane can

be easily thrust into the depths. The leaves perform

exactly the function for the earth that clothing does

for a man. They retain the heat— in the one case, of

the earth, in the other, of the body. In addition to this,

there is another force at work. The oxygen of the air

is uniting with the carbon of the leaves and a slow

combustion is going on. Thrust your hand into a

thick bed of decaying leaves or straw, and note the

heat. This heat, not in itself great, is nevertheless a

constant factor in prevenLmg the soii in tne torest

from freezing.

Change the experiment, go out on to the surface
of a field and try to thrust the cane into tlie depths of
th(> soil and one will discover that a resisting surface
prevents the iron from entering. It is the frozen surface
of the soil. This is a fair statement of facts for average
winter weather in the State of Pennsylvania. The
cold, in excei)tional cases, freezes the soil in botli woods
and fields, and, on the other hand, the season mav be
so mild as to freeze neither wood nor field .soil. Further-
more, in the woods where forest fires have destroyed
the bed of leaves the ground may be frozen, and, on
the contrary, a very heavy mulch of grass in an open
field may prevent the soil of the field from freezing,
but neither of these exceptional cases invalidates the
general truth that in winter the leaf covering of the
forest fioor prevents the soil beneath from fre(>zing
and that the absence of an e(iuivalent covering in the
field allows the soil to freeze.

10

There is a r,.n„„(>n belief tlui) open fields, if not
rozen when a considerable b,.dy of snow falls upon
then,, will remain unfrozen. This, however, is ,iot
always the case. In long-continued, severe, ircv/nm
vveather ground n,ay freeze even und(T a foot of snow
V\ hen a thaw begins and no water escapes from the
snow-bank, it is not necessarily because it is going into
the ground. Such water is often absorbed by the snow
un il the latter is saturated. When this occurs the
water may escape as surface water.

This all bears directly upon the question as to
whether or not forests aid in conserving rain or snow

The most positive evidence of the water-conserving
capacity oi ,u,.^t. may oe oi)served during a sudden
haw in .January or February, when small streams in
iarnnng regions are (,uickly made l)ank full by escape
<'f water over a frozen surface fro„, I>„t a few inches of
meiung snow. At the san.e time temporary l;,kes are
formed ,n th,. d.^pressions from which the water can-
"" '>-f-.'iF)e. Trials made of the fields show that the
water is not going into the ground. Examination made
" '"' ''<l.ia.Tnt forest floor shows that there is an active
absorption of water th.-re until actual saturation of soil

Such facts as these appear conclusive, even in the

loZr fr'" '''^'"'■"*' observations of the meteoro-
logical stations.

reduction of power has become one of the dominant
questions. That the supply of coal is limited, Zt i
"u.-t become more costly as the years pa.ss, that once
used It cannot be restored, is axiomatic

Squandering a non-restorable power to accomplish

11

work which can as well be done by a restorable power
IS almost a crime. Pennsylvania possesses a vast
undeveloped water power; just how much it is im-
possible yet to say. In this connection, however it is
important to insist upon the fact that the maintenance
aiid increase of this power are closely associated with
the restoration of our forests on such lands as have no
agricultural value, and especially upon the higher and
rougher lands of the State.

Recent reports inform us that 450 miles of the Chi-
cago, Minneapolis & St. Paul Railroad are soon to be
electrified, l)ecause (first) abundant power exists in the
great falls of the Missouri; (second) because one-horse
power steam costs annually SJ50, while the same energy
derived from electricity costs $40; steam is wasteful-
fire must be maintained while engines stand blowing
off steam on a siding; for electrical service you simply
cut off the power; (third) a freiglit locomotive runs
150 miles and then goes to the round house; an electri-
cal engme runs 1200 miles b(-fore being returned to
round house for rei)airs. I have made these statements
on what seems to lie competent authority.

It must be rcn)embered, th(> question of water i)ower
IS not one merely of the volume of rain or snow fall;
for much of that power might run out of the country
unutilized when business is slack. The most important
factor IS the volume of persistent power: that which
may be depended upon when needed.

It is in this aspect that the forest covering becomes
so important, because it is the water which soaks into
the ground and not that whicli flows off of the surface
upon which a sustained water supj)ly depends. The
fact is clearly established by our Government investi-

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work which can as well be done by a restorable power
is almost a crime. Pennsylvania possesses a vast
undeveloped water power; just how much it is im-
possible yet to say. In this connection, however, it is
important to insist upon the fact that the maintenance
and increase of this power an^ cl()s(4>' associated with
the restoi'ation of our forests on such lands as Inivv no
a^ricultui-al values and especially ui)on the hi<^h(M' and
rougher lands of the State.

Recent reports inform us that 4'){) mil(\^ of the C'hi-
cago, Mimieapolis & St. Paul Piailroad are soon lo be
electrified, because (first) abundant jM)\ver exists in the
great falls of tlu^ ?>Iissouri; (second) because one-horse
power steam costs annually $150, while the same energy
derived from electricity costs $40; steam is wast(^ful;
fire must be maintained while engines stand b!o\vin<2:
off steam on a siding; for electrical service you simj)ly
cut off the power; (third) a freight locomotive runs
150 miles and then goes to the round house; an electri-
cal engine runs 1200 mih^s before being I'eturned to
round house for repairs. 1 have made these statements
on what seems to be competent authority.

