Title: Forest leaves, v. 15 Place of Publication: Philadelphia Copyright Date: 1915 Master Negative Storage Number: MNS# PSt SNPaAg062.2 > Philadelphia, February, 1915. No. I Published Bi-Monthly by the PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, 1012 "Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. Entered at the Philadelpma Post-Ofl5ce as second-class matter. CONTENTS. Editorials i What Can be Done or Forestry 2 Some Town Trees 4 The Fuel Va'ueof Wood 5 Suggested Changes in U. S. Forests 6 The Blue Mountains of Jamaica 8 Forestry Cards 8 Forest Conservation in Switzerland 9 EDITORIALS. lENNSYLVANIA enters another administra- tion year with a new governor and a legis- lature in which there are niany new mem- bers, by some of whom the position of Pennsyl- vania in forestry, may not be appreciated. In P Subscription, $x.oo per Year. The attention 0/ Nurserymen and others is called to th( advantages ^Forest Leaves as an advertising medium. Rates will be fur- nished on application. The Pennsylvania Forestry Association, FOUNDBD IN JUNB, 1886, Labors to disseminate information in regard to the necessity and methods of forest culture and preservation, and to secure the enact- ment and enforcement of proper forest protective laws, both State and National. Annual member ship/ee^ Two dollars. Life membership y Twenty-five dollars. Neither the membership nor the work of this Association is intended to be limited to the State of Pennsylvania. Persons desiring to l>ecome members should send their names to the Chairman of the Membership Committee, loia Walnut Street, Phila. President f John Birkinbine. Vice-Presidents. Robert S. Conklin, Wm. S. Harvey, Albert Lewis. Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, Samuel L. Smedley. General Secretary ^ Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock. Recording Secretary , F. L. Bitler. Treasurer ^ Charles £. Pancoast. Committees of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association : Finance, Dr. Henry M. Fisher, Chairman ; Joshua L. Baily, Eckley B. Coxe, Jr., Wm, S. Harvey, Henry Howson, Jos. Johnson, Albert Lewis, Chas. E. Pancoast, J. Rodman Paul. ^ Law, Dr. Henry S. Drinker. Chairman ; Hon. Marshall Brown. Geo. F. Craig, Hon. Lucien W. Doty, W. W. Montgomery, Irvin C Williams. Membership^ Albert B. Weimer, Chairman ; Walton Clark, Hon. Robert S. Conklin, Mrs. Brinton Coxe, O. C. Hillard, Samuel Mar- shall, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, Samuel L. Smedley, Mrs. Alexander Van Rensselaer, L. A. Watres, John H. Webster, Jr., N. P. Wheeler, Dr. W. P. Wilson. Publication. John Birkinbine, Chairman ; F. L. Bitler, Egbert S Cary, S. B. Elliott, Jos. S. Illick, Dr. J. T. Rothrock, Harrison Souder" IVork, Mrs. Brinton Coxe, Chairman ; Mrs. David Reeves, Miss Mary K. Gibson, Miss Ethel A. Shrigley, John S. Cope, J. Franklin Meehan, E. E. Wildman. Office OF the Association, loia Walnut St., Philadblphia. United States Forestry for the Year ending June 30, 1914 9 ' his inaugural address Govemor Brumbaugh issued The Annual Meeting of the American Foresty Association 11 a Warning against a multiplicity of laWS, and thc Marks in Wood Record Heavy Windstorms 12 ^«^^i^ ^r 4.u^ Ci.^ u ^j^ t Large National Forests Urged in the East 13 P^^P^^ ^^ ^^^ ^tate may be expeCted tO endorSC New Publications 14 "IS Statement that we have been '* overlavved." It is therefor probable that the amount of new legislation emenating from the General Assembly of 19 1 5 will be limited, and that what is adopted must clearly demonstrate its necessity. While some laws affecting forestry could be im- proved— proposed amendments to them may open the doors to others less desirable, and we under- stand that the Forestry Reservation Commission is not seeking additional legislation. It is of first importance that existing statues be enforced, and that appropriations to secure this are supplied. Governor Brumbaugh has expressed his faith in conservation in the extension of the State's forest reserves, and his influence is and should be potent, and former general assemblies have in- dorsed their appreciation of foresty — although at times with less generosity than many tree lovers desired. We suggest that our readers keep advised of proposed legislation — especially that affecting ap- propriations— and use their individual influence to secure for our Department of Forestry the re- cognition which it merits. It has been gratifying to express in Forest Leaves, confidence in the business administration of the State Department of Forestry, and we be- lieve that what funds are asked from the legisla- ture of 19 1 5 will be based upon a careful analysis of possible results. We have on previous occa- sions dttected attention to the acquisition of over r v< FOREST LEAVES. a million acres of reserves, the establishment and management of the State Forest Academy, and of extensive nurseries upon reservations, and the care and improvement of State forests by men educated by the State for this purpose. We therefor hope that the forestry department will be treated as generously as the finances of the Com- monwealth permits. Through its Committees the Pennsylvania Forestry Association will keep in touch with pro- posed legislation, and, if occasion warrants, will call upon members for personal assistance. But we suggest that when opportunity offers, each of our readers see that members of the General Assembly are informed of the personal interests which he or she has in conservation, and in the recognition w^hich the State should give to the protection of a resource, which is of so great advantage to the present and future of forestry. J. B. * 'H * * * The observance of Arbor Days in Pennsylvania is not marked by such evidences of enthusiastic appreciation, as might be expected in a Com- monwealth which has recognized forestry as an integral feature of State government, and which owns and administers a million acres of reserves. The governors and the Superintendent of Public Education issue the usual proclamations, the Statt^ Forestry Department plants on or near to Arbor Days many seedlings and some schools hold exer- cises and plant trees. But the recognition of Arbor Day is far from general, and its observance should be encouraged as developing interest in the younger element, which in after years may mature into active participation in conservation problems. It also maintains the interest of those in mature life who realize the importance of forest protection. I. B. * Hi It has not been the custom of Forest Leaves to publish portraits of officials of the State, but we have made an exception in presenting to our readers an illustration of the new Governor standing among trees, as indicative of his ap- pearance about the time he became a member of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association. Governor Brumbaugh's name has for a number of years been on the roll of the Association. J. B. The following excerpt is from Governor Brum- baugh's Inaugual Address, delivered January i8th, 1915- **Once Pennsylvania was rich in natural re- sources and unequaled in natural beauty. Much of its wealth has been taken from it. Much yet remains. Its ownership has passed to private and to corporate agencies. They have rights that must be respected. So also have the people of the State a claim upon these great natural assets. In their marketing the Commonwealth plays an essential part. In return the people ought also to share. A reasonable tax upon our great natural re- sources as they flow to our markets is both fair and wise. Our public lands^ represent a new and increas- ingly valuable asset. We should speedily aquire many more acres and assist nature to reforest the same. The State can well afford to invest part of its income for the welfare of succeeding gene- rations. Indeed, if we love our continuing Com- monwealth more than we love our personal gain, we shall assuredly foster our resources, and, when- ever possible, add to them. We fail to sense this obligation aright if we do not remember that our people are our greatest asset. Whatever makes for their good is conser- vation of the loftiest kind. That they may be safe-guarded in their health, their recreation, their education, their homes, their worship, their property, their regulated freedom, their toil, should be our constant endeavor. ' ' What Can be Done for Forestry. THE Pennsylvania Department of Forestry was created by an exercise of the legisla- tive functions of the Commonwealth, and upon the further exercise of these rests the success or failure of the scheme comprehended under the broad, but somewhat elastic, term of Forestry. The Legislature has appropriated, from time to time, a large sum of money for the purchase of 1,000,000 acres of land, the total, up to last May, being $2,273,338, an average close to $2. 28 cents per acre. This land has been termed by law *' Forest Reservations," and to show for what purpose it has been secured it will be best to use the words of the law itself: ** The lands thus pur- chased by the Commonwealth -^^ ^' ^'' shall become part of a Forestry Reservation system, having in view the preservation of the water sup- plv at the sources of the rivers of the State, for the protection of the people of the Commonwealth and their property from destructive floods." (Act of 30th March, 1897.) No other purpose has been indicated by law. At the time the Act was passed it was almost universally believed that all useful purposes for which the reservations were secured were set forth in that Act, and that by keeping out fires, thieves J> f '' FOREST LEAVES. nS t and lumbermen the end sought would be attained. Only a few gave much thought or consideration to a future supply of forest products, for it was all too generally believed that the forests were inex- haustible, and if not so, that the natural, unaided growth, on cut-over and burned-over land would supply all that was lacking. For the Act to have stated any other purpose would probably have prevented its passage, and, doubtless such wording of it was for the best. But we have now a better understanding of con- ditions, and of the sources of a supply of forest products, and have learned that the whole country is in the early stages of a timber famine which, if not checked in some way, will prove fatal to the prosperity of the nation. We have also come to a knowledge of the fact that Pennsylvania an- nually consumes 1,000,000,000 feet of lumber more than she produces, and that the United States is cutting its forests more than three times faster than they grow, and that there is no other country that can supply us, for nearly all are as badly off as ourselves, and some of them much worse ; and, what is more, we are beginning to learn that on only a small portion of the land owned by the State— and, for that matter, all other within our borders of a similar character — can there be produced a crop of timber trees at all worthy of the name without artificial planting by man. The fatal, and thus far uncontrollable, chestnut tree blight has blasted all hope that natural regeneration can succeed, except in rare cases, for the chestnut is the only valuable timber tree that ran be depended upon to throw up sprouts from a cut stump that will grow to a merchantable size. All this, and more too, has come to our knowledge, and a logical conclusion would point out the course that can be profitably pursued, and it is this : , I. Modify the organic Act creating a Forestry Department so as to make manifest what we now know should be the full purposes for which it should exist, and to set forth for what purposes the land which the State now owns, or may hereafter own, should be devoted ; giving the Department of , Forestry power to restore, use, and perpetuate the ' forests on State land by any or all methods and systems which experience here or abroad shows to be best adapted to conditions, and to make such use of all forest products as will best serve the interests of the Commonwealth. Restoration, use, and perpetuation of the forests for continued use, should be the base upon which the Forestry Department rests. If the forests are restored and maintained the water supply will be cared for. 1 2. To give the Forestry Department more power to protect the State from being ^^held up" by parties who may have land absolutely necessary for State use or for protection of lands already belonging to the State, and who refuse to sell un- less for an unjust and exorbitant sum. The Department of Forestry should have power, in cases where the surface is owned by one party --with whom the State could agree — and coal, oil, gas, or other minerals by another party with whom no agreement could be made, to compel the owner of the latter to come into court and establish the value of his holding. If the value so fixed, when added to the price for the surface, should be more than the Department could, or should think advisable to pay, then the matter would end, so far as the State would be concerned. There should be a law passed whereby the sum which the owner could prove the holding worth should be the sum on which local or even State tax could be laid. As the law now stands that sort of property is exempt from taxation when be- longing to public corporations, to whom most of it does belong. The ownership of these so-called '' lease-holds " has rendered it impossible for the Forestry De- partment to secure any considerable reservations in the western half of the State. Only about 13,000 acres, has been secured on the water shed of the Ohio river, nor can there be any great amount obtained there as long as present con- ditions exist. 3. The Department should be allowed to pay more than $5.00 per acre. Cases frequently arise where land could be secured for but little more than that sum that would be a good investment for the State. A tract may have on it a stand of valuable species of trees in good condition, and nearly mature, but which is of but little present value in market, yet with a few years growth would be merchantable and profitable to any one who could hold it until mature. The owner may not desire to hold it and will sell it cheaply, but not for $5.00 per acre, and in the absence of a purchaser will himself cut it off, or sell it to some one who will. And, again, it frequently happens that it is desirable to secure small tracts to close up lines, and obtain possession where State lands entirely surround a tract, or for nurseries or build- ings, where the value is more than the amount now allowed by law to be paid. That the De- partment has thus far, on the average, paid less than one-half of the maximum allowed by law, should preclude any thought that improper use would be made of this right. 4. As the revenues available for disposal at the present session of the Legislature are believed to be more than $10,000,000 less than at the last session — which fact will render necessary the les- FOREST LEAVES. sening of all appropriations — it will be well to consider to what uses the appropriations to the Forestry Department should be devoted, for the law requires specific designation. It appears to be the opinion of many people that the purchase of land should take preference, claiming it can now be purchased for a less price than hereafter. It is only truth to say that such a conclusion has no solid ground on which to stand. There is a large amount of land in the State which does not yield the owners even the interest on its market value much less compensate for taxes and care. Such land is an absolute burden on its owner and if the State had not been, or will not in the future be, a purchaser it would undoubtedly be sold for taxes, and become the property of the county in which it is located ; and there is a law which gives the State the power to purchase such land by reimbursement of the tax and cost to the county. There are millions of acres still held by the owners in the hope that they can sell to the State. Let the State once cease purchasing and prices will inevitably