It must be remembered, the question of water ])o\ver
is not one merely of the volume of rain or snow fall;
for much of that })()wer nnght run out of the countrv
uiHit ili/ed w h(Mi business is slack. 1'h(^ most important
factor is th(^ volume^ of p(M'sist(Mit powt^r: that which
may Ije depended upon when needc^d.

Tt is in tins aspect that tlu^ forest covering ]:)ecomes
so important, bcM'ausc^ it is the water which soaks into
the ground and not tli:it which flows off of the surface
upon which a sustained water su})ply depends. The
fact is clearly established by our Oovernment invest i-

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gators tl.at the level of the grouiul water is steadily
beco.iiiiig lower; that in order to secure a permanent
water supi)ly for our homes we must dip; to givater
depths. We cannot well overestimate the importance
of this discovery; for the rapidity with which the water
level has lowered over wide areas starts very serious
questions as to the many future needs of a constantly
increasing population.

There is still another relation existing between our
forests and water in which we can readily notice the
danger of water on cleared ground. To put the prob-
lem in concrete form, study the condition along the
mam hne of the Peimsylvania Railroad near, say
Tuscarora Station. On the one side you have Juniata
River, on tiie oiher liie slope which lias descended a
thousand or more feet from a timber-covered, rocky
mountain. We will suppose that one of the torrential
summer rains has occurred a few hours before. On
the river side you will see a muddy, more or less swollen
stream. The nuuldy color is due to the wash from the
f(>rtile farm lands through which the river has come
It represents the best, most soluble jiart of the soil.
Its loss is in ev(>ry instanc(> a detriment to the farm from
which it has come. On the mountain side of the road-
bed you Will see many small streams tumbling down
over a rocky bed; but, if you observe closely, you will
hnd that the water is usually almost clear, sometimes
It IS wholly clear, and it is almost never muddy
though, owing to the steeper slo}^ down which that
water has come, the tendency to washing out of soil
was jrreater than on the river side. The reason is
plain : on the forest flooi- (he bed of leaves arrested the
rapid flow of water, covered and protected the soil.

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gators that the level of tlic ground water is steadily
becoming lower; that in order to secure a permanent
water supply for our homes we must dig to greater
depths. We cannot well overestimate the impoHance
of this discovery; for the rapidity \\i(h wliich the wjiter
level has lowered over wide areas starts wcv serious
questions as to the many future ihmhIs of a constantly
increasing pi)j)ulation.

There is stili anolhcr relation existing hetween our
forests and water in which we can readily notice the
danger of water ,m clearetl ground. To piit the prob-
lem in concrete form, study the condition alon- the
main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad ncar.%ay,
Tuscarora Station. On the one side you have .luniata
River, on the other the sioiie wincli lias descended a
thousand or more feet from a timher-covered, rocky
mountain. We will suppose that one of the torrential
summer rains has occurred a few hours before. On
the river side you will see a muddy, more or less swollen
stream. The muddy color is due to the wash from the
fertile farm lands through «iii-h the riv(-r has come
It represents the best, most sohil.le i,ait (,f the sod.'
Its loss is in every instance a detriment to tlic farm from
which it has come. On the mountain side of the road-
bed you will see many small streams tumhiin- down
over a rocky bed; but, if you olwrve cl(,sclv, vou will
find that the water is usually almost clear, "son ielim<.s
It IS wholly ckar, and it is almost never nuiddy
though, owing to the steeper slope down which tjiat
water has come, the tendency to washimr out of <oil
was greater than on the river si.le. The rcas,>n is
plain : on the forest floor tlie bed of leaves arrested the
rapid flow of water, covered and protected the soil,

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while the roots descending between tlie rocks served
as hnes along which much of the water penetrated into
the depths.

Fertile soil is perhaps the most precious inheritance
we have received from the long j)ast. It forms but a
small part of the earth upon w^hich we tread. Once
removed, or destroyed, it is with great difficulty re-
stored. Without it no crop can be raised. In the
eternal round of things it is constantly moving to the
ocean level, and is constantly being formed again.
The rate of its removal and the rate of its formation
are the factors which determine whether the capacity
for production of food is increasing or diminishing.
On the farms the one problem is how to mn in tain tlio
fertility of the soil; in tlie forest the soil of itself re-
news its fertility.

]^ut under all conditions there is a certain wear of the
earth's surface. It is greatest on steep, treeless sloj^es,
unless they be so rocky as to resist erosion. There are
thousands of acres of such steep hillsides in Pennsyl-
vania on which nothing but rocks appear, the soil
having been washed away. But trees or no trees, the
wear goes on, though infinitely slower with, than with-
out, trees.

Pennsvlvania has a wonderful history. ^^Our moun-
tains were once ten times higher than they are
now; and their gradual erosion to their present height
by the frosts and rains of past ages, beginning long
before the advent of the races of living beings w^hich
now inhabit the planet, makes the most interesting
chapt(T in our geological history.'^

On(^-f()urth of the State has a giMK^'al level of 2()()()
feet above sea. It seems once to have been almost a

14

<*ontinii()us plateau, which lias been cut into ridges,
crossed by gaps until it is ehan^vd into what seems
lik(^ one mountain ran^x^ after another as far as the eye
can reach. Striking examples of such erosion are seen
in th(^ region of the west braneli of the Suscjuehanna,
at the first fork of the Sinnemahoning and on Fish
Dam Run.

To produce such marked effects,, long periods of
time were required. Even while the valleys were
being washed out, or the ridges cut through, forests
were growing on the soil. As the large trees fell, smaller
ones came to take their places, to cover the slopes and
the level ground with leaves and soil, to hold l)ack
and render as slow as possible the constant wearing
away of the earth.

When, in human history, the forests were cut away,
the slow march of (nents became more rapid, soil was
removed faster than it was made. The oldest seats
of civilizntion are too often abandoficd nnd in dcMTt
con(htion now. Study the problem from what point
we may, the close connection betwcn^n human prosperity
and forests appcvirs too ])lain to be disputed. The
utter removal of the forests marks the beginnmg of
desolation and th(^ (hsa])])carance of man's power over
nature.

Onc^ more look at these desolated hills! Observe
they are almost covered by rocks— no soil remains in'
sight. Time was when there existed enough soil there
to support a vigorous hemlock forest. When the
forest was removed, the soil followed, filtered out
washed away, and with it disappeared all j^rospect
of inmiediate reforestation, except at gn^at (^xpense.
This is an ilhistration of tlu^ growing ])robl(>ni which

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continuous plateau, which has been cut into ridges,
crossed by gaps until it is changed into what seems
like one mountain range after another as far as the eye
can reach. Striking ex/miples of such erosion are seen
in the region of the west brancli (,f tl,e Susquehanna,
at the first fork of the Siiincinahoning and on Fisli
Dam Run.

To })ro(hicp such marked effects, long pc-jods of
time were ic<iiiired. Even wiiilc Ihe valleys \v(>re
being washed out, or t!ic ridges cut tlu'ough', forests
were growing (,n t he s<,il. As the Inrge trees fell, small<>r
ones came to take their places, to co\-ei- the slopes and
the level ground willi le;ive< mid <,,\\. t,, |„,|d hnck
and render as slow as ])ossihle the constant wearing
away of the earth.

AVhen, in liumnn hi:^tf>ry, the foi-ests were cut away,
the slow march of events became more rajiid, .soil was
removed faster than it was made. The oldest seats
of civilization are too often abandoned and in desert
condition now. Study the problem from wh;it point
we may, the clo.se connection between human prosperity
and forests appears too ])Iam to l,e disputed. The
utter removal of the fr.rests m;ir1<. Ilie beginning of
desolation and the disappearance of man's p.n\er over
nature.

One more look at flie.se desolated hilN' Observe
they are almost covered by rocks no s,,il rem;un< in
sight. Time w;!s when there existed enough soil there
to suppoi-t a vigorous hemloek forot. WIk-u the
forest was remoxcd, the soil joljowed. filtered out,
washed away, and wiih it <lisappe;ired all i)ro>pect'
of immediate reforestai uju, except at great expense.
This is an illustration of the growing problem which

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fppnONAL SECOND EXPOSURE

Slate Hun Valley

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15

confronts the State. There are too many such liills
in Pennsylvania to escape attention. Their condition
is becoming worse each year. The problem is too large
to ignore. Older nations, more experienced nations,
have learned not only that such evils must be corrected,
but how to correct them, though at a cost of millions
of dollars where thousands would have sufficed if
restorative measures had been applied earlier.

Desolated as they are, those hills still are of great
value to the Commonwealth. They form solid boun-
daries within which immense water power may be
safely confined. Take for example Slate Run, a branch
of Pine Creek. It is probably ten miles long. From
source to mouth it runs through just such a country as
the upper illustration facing this page shows — ravines
from 800 to 1000 feet deep. There are at least a dozen
branches in which streams flow througliout the year, and
in each of which a vast volume of water might be hoarded
and electrical power generated on the spot, transmitted
to where needed and the water passed on to be used
again, multiplying power over and over many times.

It is hard, indeed, to exaggerate the manufacturing
possibilities back of such topographical features! If
the possibilities of Slate Run were multiplied fifty
fold, they would not exceed the pow(^r latent in the
valleys cut by erosion from the high table-land of the
State.

It is humiliating to think how little our people
know about these resources that are off of the line of
travel. Such of them as are on the State forest re-
serves should continue to remain in its possession, to be
used for the* IxMu^fit of all th(^ p(M)ple. The world is
surely l)ut slowly learning that unappropriated natural

A Pennsylvania Washout
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15

confronts the State. There are too many isuch hills
in lYuinsylvania to escape attention. Their condition
is becoming worse each year. The problem is too large
to ignore. Older nations, more experienced nations,
have learned not only that such evils must l)e corrected,
l)ut how to cori'CH't tluMn, though at a cost of millions
of dollars wluM'e thousands would have sufhced if
n^storative measures had Ixhmi ap})li(Ml (^arlier.

Desolated as they are, those hills still are of great
value to th(^ Conunonwealth. They form solid homi-
daries within which inunense water power may be
safely confined. Tak(^ for example Slate Run, a branch
of Pine ('reek. It is probably ten miles long. 1^'rom
source^ to mouth it runs through just such a count I'v as
the upper iUustration facing tliis })age shows — rayines
from 800 to 1000 feet dee]). There are at least a dozen
branches in which streams flow thi'oughout th(\year, and
in each of which a vast volume of water might be hoarded
and electrical power generated on the spot, transmitted
to \\hei"(^ necnlcMl and the wat(M" passcnl on to l)e used
again, multiplying power o\'er and o\(M' many tinu^s.