fall. There are no grounds whatever to claim that these lands will become more valuable, or expen- sive, in the future. What can make them so? But a small portion of them have any considerable growth of valuable species of trees on them, and such as have not can become more valuable only by planting them ; and that is just what is de- sirable should be done, and if done there would be no reason w^hy the State should purchase them. Now, if there must be a reduction in the ap- propriation for forestry purposes from what there would be if the revenues were now as formerly, let it be for purchase of land and not for adminis- tration and planting, and the like. Land pur- chase can wait far better than these, and until we can receive enough money to properly care for, and plant up what land the State owns, there is little need to worry about more land. We should plant not less than 20,000,000 trees per annum, and it will take from forty to fifty years to do that on land the State already owns. S. B. Elliott. The American Wood Preservers Association held its Eleventh Annual Convention at Chicago, 111,, January 19th to 21st, 19 15. Many valuable papers on Wood Preservation were presented, and the meeting was well at- tended. The officers elected were : President, J. H. Waterman; Vice-Presidents, H. S. Loud, Lowry Smith, F. D. Beal ; Secretary-Treasurer, F. J. Angier. Some Town Trees. THE present winter has been unusually hard on town trees, because of the sleet storms, which have weighted, bent and broken the larger limbs. The damage, to be sure, has not been confined to towns. Forests, especially where enough chestnut timber remains to give character to them, present a ragged, broken appearance. In towns severe pruning has been the result. It is fair to say that one or the other of the species of maple is most commonly used in Pennsylvania as a shade tree, and no other tree suffers more from late winter pruning than a maple. This year the sap had started to flow in Janu- ary, intermittently, and it was no unusual thing to find long icicles hanging from the limb stumps on a cool morning after a bright sunshiny, w^armish day. In spite of the fact that there has been a gen- eral improvement in method of tree surgery of late years the bungling which one still occasionally sees is surprising. One constantly observes large limbs cut horizontally across, w'ithout the least sign of a slope, to give quick, complete drainage, and then left unpainted, or unprotected by any cover for spore-laden moisture to find its way into, and begin destructive work on the wood. It is noteworthy too, that most of the rotten- hearted main tree trunks, that we pass on the sidewalks, commenced to decay from eight to fifteen feet above ground where some badly am- putated limb was left unprotected, and the place l3ecame an easy entrance for spores to the heart of the tree. There has been an improvement in one respect, that is in making a sufficient cut on the lower side of a limb (to prevent stripping off of bark and outer wood when the limb falls) before making the main cut on the upper side. But what shall one say of the stupidity of tree owners who allow men to use telegraph climbers in ascending their trees, where every foothold makes an entrance for decay, and encourages waste of sap ? It is even worse than allowing limbs to be cut off so as to leave a stub several inches long, instead of ampu- tating it down as close as possible to the main stem. Two species of town trees have stood the test of sleet during the past winter remarkably well, one is the oriental plane, and the other is the cop- per beech. The plane is well adapted to street purposes except for its tendency to swell inor- dinately at the base, and so encroach on either pavement or gutter, or both. Its seed balls, too, are sometimes a nuisance. The copper beech, is hardly adapted to street planting. There is a magnificent unpruned FOREST LEAVES. '7 •■'1^ ■rB.'^ ;: specimen of it in West Chester, measuring nine feet three inches around at five feet from the ground. Yet this tree is less than sixty years old. When the first severe sleet storm came it still retained its leaves, and as a consequence was exceedingly weighted with sleet, but not a single one of its long flexible limbs broke under the strain. Apropos of pruning, it would be well for tree owners to understand, that as a rule, the longest-lived, most beautiful trees are those that have been least pruned. No tree ever should be pruned simply because spring is approaching. In every case there should be a definite reason for lopping off a limb ; and when such a reason exists the removal should be done by one who knows enough to do it properly, and is willing to take the trouble to do it right. When trees are properly planted along side- walks, allowing room for sufficient development and increase to normal size, one common cause of pruning will be removed. For years the Ailanthus (or tree of Heaven) has been a favorite street tree in New York City, and is still warmly recommended because it resists all enemies, and actually thrives where every other tree dies. In addition to this it is rather an at- tractive tree, and quickly attains a considerable size. There is, however, a serious objection to it, which is the abominable odor of the male flowers, especially in sultry weather. Still the tree may have its uses. J. T. R. The Fuel Value of Wood. THE result of calculations now being made in the U. S. Forest Service laboratory, show the fuel value of two pounds of wood is, roughly, equivalent to that of one pound of coal ; also about how many cords of various woods are required to obtain an amount of heat equal to that in a ton of coal. Certain kinds of wood, such as hickory, oak, beech, birch, hard maple, ash, elm, locust, long- leaf pine and cherry, have fairly high heat values, and only one cord of seasoned wood of these species is required to equal one ton of good coal. It takes a cord and a half of shortleaf pine, hemlock, red gum, Douglas fir, sycamore and soft maple to equal a ton of coal, and two cords of cedar, redwood, poplar, catalpa, Norway pine, cypress, basswood, spruce and white pine. Equal weights of dry, non-resinous woods, how- ever, are said to have practically the same heat value regardless of species, and as a consequence it can be stated as a general proposition that the heavier the wood the more heat to the cord. Weight for weight, however, there is very little difference between various species ; the average heat for all that have been calculated is 4,600 calories, or heat units, per kilogram. A kilogram of resin will develop 9,400 heat units, or about twice the average for wood. As a consequence, resinous woods have a greater heat value per pound than non-resinous woods, and this increased value varies, of course, with the resin content. The available heat value of a cord of wood de- pends on many different factors. It has a rela- tion not only to the amount of resin it contains, but to the amount of moisture present. Further- more, cords vary as to the amount of solid wood they contain, even when they are of the standard dimension and occupy 128 cubic feet of space. A certain proportion of this space is made up of air spaces between the sticks, and this air space may be considerable in a cord made of twisted, crooked and knotty sticks. Out of the 128 cubic feet, a fair average of solid wood is about eighty cubic feet. It is pointed out, however, that heat value is not the only test of usefulness in fuel wood, and since 95 per cent of all wood used for fuel is con- sumed for domestic purposes, largely in farm houses, such factors as rapidity of burning and ease of lighting are important. Each section of the country has its favored woods, and these are said to be, in general, the right ones to use. Hickory, of the non-resinous woods, has the highest fuel value per unit volume of wood, and has other advantages. It burns evenly and holds the heat. The oaks come next, followed by beech, birch and maple. Pine has