It is hard, indecMl, to (exaggerate t hc^ manufacturing
possibilities back of such topogra]>hical features! H
the possibilities of Slate Run wen^ multi]:>lie(] fifty
fohl. they would not exceed tin^ powcM' latent in the
vallevs cut bv erosion fi'om the high table-hind of the
State.

It is humiliating to think how litth* our })(M)ple
know about thes(* resources that ai'e otf of tlu^ lin(> of
travel. Such of them as are on the State forest re-
serves should er>ntimie to remain in it< possession, to be
used foi' \\\r bc^netit of all the people. The world is
surely but slowly learning that ui^appropriated natural

INTENTIONAL SECOND IXPOiSURE

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resources sliould remain as a trust, to be aduiiiiistered
lor the j)uhlic.

Tlierc is a vision behin.l the cloud, for th.xse who ••an
see It. Back of all thus far alluded to in this brief
paper there looms up a Kn>at truth: Congestion of our
J)oj)ulati()n m and near our cities leads to want when
work IS scarce, and to discontent and unrest even when
It IS abundant. Housing conditions, due to want of
room, are bad. There is no family garden from which
food may be obtained. The vegetables, the milk the
butter, the eggs, come from the grocer and can be had
only when times are good and wages high. The sur-
roundings are not favorable for good health or for good
citizenship.

TliAro io »-oom for a vist i> ' '

i\ji a vasi p./t/<«.eiin^u uii iiie very

regions under consideration, where there is good air
good water, room for the garden, the pasture, the poul-
try, of every family, often nearer the possible source
ol supply.,! raw material f„r manufacture, and wi,|,
the jx.w.M- ll.,wing in sigiu of the homes. Th,> rcMuovil
of many of the factory sites from near the cities to
nearer the power-producing streams is possible. It
appears reasonable. That it would be to the advantage
ot the workmen seems probable! From the bushiess
I'on.t of vi,.w it is more than likely that new conditions
would be iu-lpful to the manufactur,.r. Transportation
«' th(> hmshed product is usually cheaper than that
of he raw material. There may be a social uplift
111 the idea.

That one-soventh of the State should continue in its
present ahnosi depopuhited condition is an unthinkable
P'-^>I)osition. Mountain-l)red men 1kiv(^ elenn^nts of
cliaracter which have always distin^nuslnMl them m

17

times of national need and trial. To point this state-
ment it will be sufficient to say that during our Civil
War the Southern Confederacy was ''practically cut
in two by the wedge of loyal mountaineers from the
Appalachian chain/' ''and they startled the nation on
the scene of our Civil War by sending 180,000 of their
riflemen into the Union Army."*

These Appalachian mountaineers were in no wise
different in loyalty and in efficiency from the other
mountain men bred and reared between Maine and
northern Georgia. Until the millennium dawns and
men cease to learn w^ar, the human product of the
timberland wdll continue to be one of the most impor-
tant asspf^ in r^uv national life, if v/e f-^-^Tsh the means
of earning a living in the forests where this stalwart
cliaracter was developed. We cannot obliterate the
fact that mountain men, unassisted, saved North
and South Carolina and (leorgia during th(^ Hin'olu-
tionary War and paved the way for the final surrendc^r
at York town by their victory at King's Mountain.
NcMther may we forget that it was the w^oodsmen of
Tennessee that saved th(^ day for Jackson at New
Orleans, in the war of 1812. It was the mountaineers
of New Hampshire that j)revented the escape of Bur-
goyiK^ at Saratoga. It was in response to Ethan
Allen's emphatic demand that Ticonderoga surrendered
to the "Green Mountain Boys." Last of all should
we of Pennsylvania forget that our 1st Rifle Regiment,
the famous "Bucktails," came, in great part, from the
lumber camps of the State.

I make my appeal for the Men of the Mountains
as a part of our State and national forestry probh^ni.

* See Kephart'rt ''Our Southern lliglilanders," p. 19.

18

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To New York IxAon^r^, the great credit of l)eing the
first State to set a})art, l)y purchase, a largi^ body of
woodland ''as an outing ground for the people,'' It
was a long look ahead— the conmiencenient of a i)olicy
in behalf iA health and efficiency that but few people
yet realize the beneficent consequences of. It is
wiser to prevent than to cure disease. There are,
all the time, in Pennsylvania and in every State,
literally, thousands who are on the road to become
confirmed invalids and charges upon the bounty of the
public. It can no longer be questioned that a large
portion could be restored to health and usefulness if
removed from the unhealthy conditions in which they
have lived, and placed in the open air of our Forest
.aeserves. uur splendid department of Pubhc Health
is doing a great work. Its only defect is, and it is a
very serious defect, that it does not conmience far
enough back and begin in such cases at the l)eginning.
Public charity too often M^nds such sufferers to son^e
seashore or country boarding-place for rest and recrea-
tion, wlien better results would be more cheaply ob-
taincYl in a wisely directed camp in the woods of the
State.

Our Legislature of 1913-1914 wisely enacted that
space for individual homes upon the Forest Reserves
might be granted, under proper conditions. This
privilege subserves two very important purposes:
first, it conduces to public health; second, it places
upon the ground men who are interested in the good of
the State lands and especially in the prevention and
prompt suppression of forest fires.

Many reaUze the IxMiefits they individually receive
from a sojourn in the woods; though but a small

19

proportion of these same persons recognize that the
statement concerning the tree whose leaves were ''for
the healing of the nations'' is neither fiction nor figure
of speech.

Will nature, unassisted, restore forests to the waste
places of the State? Certainly not, unless forest fires
are absolutely prevented. It by no means follows,
however, that the naturally restored growth is the best
timber or, indeed, that it is timber at all in any proper
sense of the word. There may be, for example, a
dense growth of fire cherry, the only use of which would
be as a nurse tree, or as an occupant to hold the soil
until real timber could be well started under favorable
r^nnditions. One has but to -- -- ^ " oods from w Ll.h
the original timber has been cut to realize that the new
growth is more than likely to contain many species
which have no commercial value, and others that have
but little value, with but few s})(H*im(^ns of our stand-
ard timber trees. Some carefully prei)ared tables of
averages of "good, bad, and indifferent" species on
given acres, which are reported as "well timl^ered,"
would effectually dispose of tlu^ notion that nature can
be wholly trusted to do the work of reforestation.

The first essential in forestry is })revention of forest
fires. In so far as we fail in this, we fail in the whole
problem. The word prevention is used advisedly.
Hitherto extinguishing forest fires and suppressing
forest fires have been the leading ideas in our forest
fire code. The one idea to get is that forest fires
must be prevented by the presence of a sufl^cient patrol,
assigned to the duty of preventing thc^ start of fires;
second, of promptly extinguishing them, if started,
and, third, of discovering how the fire was started and

20

promptly bringing the offender to punishment. In a
long life of woods experience, I have seen, in Pennsyl-
vania, but two forest fires the creation of which could
be clearly traced to lightning. It is not long since it
was estimated that on an average of once in three years
the ''cut over land'^ of the State was burned. One
may fairly say that there is already a marked improve-
ment.

It is important to bear in mind that almost every
forest fire is the result of ignorance, carelessness, or
crime, and that there is some one to punish for it.
To extinguish a forest fire after it has destroyed the
growing timber costs about as much as preventing the
fire by an eflficient patrol and saving the timber.
1 his IS the verdict of experienced lumbermen who have
tried both plans.

A carefully selected patrol has the distinct advantage
of dispensing with the irresponsible, undisciphned mob
that usually rushes to a forest fire, as much with the
idea of getting what they can out of it, as with the in-
tention of helping to extinguish it.

We must still be prepared to accept the fact that if
forest fires are started, there will come times when they
will defy the best efforts at prompt sui)pression. For
example, in a fire starting in a dry, autumn bed of
leaves, when suflricient water is not available and, as
often happens, a high wind is prevailing, trails, fire
lanes, roads will all be crossed and cinders and flaming
bark may convey the conflagration from one side of a
valley to another. Such extreme cases are rare, but
they do occur.

Pennsylvania's restorative measures have thus far
been confined mainly to planting on the abandoned

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promptly bringing the offender to punishment. In a
long life of woods experience, I have seen, in Pennsyl-
vania, but two forest fires the creation of which could
be clearly traced to lightning. It is not long since it
was estimated that on an avei'ago of once in three years
the ''cut over land" of the State was l)urned. One
may fairly say that there is already a marked improve-
ment.

It is important to bear in mind that almost every
forest fire is the result of ignorance, carelessness, or
crime, and that tlion* is some one to punish for it.
To extinguish a forest fire after it has ck^stroyed the
growing timber costs about as nmch as preventing the
fire by an efficient pntrol and saving the timber.
This is the verdict of experienced lumbermen who have
tried both plans.

A carefully selected patrol has the distinct advantage
of dispensing with the irresponsible, undisciplined mob
that usually rushes to a forest fire, as inuch with the
idea of getting what they can out of it, as with the in-
tention of helping to extinguisli it.

We must still be pr(^])aivd to accept the fact that if
forest fires are started, there will come times when they
will defy the best efforts at prompt supprc^ssion. For
example, in a fire starting in a dry, autumn bed of
leaves, when sufficient water is not available and, as
often hapi)ens, a high wind is prevailing, trails, fire
lanes, roads will all be crossed and cinders and flaming
bark may convey the conflagration from one side of a
valley to another. Such extreme cases are rare, but
they do occur.

Pennsylvania's restorative measures have thus far
been confined mainly to planting on the abandoned

ipSSfTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE

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fields witliiii the forest reserve, thou^i^h some ''spot-
planting" has been tried in existing woods, with greater

or less sueeess.

The methods of reforestation must necessarily l)e
varied. In some instances clean cutting will be re-
sorted to. In others, desiral)]e seedlings will be used
for ''under planting'' in forests deemed worthy of
saving and which will not interfere with the growth of
the newly planted seedlings. At one place the forests
will be made up of but one kind of tree, say, for ex-
ample, white oak—a "pure stand." At another place
the forest will contain a mixture of desirable trees.

The one point desired to be impressed here is the
magnitude of the work of restoring timber to from four
to six millions of acres and doing it as promptly as
possible. State work, howx^ver necessary, is always

slow.

To plant an a(Te of young white i)lMes 1,000 seedlings
of say three years' growth would not ])e an excessive
number: in fact, 2, ()()() would l)e neanT the mark.
They are started close, in order that in search for sun-
light, tall, straight trunks may be developed. As they
grow and crowd each other, the weaker ones are re-
moved. The process of thinning continues until the
timber has reached marketable size. From the time
the young trees are 20 feet liigh they begin to have a
value, and by sale of those removed, income (small at
first) begins to come in.