a relatively low heat value per unit volume, but has other ad- vantages. It ignites readily and gives out a quick hot flame, but one that soon dies down. This makes it a favorite as a summer wood, because it is particularly adapted for hot days in the kitchen. The fuel qualities of chestnut adapt it particu- larly to work in brass foundries, where it gives just the required amount of heat, and it is there- fore in favor. As a result of the erection of fire towers and installation of telephone wires on the forest re- serves, the total acreage of State land burned over in 191 4 was only slightly over 15,000 acres, whereas the acreage throughout the State is ex- tremely large in proportion to the total forest area of the State. It is fo be hoped that sufficient funds may be supplied or some satisfactory arrange- ment be encouraged by the legislature to extend the observation tower system, so as to thoroughly protect the entire forest area of the Common- wealth. i^ / FOREST LEAVES. Suggested Changes in U. S. Forests. PAVID F. HOUSTON, Secretary of Agricul- ture, has issued his report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 19 14, and recommends a change in the methods of administering the national forests in undeveloped sections, so that they will yield at once revenue that can be applied to local development which will further assist communities and aid in the settlement of the territory. He says : '* In regions where timber is the chief income- producing resource absence of demand for it often works a serious hardship upon those who have entered the region as the advance guard of civili- zation and are seeking, in the face of many diffi- culties, to establish homes. There are counties in which a sparse local population of pioneer settlers find themselves surrounded by a wilderness largely consisting of national forest land, which is almost idle so far as any form of present use is concerned. In other words, a great, if not the greatest of the potential sources of wealth in such counties, held in trust by the Government for the benefit of the public, not merely contributes nothing now to the upbuilding of the communities which will give value to the forests, but actually adds to the burden which these communities must assume. Were the forests private property they would pay their fair proportion of the cost of road development, public schools, and other public activities, through taxation. The Government, unlike the private owner of timberland in such regions, is holding the timber, not in order to make a profit later by its advance in value, but in order to make it promote the public welfare. That it should be made to serve the local as well as the national public welfare has been definitely recognized in the provisions of law for the use of 35 per cent, of all gross receipts from the forests for local public purposes. **To carry more fully into effect this already established principle a further step should be taken. It should not be necessary to wait until the period of hardest struggle is past before these public resources begin to assist local development. Before the national forests begin to yield large incomes, as well as after, they should be made to participate in the work of building up the country and giving value to all its resources. **The first need of the public in undeveloped regions is for more and better roads. Without them the struggle of individuals to gain a foothold is much more difficult, while isolation from neighbors and the outside world means meager educational opportunity, a lack of comforts, and conditions unfavorable to community life. A road system, however, constitutes a capital investment which a handful of settlers must make a little at a time. When their roads must be built largely through national forest lands, which pay no taxes, their case is much more difficult. In such regions the Secretary of Agriculture should be authorized to make a study of the local conditions and to gather all the data necessary to formulate a plan for public-road development based on. local needs. These plans should be carried into sufficient detail to provide a reasonably accurate estimate of the cost of the road construction which it is proposed that the Government shall undertake. They should be accompanied by careful and conservative appraisals of the value of the national forest timber in each locality and a forecast of the future income which the forests will bring in from all sources. On the basis of the showings of fact regarding the value of the Government's property, its potential income-yielding capacity, and the needs of the public, Congress should be asked to appropriate for the construction of specific projects recommended by the Secretary of Agriculture. The cost of such road construction by the Gov- ernment should constitute an advance of the amounts which the forests would later make avail- able for local use. In effect, therefore, the roads would become an obligation upon the forests, to be extinguished as their resources come into commercial demand." The Secretary then recommends changes in the system of homesteading, and suggests the wisdom of releasing certain parts of the forests by exchange of property with the States, as follows : '' An important part of the forest problem is to get the right line drawn between farm and forest. Under private ownership considerations enter which do not always lead to the best use of the land. On the national forests the question is determined by a careful study of what the land is best fitted to produce and what the public most needs. Agricultural development is provided for either by excluding from the forests land chiefly valuable for other than forest purposes, or by listing land for settlement under the forest home- stead act. The work is carried out through land classification, which was aggressively pushed last year. The elimination made or determined upon totaled over 2,000,000 acres, while systematic classification was conducted on 100 of the forests, and over 280,000 acres of land were listed for I settlement under the forest homestead law. The area in the forests at the close of the year, exclu- i sive of land not the property of the Government, was slightly over 165,000,000 acres. I ''There is need for similar classification work i outside of the national forests wherever the public /ff FOREST LEAVES. '11^ ^ItT N. i. • > domain is timbered. There are still many areas which should be added to the forests. Wherever the land will have largest permanent value through use for forest production it should be held in public ownership. Timbered portions of the public domain are now unprotected against fire and trespass, and are often a source of danger to adjacent lands. Under existing law the President has in the seven States of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, and Wyoming no authority to add such lands to the present national forests. Legislative provision should be made for applying the classification principles in these States. '' There is also need for legislation to permit the consolidation of national forest holdings through land exchanges with States and private owners. Some of the forests contain a great deal of land which was acquired from the Government before the forests were established. Exchanges of land on the basis of equal values would be very advan- tageous to the Government, since the cost of administration and protection would be materially reduced." The report outlines the policy of the depart- ment regarding timber sales in the national forests, as follows : ** In its handling of timber sales on the national forests the department is confronted with a situa- tion radically different from that which obtains with respect to the grazing. While almost all the range on the forests is in demand, most of the timber is not. To a large extent development work here means so handling the timber that it will be an important factor in opening up the country. Wherever and whenever general busi- ness and market