Starting then with the statement of 1,000 seedlings
to the acre, one immediately recognizes that to plant
1,000 acres would require a million seedlings. The
magnitude of the task becomes at once apr)alling.
It is clear that if n^planting the "cut-over" lands of the

22

State were immediately necessary to save the soil, the
Commonwealth would be doomed. Fortunately, it
is not necessary, however desirable it may be.

So far as the best statistical information can say,
the available timber of the United States cannot pos-
sibly last longer than thirty years. It will naturally
become higher in price as it becomes scarcer. There
seems to be in sight no new supply to meet the coming
deficiency in that time. The country can, however, be
well on the way, first to save the soil, and second, to
restore the timber, though the need for immediate
action is urgent.

The policy adopted should be for such lands as are
better adapted to the growth of timl)er than any other

crop.

First. Replant the treeless land with seedlings of
the most desirable species so far as i)ossil)le.

Second. Carefully safeguard against fire the most
promising lauds on which tli(M'(^ (^xists a reasonable
stand of timber, and underplant in it the ''shade en-
during'' species as much as possible.

Third. Protect the remaining soil of the steep,
rocky, I reckless parts l)y any growtli, liowever worthless,
if it will only afford a soil cover while living, and aid in
producing soil when dead.

The first two proi)ositions require lu^re no further
statements. The third should be amplified. There
are thousands of acres, probably, densely covered with
a low, much-branched, slow-growing tree known as
scrub (Ydk ((Juercus ilicifolia, Wang.). The ground is
usually poor, and sometimes it is both poor and rocky.
"But little soil appears. Such thickets may persist so
long that it comes to be supposed nothing better ever

4

23

can be produced there. If, however, fire be kept off
and the mould allowed to accunnilate, at length other
more valuable species may appear, struggle through
the thicket of scrub oak, gradually overtop it, and then
kill it out by the shade formed. Such illustrations of
white, red, and scarlet oaks supplanting the scrub oak
can be seen in Pike County, Pennsylvania.

The so-called scrub oak then seems to have a distinct
value, because it is a good producer and retainer of soil,
and also because it is preparing the ground for trees
which have a value as timber. It holds in check ruinous
soil-washing, and allows time for starting forests on
soil which promises results in reasonable time.

Then there are other areas which, if fire allows, be-

nr^rr^a c— wlU.^ nf^^rf^ro(] with n dcUSC iirOWth of SUUiaC,

come s- . . r 1 • I

blackberry bushes, and fire cherry, neither ot which
have any value in themselves, but which have (luick
growth and furnish soil cover, thus preventing, or at
least holding, soil-wash in cluM'k.

Still another iiuMhod of valuable time-serving ])olicy
is practicable. There are locations where the soil
appears good, l)ut for some reason or another trees
have failed to grow. Such places often take kindly to
grass and, as in Cameron County, a vigorous crop
follows the accid(Mital di^^osit of seed on tho surl^ace.
Sod is, as we know, a good soil retainer. These grassy
spots also resist the fire. Tlie tops may, and do, burn
completely, but the roots will speedily cover the surface
with a new crop of verdure.

There are also extensive areas almost wholly occupied
by huckleberry and blueberry bushes. These, too,
are good soil retainers.

Lastly, there are rocky slopes ui)on which no xestige

24

:. ,1

of soil renKiins, and where nothing but lichens are
found. These spots never can become worse and may
well be neglected until i\w nion^ promising locations
have been cared for — but such apparently hopekvss
situations do have a distinct lesson, if we heed it, for
th(\v reveal the dangcn* to the Commonwealth of neg-
lecting to care for the thousands of square miles which,
with greater or less rapidity, are going into just such
an unproductive condition. Such an area is a gnawing,
corroding sore in the heart of the State. It merits
attention!

The lesson of these waste lands is: Plant what you
can at once, and for the rest aid nature in covering them
with whatever w^ill grow best, and prevent destructive
washing aw^ay of soil. Tear in mind th::t the whole
problem of forest restoration is urgent, though some
portions of the work are more urgent than others.
Note, however, that where forest fires are tolerated,
the best forestry efforts will {)roduc(^ small results.

Even undcM' the most favorable conditions the State
will, for many years, miss the income formerly re-
ceived from its lumber industries, which once aggre-
gated nearly $30,000,000 annually as the lumber fell
from th(^ saw.

In strong contrast with our lack of care is the policy
of Russia, which is said to still have 900,000,000 acres
in one timber belt where, though wood is the general
fuel, it may not be cut without official permission. No
water protecting forest can be cut, no cattle are allowed
to graze on lands until the trees are ten feet high, and
all forests which guard against erosion of water or
drifting sands are exempt from taxation.*

* See National Geographit^ Magazine, \o\. xwi, pp. 4S.S and -l^f).

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The lujiiber industry in Pennsylvania has so long
passed its best period and been on the wane that it
may be said to have ceased as a dominant industry.
Here and there a considerable operation exists, nearing
its end, but even of these only a few remain.

Not only has the extended forest area disappeared,
but the individual, maximum sized tree has become so
rare that mention of the diameters of those occasionally
found half a century ago excites expression of a doubt.
For example, a chestnut tree having, at ''breast-
height,^' a circumference of 21}^ feet; or white pines
six feet in diameter, standing in the virgin forest;
or the white oak still growing near Kutztown, Berks
County, Pa. (facing this page), 31 feet in circumference
at bu^c ui uu.xk, 71 feci high; limbs spread over 104

feet.