conditions make it possible to sell large bodies of now inaccessible timber, the aim is to offer the timber on terms which will tend to increase transportation facilities, promote settle- ment, and build up permanent communities. Where timber can be sold the benefits of Govern- ment management of the forests as public resources are apparent now. Where, however, the timber is not in present demand a difficult situation sometimes exists. ** It has been urged that, with the vast supplies of virgin national forest timber, the Government should greatly increase its ^ales by lowering the price asked for stum page. To the extent that such a course had any effect at all it would be, in the long run, an effect unfavorable to the public interest. Upon the greater part of the timber it would have no effect, because no manufacturer could, under present conditions, afford to cut the timber at any price. Where timber is thus not in demand because still inaccessible, as a rule the possibility of marketing it depends on the advent of a period of greater activity in the general lum- ber trade. When, as at the present time, lumber- men are forced by general market conditions to curtail output, the department can not expect to make many large sales. Nevertheless, it is wise even in such times not to cease offering large bodies of timber on terms which may attract purchasers, and this is being done. At the same time all possible effort is given to develop small sales for the supply of local needs, and sales to industries which require wood for special purposes, since sales of this character provide a fairly steady market for national forest stumpage, even when the general market is depressed. In a word, the timber-sale policy, no less than the grazing- regulation policy, aims to make the resource serviceable to the public now, as well as in the future, in the fullest degree which scientific pro- duction and utilization can make possible." In the section dealing with forestry the Secre- tary points out that the forests have passed through an unusually dry and dangerous summer without serious fire damage. He indicates that the present emergency fund of $100,000 for fire protection of one billion of dollars of public property is inade- quate even in ordinary seasons. In discussing the recreational use of the forests, which he holds to be the chief of their secondary uses, he urges that the department should be enabled to grant term leases to persons wishing to use the land for summer homes or hotels. He also emphasizes the importance of protecting the watersheds in the forests, so that the water supply of the 1,200 communities supplied from this source may not be polluted. Two interesting forest improvement operations were active last vear — one in Centre and the other in Potter county. Forester George S. Perry had removed from an area of abo'it 560 acres, 535,900 board feet of beech, birch, maple, and other species, showing a net yield per acre of $3.15. This land was purchased in 1905 for $2. 00 per acre. Forester Wm.F. Dague had re- moved from a 200-acre tract in Clearfield county 127,900 board feet, which produced a net profit of $5.48 per acre. This land was obtained in 1900 for $1.50 per acre. It must be remembered that the improvement operations which are carried on in State Forests permit the removal only of such material as is defective or detrimental to the young growth, and, after the improvement cut- ting the forest conditions from a sylvicultural point of view are better than when the defective material was still standing. These figures are net values, as all charges for supervision are allowed for. •/ FOREST LEAVES. The Blue Mountains of Jamaica. ''/^""^N the 3rd of May, 1494, while sailing in \^_y a southerly direction from Cuba, he [Columbus] came in sight ' of the blue summit of a vast and lofty island at a great dis- tance, which began to arise like clouds above the horizon.' " The summits which Columbus saw have since been known, most appropriately, as the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, the highest point of which is given as 7,560 feet above the sea. Seen on the map, these mountains show a more, or less, well-defined chain extending from the eastern end of the island about sixty miles west- ward, mainly in the county of Surrey and about equally distant from the northern and southern coasts. Seen however from their middle altitudes, along the trail leading to the summits, they appear rather as a series of disconnected highlands from which the drainage has easy escape along the lines of least resistance which the rains have provided. The force with which these sub-tropical rains es- cape is well shown by the heavy boulders in the full-page illustration accompanying this paper. The rapidity with which these water courses fill up appears incredible. It is stated that during the period of greatest rainfall, in going from one side to the other of the stream, pedestrians have been overtaken by a descending wall of water. The one feature of these mountains which is in strongest contrast with like elevations in our own State is, that instead of being, on the surface, covered with stones, they appear to be rich, fertile compost piles, covered, especially in the moister parts, with a luxuriant tropical growth. Though on the summit where greater altitude compensates for lesser latitude, one may find a curious mixture of tropical and sub-tropical plants associated with those of temperate regions — white clover and chickweed blooming in midwinter among the be- gonias. These highlands are the health-regions of the island, which, however, for a sub-tropical island, it must be allowed, has a good reputation ; and, **when proper sanitary precautions are taken and due care paid to personal hygiene, whether among military men, or among civilians, the climate of Jamaica is as healthy as that of any part of the world ; " to which may be added, its reputation as desirable winter resort is well known. High up on the hill sides are seen homes where the ground is so steep that wonder is, how a foot- hold is maintained. Of the 3,692,587 acres in the island, all but 692,587 is reported as fit for cultivation of some product, the principal of which are ** coffee, pimento, ginger, cinchona on higher elevations ; sugar, cocoa, oranges, limes, tobacco, nutmegs, cocoanuts, pineapples, bananas and other fruits on the lower." Mangoes, bread fruit and cheri- moya (locally known as Jeremiah) certainly de- serve mention. The only question in regard to the production of sugar seems to be a financial one, as the soil and climate are well adapted to it. J. T. R. Forestry Cards. THE New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse, N. Y., has issued a number of cards in regard to forestry, one of which is reproduced below. Jifo7a to Estunate a Woodlot. Most woodlot owners sell their standing timber for a ridiculously small price, because they do not know how much they have. By using the follow- ing method a fairly close estimate may be made : 1. Count all the trees in a circle 118 feet across ; ^ acre. 2. Select a sample tree as nearly average as you can. 3. Determine how much of the tree you can saw (or use for any purpose) in 16 -foot logs (8- foot logs count as halves). 4. Add the top and bottom diameters inside the bark, and divide by two. (Only solid wood considered, bark excluded.) This will give you the average diameter of the used length. 5. Square average diameter thus obtained, sub- tract 60, multiply by .8 and you will have the contents of an average 16-foot log. 6. Multiply by the number of logs in the tree and then by 4 times the number of trees on your plot (since y^ acre plot was used) and you will have the contents of that acre in board feet. Example. — Basswood, 85 feet total height, can saw 40 feet of it (25^ logs). Top diameter inside the bark, 10 inches; diameter of lower cut, inside the bark, 20 inches (average diameter 15 inches). 