In connection with the newly started doctrine of con-
servation, which has taken hold of the nation so firmly,
this waste land merits consideration. IMoney, in-
dustry, and whatever other elements of national
prosperity entered into lumbering disappeared with
the timber upon which they depended. Nothing took
the place of tlie lumber industry. It was simply
blotted out. This, of course, was unfortunate, but
the worst feature was that the soil was practically
abandoned and allowed to become, in many instances,
not only hopelessly sterile, but an actual nursery of
disaster, a source of danger to the productive portions

of the State.

We properly condemn use of coal, which is non-
rest orable, when it is made to do the work of water-
power, which is returned to us again and again for
use, but what shall we say concerning a policy of soil

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The lumber industry in Pennsylvania has so long
passed its best period and been on the wane that it
may be said to have ceased as a dominant industry.
Here and there a considerable operation exists, nearing
its end, but even of these only a few remain.

Not only has the extended forest area disappearc^d,
but the individual maximum sized tree has become so
rare that mention of the diameters of those occasionally
found half a century ago excites expression of a doubt.
For example, a chestnut tree having, at ''breast-
height," a circumferencc^ of 27^2 "^^^'^'^ ^^^ ^^'^^^^^^ P^^^^'^
six feet in diameter, standing in the virgin forest;
or the white oak still growing near Kutztown, HiM'ks
Count V, Pa. (facing this page), 31 feet in eircumference
at base of trunk, 74 feet high; limbs spread over 104

feet.

In connection witli the newly started doctrine of con-
servation, which has taken hold of the nation so iirmly,
this waste land merits consideration. Money, in-
dustry, and whatever other elements of national
prosperity entered into hnnbermg disappeared with
the timber upon which they depended. Nothing took
the place of the lumber industry. It was simi)ly
hlotted out. This, of course, was unfortunate, but
the worst feature was that the soil was practically
abandoned and allowed to become, in many instances,
not only hopelessly sterilcN but an actual nursery of
disaster, a source of danger to the productive i)ortions

of the State.

We propiTly condc^mn use of coal, which i.- non-
restoral)l(\ wIhmi it is made to do the work of water-
power, which IS returned to us again and again for
use, but what shall we say concerning a pohcy of soil

WiWil^^iWi SECOND EXPOSURE

t

I

26

neglect until it ceases to produce anything needed or
desired by man, and is, at the same tini(\ becoming his
active enemy? This is the light in which we nmst re-
gard ev(Ty extensive area that, instead of conserving
rain fall, actually hurries it out of the country and
carries productive soil with it.

There are in Pennsylvania several counties that were
once prosperous, because rich in forests, but which are
now reduced to an almost bankrupt condition because
the timber is gone and the land is too poor and cold to
(Micourage remunerative agriculture. What the future
has in store for such regions is not yet apparent.

The forestry problem is thus seen to be a many-sided
one. I have no desire to confine mvself to such a state-
ment as would brmg undue discredit upon Tennsyl-
vania, for she is in forestry work a pioneer among the
States, as she also is a pioneer in conservation of our
immense mineral wealth. It is simjile justice to call
attention to tlu^ r(^storativ(^ forestry agencies already
started within the State limits.

Pennsylvania has now in Public Forest Reserve
1,001,227 acres, which she has acquired by purchase.
It is especially worthy of note that from the date of
the first purchase an effort has been made to place it
under proper forestry conditions. In other words, we
have no forest laws which retard or prohibit practice
of forestry as a productive science. We have aimed
at constructive rather than tentative forestr3^ That
this policy has been successful is proved by the fact
that land which fifteen years ago was purchased for
?2.5() an acre has now an estimated stumpage value of
fi-nni i:>i[] to SH) an acre. And it mav b(^ addcMJ that

27

this statement applies to areas embracing thousands
of acres.

Amount paid thus far for laud $2,281,385.17

Average price per acre. . .••••• • • •.• • • •

Roa<ls, trails, aud fire-breaks, repauvd, rebuilt or ^^^^^ ^^^.^^^^

new, about I'o '>i r, v.-.n

Number of seedlings planted r 000 aores

Area planted or restocked 7o aoo 000

Total number of sc^edlings now m nurseries .... 1^,400,UUU

Number of seedlings available for planting in ^^^ ^^^

spring of 1915 ' '

Acreage in nurseries , ^^ ^^"^^^

Fire towers and outlooks built - ; „ '

Miles of telephone bought or built for I orest Ue- ^^^

serves

These are substantial evidences of progress. They,
in themselves, are unimportant except as they show
underiymg signs wincii exificoo u lixcu lorest poncj ,
backed by a considerable portion of public-spirited

citizens.

It is, therefore, worth while to say that our Pennsyl-
vania Ptato Forestry Association has efficient repre-
sentatives in every county of the Commonwealth, and
that we have, in addition, the cordial support of the
State Conservation Association, of the American Fores-
try Association, of the American Civic Association, and
of the Women's Clu!)s of the State and of the lumber-
men of the State. The Pennsylvania Forestry Associa-
tion has, since 186S, published, once in two months, a
modest, illustrated pamphlet, "Forest Leaves," which
has reflected the activities of the Association and been
very effective in placing the desires and purposes of the
Association before the Legislature. The active support
of the newspapers of the State has been a most helpful
factor. The fact that thousands of our citizens camp
annuallv upon the State Forest Reserves in search of

28

health and recreation has furnished a strong support to
the forestry movement.