15 squared = 225; (225 — 60) x .8 = 132 B. F. contents of average log. 132x2^2 logs = 330 B. F. contents of tree. 10 trees on plot 330x40 = 13,200 B. F. per acre. By selecting 8 — 10 sample plots in different parts of your woodlot the average stand per acre [ may be found. Before selling the woodlot for a lump sum, get the correct acreage (measure if necessary), take 8 — 10 sample plots and find how much you are being offered per thousand feet board measure. Forest Leaves, Vol. xv., No. i ^'^K^^^ ■^■;:'j^V» ^'^iSt- HS r'riyt'--:^' *^V:i ^: r^ ^.IT ■: -sil> riioto by Chas. S. Bradford. REPRODUCTION OF A PHOTOGRAPH OF HON. MARTIN G. BRUMBAUGH, TAKEN YEARS BEFORE THE POSSIBILITIES OF PENNSYLVANIA HAVING A GOVERNOR BRUMBAUGH WERE RECOGNIZED. HIS FONDNESS FOR "ALL OUT OF DOORS" IS WELL KNOWN TO HIS FRIENDS, AND THE POSE AGAINST A STURDY PINE IS CHARACTERISTIC. THE VERSE OF ROBERT SERVICE MAY BE APPLIED TO GOVERNOR BRUMBAUGH. "There's sunshine in the heart of nne, My blood sings in the breeze; The mountains are a part of nne, I'nn fellow to the trees." y FOREST LEAVES. The Blue Mountains of Jamaica. I '*/^'~\N the 3rd of May, 1494, while sailing in V_/ a southerly direction from Cuba, he [Columbus] came in sight ^ of the blue summit of a vast and lofty island at a great dis- tance, which began to arise like clouds above the horizon.' " The summits which Columbus saw have since been known, most appropriately, as the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, the highest point of which is given as 7,560 feet above the sea. 1 Seen on the map, these mountains show a more, or less, well-defined chain extending from the eastern end of the island about sixty miles west- ward, mainly in the county of Surrey and about equally distant from the northern and southern coasts. Seen however from their middle altitudes, along the trail leading to the summits, they appear rather as a series of disconnected highlands from which the drainage has easy escape along the lines of least resistance which the rains have provided. The force with which these sub-tropical rains es- cape is well shown by the heavy boulders in the full -page illustration accompanying this paper. The rapidity with which these water courses fill up appears incredible. It is stated that during the period of greatest rainfall, in going from one side to the other of the stream, pedestrians have been overtaken by a descending wall of water. The one feature of these mountains which is in strongest contrast with like elevations in our own State is, that instead of being, on the surface, covered with stones, they appear to be rich, fertile compost piles, covered, especially in the moister parts, with a luxuriant tropical growth. Though on the summit where greater altitude compensates for lesser latitude, one may find a curious mixture of tropical and sub-tropical plants associated with those of temperate regions — white clover and chickweed blooming in midwinter among the be- gonias. These highlands are the health-regions of the island, which, however, for a sub-tropical island, it must be allowed, has a good reputation ; and, **when proper sanitary precautions are taken and due care j^aid to ])ersonal hygiene, whether among military men, or among civilians, the climate of Jamaica is as healthy as that of any ])art of the world:" to which maybe added, its reputation as desirable winter resort is well known. High up on the hill sides are seen homes where the ground is so steej) that wonder is, how a foot- hold is maintained. Of the 3,692,587 acres in the island, all but 692,587 is rei)orted as fit for cultivation of some product, the principal of which are ** coffee, pimento, ginger, cinchona on higher elevations ;. sugar, cocoa, oranges, limes, tobacco, nutmegs, cocoanuts, pineapples, bananas and other fruits on the lower." Mangoes, bread fruit and cheri- moya (locally known as Jeremiah) certainly de- serve mention. The only question in regard to the production of sugar seems to be a financial one, as the soil and climate are well adapted to it. T. T. R. POOREST Leaves, Vol. w., No. i Forestry Cards. THE New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse, N. Y., has issued a number of cards in regard to forestry, one of which is reproduced below. Ifo7a to Estimate a Woodlot. Most woodlot owners sell their standing timber for a ridiculously small price, because they do not know how much they have. By using the follow- ing method a fairly close estimate may be made : I. Count all the trees in a circle 118 feet across ]i acre. 2. Select a sample tree as nearly average as you can. 3. Determine how much of the tree you can saw (or use for any purpose) in 16-foot logs (8- foot logs count as halves). 4. Add the top and bottom diameters inside the bark, and divide by two. (Only solid wood considered, bark excluded.) This will give you the average diameter of the used length. 5. Square average diameter thus obtained, sub- tract 60, multiply by .8 and you will have the contents of an average 16-foot log. 6. Multiply by the number of logs in the tree and then by 4 times the number of trees on your plot (since y^ acre plot was used) and you will have the contents of that acre in board feet. Example. — Basswood, 85 feet total height, can saw 40 feet of it (2j^ logs). Top diameter inside the bark, 10 inches ; diameter of lower cut, inside the bark, 20 inches (average diameter 15 inches). 15 squared =1 225 ; (225 — 60) X .8 = 132 IL Y . contents of average log. 132x2)2 logs == 330 1). F. contents of tree. 10 trees on plot 330x40 = 13,200 B. F. per acre. l>y selecting 8 — 10 sami)le plots in different parts of your woodlot the average stand per acre may be found. P>efore selling the woodlot for a lump sum, get the correct acreage (measure if necessary), take 8 — 10 sample i)lots and find how much you are being offered per thousand feet board measure. I J'/ioto hy Lhas. S. Brad/ord. REPRODUCTION OF A PHOTOGRAPH OF HON. MARTIN G. BRUMBAUGH, TAKEN YEARS BEFORE THE POSSIBILITIES OF PENNSYLVANIA HAVING A GOVERNOR BRUMBAUGH WERE RECOGNIZED. HIS FONDNESS FOR "ALL OUT OF DOORS" IS WELL KNOWN TO HIS FRIENDS, AND THE POSE AGAINST A STURDY PINE IS CHARACTERISTIC. THE VERSE OF ROBERT SERVICE MAY BE APPLIED TO GOVERNOR BRUMBAUGH. "There's sunshine in the heart of nrie, My blood sings in the breeze; The mountains are a pan of me, I'm fellow to the trees." INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE Forest Leaves, Vol. xv.. No. i •^'mbtL«m-^iMm>.: ■ ■ ^■# tm^ •I < BLUE MOUNTAINS OF JAMAICA. 1* \y > o > > < 0^ < O < < CO z < < h z LU QC QC O H > CO Q Z < o -J o I- co o Z < I o o IJ. o UJ I CO < CO cc 00 UJ o fiT BLUE MOUNTAINS OF JAMAICA. KORKST l.EAVKS, VoL. XV., NO. I, ^ ^±»^«L»kti, ^ J^ ■i B# ■***^ #v- r. L» ♦♦ BLUE MOUNTAINS OF JAMAICA > .»' m .*> ^ CO UJ (0 < -J o z^ o < CD lil X (0 (0 III BLUE MOUNTAINS OF JAMAICA. INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE FOREST LEAVES. I'M* rill ^*! i|i Forest Conservation in Switzerland. THE whole area of Switzerland is 15,964 square miles, of which 21.86 per cent, is covered with forests. About 67 per cent, of these forests belong to individual villages or cities; 28.5 per cent, are private property, and 4.5 per cent, only pertain to the individual cantons. The ownership by canton, village, or private persons shows a remarkable variation in the case of each canton, and the cantonal govern- ments of Valais, Ticino, Orisons and Uri possess practically no forests. The biggest percentage of forests owned by villages, /. e., 94.3 per cent., is in the Valais, and the greatest percentage of private-owned forests, 78.8 per cent., in the canton of Lucerne. Generally speaking, the most extensive forest conservation, in a proportion of 31 to 42 per cent, of the whole territory available for cultivation, is in the Jura, and the cantons of Basel (Land), Schaff hausen, Aargau, Soleure and Neuchatel have the greatest number of forests. Geneva, Basel (Stadt), and Uri are in a reverse position, having to import most of their timber, and the Alpine cantons of the Grisons, Valais and Obwalden show a timber production