Our forestry reserves contain within tliem the head-
waters of many streams, fountains of pure water, from
which several towns are drawing their sui)ply.

The net revenue from the forest reserves is to go
mainly toward forming a State school fund, and it
promises, in the not distant future, to be an important
annual contribution. For every acre of forest reserve
land in any county, a fixed sum of four cents an acre
goes toward the roads or schools of the county. The
reserves give employment to a considerable number of
men as rangers or as laborers.

Recent legislative enactments have created a new
class ot lands known as Auxiliary I'orest ileserves,
into which the owner may place such lands as have
suitable growing timber and have the tax reduced to a
minimum, so long as the trees remain in healthy condi-
tion. When the timber is cut, the owner pays enough
to compensate^ for the rcHluced tax rate while the timber
was growing. It is worthy of note that though Penn-
sylvania was not the first State to pass these laws, the
id(^a originated there and the first active measures to
secure such legislation began there. These laws re-
move a tax burden which often was practical con-
fiscation. They place the premium on growing timber
and the penalty on cutting it!

WTien purchase of land for the State began, it was
impossible to secure trained men to care for it. There
was, at that time, nothing left for us to do but to train
our own men. Out of necessity there grew up out
of most humble beginnings what has developed into
the State Forest Academy at Mont Alto. The State

'A-

28

health and recreation has fui-nished a strong support to
the forestry movement.

Our forestry reserves contain within them the head-
waters of many streams, fountains of pure water, from
which several towns are drawing; their supply.

The net revenue from the* forest reserves is to ^^o
mainly toward forming a State school fund, and it
promises, in the not distant future, to b(^ an im{)ortant
annual contribution. Tor every acre of forest reserve
land in any count3% «^ fixed sum of four cents an acre
goes toward the roads or schools of the county. The
reserves give employment to a considei'uble number of
men as rangers or as laborers.

Recent legislative enactments have created a new
class of lands known as Auxiliary Fon^st K(\serves,

♦ 7

into which the owner may ])lace such lands as have
suitable growing timber and have the tax reduced to a
minimum, so long as the trees remain in healthy condi-
tion. When the timber is cut, the owner pays enough
to compensate for the reduced tax rate wliih^ tlu^ timber
was growing. It is worthy of note that though IVnn-
sylvania was not the first State to pass these laws, the
idea originated there and the first active measures to
secure such legislation began there. 'I'he^e laws re-
move a tax burden which oft(Mi was j)ractical con-
fiscation. They place the ])renuuni on growing timber
and tlie penalty on cutting it!

\\'lien {)urchase of land for the State began, it was
impossible to secure trained men to can^ for it. There
was, at that tini(\ nothing left for us to do but to train
our own men. Out of necessity thcM'c^ grew u{) out
of most humble beginnings what has ({(U'elojXHl into
the State Forest Academy at Mont Alto. Tlie State

INf ENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE

29

r i +v.oro frp(^ of all cost. Tlu^re
educu. .ts "-*- *J^ ; j': J ; ,„|,„„| „„ duty ...
"« ..mv ..0 „.,t of 74 E..du.te o _^j

s%ar.:x w,r:/e;..a •,„ »«.. au.„.

College. . r-r>Ar<^rnnrs have lent

Since 1883 eight successive Governois na

.f +.. nnr forestry movement, iviucu oi
their support to our lortbti^ ^^

the ground that the cause has gamed has been a
their friendly interest. ^^^ „„_,„,.. Rrnmbaugh has
Uui new y . ^^^^p^te of progressive btatc

::eC Weran not doubt that during his admimstra
r l^ sympathy .iU - ^ith the joi., and tliat .>

far as the many. ^'^^V.u .rk "thus far so nol.ly
he will guide and forward this work, thus lar

advanced." i.^,.pstrv is the head of a De-

Tlie Commissioner of l'<>"-tr - ^,^^^

partment wh.h is^.onhmUe o|[-;;'p^^^,,,,,, ,,-

Department of Agricuivim .,f tu,> forestry work

,,,„„„,„, Thi. --'*^; ;; ;;; ;^' J;;;:. ...... ,.«-

"Til XS «1 vtew, without i.,torvo,.i.,.

panics. Aui ip.uline position in ine

able to take and maintain a leading \y

U lay .,.■. « I.UI a t„.g....-..t of .-..at ro...a,..s to be ,..,...

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Vi',.'-

30

before the State can a^aiii lay claim to the name (remi
Sylvania) which was ri^^itfully bestowed upon it.

It has cost us thirty-eight years of unremitting
pioneer elTort. A sohd foundation has t)een laid upon
which to build a modern, |)r()gressive forestry system.

It has been thought by others than the writer that
this presentation of facts might be of service to the
f]-iends of forestry in other States than Pennsylvania,
and tliat they might be encouraged by our ultimate
\'ietoiy aftei" so many years devoted to creating public
sentiment favoral)le to the movement. We must
undi^^stand that the land is ours to use, to enjoy, to
transmit; but that it is not ours to desolate, that we
are bound to Iviwo it in n^ (mm] pon^Uf jr^r^ {q^ those
wlio follow us as we found it for ourselves.

J. * t..^'.

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