which exceeds by far their own requirements. The timber production of the Swiss forests has reached the comparatively high figure of 40 million francs a year. The average annual ex- port amounts to about 3 million francs ; but there is an annual importation of wood of about 30 million francs, which is explained by a continu- ally increased demand for wood by the paper in- dustry, also by a much developed building activity. The statistics available concerning the average increase of the Swiss forest cultivation do not yet suffice for an approximate valuation of the re- spective financial returns. However, in all these cases, where it has been possible to investigate the question, the proposition has proven itself a pay- ing one. Thus it is shown that the municipal forests of Aarau produce an average gross profit of $14 per acre ; those of Zurich, Winterthur and Morat $12 per acre ; and the most recent statistics in the case of Winterthur indicate a revenue of $14.90 per acre. Admitting that these are somewhat excep- tional instances, we nevertheless find that the general results of the cantonal forests of Aurgau and Zurich reach a gross profit of $8 per acre, while the richest State forests in Germany scarcely ever surpass a revenue of $5.60 per acre. The returns in the Jura and the Alps, where the soil is naturallypoorer, amount to $3.25 to $4.80 per acre. This steady and ever increasing revenue helps to reduce taxation in Switzerland to a minimum. It must also be remembered that these forests frequently occupy land which would not be fitted for any other cultivation, and their very presence has, moreover, climatic and hygienic value. No place becomes oppressive from the Summer's heat or unpleasant through the Winter's cold if it is situated in a forest region. It is an estab- lished fact that all the renowned Swiss health and pleasure resorts are in closest vicinity to woods and forests, whose purifying presence and whole- some fragrance acts like a tonic on the human system. In certain mountainous regions where landslides, torrents and avalanches would otherwise cause fearful havoc, the forests can often ward these disasters off. This is the reason why coniferous trees are so highly regarded in those districts, but small tracts of forests denuded at one time and these immediately replanted. Forestation is a crop which requires many years to mature, but the results obtained in Switzerland will undoubtedly induce other countries in time to adopt a similar system, which makes the best possible use of land not suitable for agriculture, and which at the same time has all the climatic and hygienic advantages pointed out, not to men- tion the natural charm and soothing effect of a stretch of dark-green, silent forest. Marie Widmer. United States Forestry for the Year ending June 30, 1914. THE report for the last fiscal year of the U. S. Forest Service has just been issued, show- ing the total area of the National Forests to be 163,848,524 acres. The income received during the year amounted to $2,437,710. The total expenditures were approximately $4,750,000 for administration and protection, and $620,000 for roads and improvements. There was sold during the year 1,540,084,000 ft. B. j\I. of timber valued at $3,545,994.54, of which 626,306,000 feet were cut. The average stumpage price was $2.32 per thousand board feet, an increase of 22 cents over that of the preceding year, due to large sales of white pine timber in northern Idaho. 14,207,000 feet of timber was sold at cost to homestead settlers and farmers, and 120,575,000 feet was obtained free by settlers, local residents, and prospectors. The most important feature of the reforestation work was the increased emphasis placed upon the planting of nursery stock as against sowing tree seed. Experience shows that in most of the National Forests direct seeding is much less cer- tain of success than planting, and, in spite of the fi^ 10 FOREST LEAVES. lower initial cost, is more expensive per acre of well-stocked forest. Losses from rodents and droughts have made resowing of the same areas necessary in many cases to secure satisfactory stands. On a few exceptionally favorable areas, forests can be established by direct seeding at a cost of ^5 per acre or less. The area planted during the year was increased to 14,045 acres, while but 6,432 acres were seeded. In the future it is planned to restock approxi- mately 14,000 acres annually by planting and to reduce direct seeding to about 2,500 acres. The latter will include further experiments to check former results and demonstrate all the possibilities of this method in the various National Forest re- gions. The reforestation work is being conducted chiefly on denuded lands of two types. The first consists of burns in the main forest belts of the West and Northwest, where conditions for tree growth are most favorable, and hence where the largest returns in the production of wood will be obtained. The second consists of watersheds used for municipal supply, where extension of forest growth will better both the regularity and the purity of the streams. The general attention now being given by western cities to protecting the sources of municipal water supply and the demand for special legislation for the protection of city watersheds on public lands makes this phase of reforestation exceedingly important. Reforestation work is being expanded in the Lake States, where the National Forests contain i large areas formerly timbered with pine but now denuded. Nurseries are being developed on the Michigan and Minnesota Forests to furnish more planting material for local needs. | Special mention should be made of the planting on the sandhills of western Nebraska. Since the completion of the initial experiments several years ago, substantial success has been obtained in every year's plantation. Some of the lo-year-old jack pines now have a height of 155^ feet and a diame- ter breast high of 4. 2 inches. A small amount of | seed collected from the first plantation was sown in the nursery in 1913. I 9,400,000 trees were planted and 10,870 pounds of seed sown. As in previous years, western yel- 1 low pine and Douglas fir were the chief species used. I The average cost of direct seeding was J1.13 per acre more than that for the preceding year. This is due to greater efforts to prevent rodent depredation, to more careful methods of sowing, and to increased technical supervision. The aver- age cost of planting, on the other hand, shows a decrease of 5 2. 09 per acre. This is due in part to the wider spacing generally used in plantations, and part to increased efficiency in the work. There was on hand in the 29 nurseries July i, 1 9 14, a total of 31,297,485 seedlings and trans- plants. The output from the nurseries was approxi- mately 2,650,000 seedlings and 7,500,000 trans- plants, or a total of 10,150,000 trees. Of these 46,500 were hardwoods. The average cost of seedlings was ^3.62 per thousand and of trans- plants, $5.66. Five thousand and twenty pounds of conifer seed and 94 pounds of hardwood seed were used at the nurseries. A number of small nurseries were discontinued. Numerous Federal bird refuges, which are situ- ated within the National Forests, were posted and protected. Free, preliminary and final permits were taken out for water power projects having an estimated average output of 1,067,621 H. P. The total re- ceipts being $47,163.74. Besides repairing lines of communication and other permanent improvements damaged by the winter storms, 270 miles of new road, 2,153 i^^il'es of trail, 3,063 miles of telephone line, 775 miles of fire line, and 106 lookout structures were built. Roads built by use of the 10 per cent fund derived from National Forest receipts brought the total road construction for the year to 642 miles. There were also constructed 118 bridges, 461 dwellings, barns, and other structures, 19 corrals, 316 miles of fence, and 186 water-improvement projects. Included in the above figures are 336 miles of road, 63 miles of trail, 197 miles of telephone line, 147 miles of fire line, 47 miles offence, 21 bridges, 6 lookout structures, i corral, and 14 water improve- ments built with funds, materials, and labor con- tributed jointly by the Forest Service and commu- nities, associations, and individuals. The estimated value of all improvements on the National Forests at the close of the year was S4,553»453- Of this amount, $3,116,937, or 69 per cent, represents works of communication and protection. . Of the gross receipts 10 per cent is used in building roads and trails, and 25 per cent paid over to the States for the benefit of county schools and roads. The Forest Service also made numerous tests and investigations of forest products. One was conducted on the manufacture of ethyl alcohol from wood waste. White-spruce sawdast was hydrolyzed into glucose with sulphuric acid, and the resulting sugars fermented with yeast. A maximum yield of 23 per cent of sugar was ob- tained. In the fermentation studies 22 gallons of absolute alcohol have been obtained per ton of dry wood. .^? FOREST LEAVES. XO^^ 11 \ »' i 1 4' 1.^^ 1 / ) i A A 1 r' -d \\ / AW V r. The Annual Meeting of the American Forestry Association. THIS meeting was held on January nth, 1 91 5, at the Wool worth Building, New York. Dr. Henry S. Drinker, President of Lehigh University and also of the Association made the opening address. He said in part : '' It is well that we should hold this our annual and principal meeting in the imperial city of New York, in the State which has set aside the largest forest reserve of any State in the Union, and which, we understand, is now contemplating and formu- lating measures to transform that great reserve of 1,600,000 acres from a hunter's wilderness into a forest reserve proper, devoted to the practice and demonstration of tree care and growth, and of practical value to the citizens of the State in afford- ing in these times of decreasing wood supply a store of timber constantly renewed by new growth under conditions of care and cultivation taught by the experience of older countries, where the dan- gers of timber famine have thus been averted, and community tree-growth made profitable, and yet giving to the citizens of the State an outing and camping ground ministering to the health and en- joyment of tired workers. • ** To-day forest associations in the several States are the rule rather than the exception, and nature- loving women and men and patriotic citizens have, by joining in and supporting their good work, an opportunity to forward the important State and national interests they are organized to promote. '* Interest in the general question of the con- servation of our natural resources has unquestion- ably continued to grow throughout our country, and forestry interests are being increasingly studied and promoted. ' ' Dr. Drinker reported that the finances of the Association were in excellent condition, and that American Forestry, its magazine, was proving most successful and popular. | Mr. Henry S. Graves, U. S. Forester, took the stand that the effort to break down the Federal control of the forests owned by the nation has by no means ceased. Less is heard now than former- ly about actually abolishing by one stroke the j whole plan of national forestry ; but those opposed to public control of national resources continue their effort against the system by the ** whittling down ' ' process, with the view of getting the public property into private hands. I This is of particular interest to the State of New York, in which the public interest is centred on the best method of handling the State preserve in the Adirondacks. He pointed out that where- ( as the Federal Govenment had at its command the powerful force of a nation-wide intelligent senti- ment which, once awakened, would hear no argu- ment excepting that of the greatest public good, the State governments must wage local campaigns which cannot attract the same wide attention. The need for cooperation between the Federal Forest Service and the American Forestry Asso- ciation in the general education of the public in forestry matters was emphasized. I In discussing what could be done for State for- estry in New York, C. R. Pettis, superintendent of I the New York State Forests, said in part : I '' We want scenery, health resorts, game covers, protection to watersheds, reduction from flood damage, the indirect forest benefits ; but lumber and wood products are also wanted ; industries are needed, also the raw material from the forests, and wood as a necessity of life. There can and must be a policy worked out which will give all these in the largest measure." ' '*An honest study and discussion of all the factors which make up a proper State forestry policy is needed. In order to make progress, ascertain and adopt a stable policy, not pursue a certain course for a time and then find it is wrong. ' ' George N. Ostrander, of Glens Falls, N. Y., discussed the Eastern and Canadian pulp and paper interests. He said in part : **The paper-maker, in common with all who use the forests, is already the debtor of the Ameri- can Forestry Association. Its development of public opinion along practical lines and its educa- tional activites have accomplished more than any other agency in eradicating from the public mind the distrust, suspicion, and disrespect formerly entertained for those whose business demands the cutting of trees for its existence. **The great conservation projects of stream- flow regulation and reforestation are of prime im- portance to the paper industry. ** In this twentieth century our game and forests are about gone. Like the prodigal we have spent our patrimony, but have no indulgent father to divide the older brother's heritage with us. The husks must be eaten. ** Some real wilderness, in parks, should be pre- served for the coming generations, giving them a chance to know and love real woods, thus reintro- ducing them to the out-of-door and instil and keep alive the spirit and love of the wilderness. Hugh P. Baker, dean of the New York State College of Forestry, at Syracuse, spoke on the methods used to interest the public in forest pre- servation, stating : **The college feels that ammunition is often {I 12 FOREST LEAVES. times wasted by trying to convince men of long business experience of the necessity for a some- what changed attitude toward forests and their in- fluence upon water supply, etc. Therefore, the college has been going after the boys and girls of the State. It is reaching them through illustrated lectures in schools, before Y. M. C. A.'s, and clubs of various kinds, and is following up this lecture work by helping the schools to observe Arbor Day as a Forest Day rather than a Tree Day. Already the college has aided some half dozen schools in the planting of from i,ooo to 30,000 trees." Prof. Samuel N. Spring, of the forestry depart- ment at Cornell University, said : *' Private forest planting has seen remarkable progress in the last decade, although not yet on nearly as extensive a plan as seems desirable in many of the States. It is a concrete, tangible thing which, through the improvement of non- productive land, appeals to the owner. ''In the cutting of woodland and timberland the owner is still strongly influenced by previous custom and methods. Immediate returns and the greatest possible money yield from the forest strongly govern his action. Methods of con- servative cutting are not well understood by him, and are not nearly so readily accepted as those involving reforestation by planting. | ''The owners of wood lots and smaller timber tracts must be brought first to a realization of the value of such property. Before the private owner \ will pratice forestry he needs to know woodland I values more specifically, and how to determine ' them. Does his wood lot in its present condition represent a good investment? What earning power does it possess as it stands? Investigations by State foresters and others who gather facts of this sort lay the foundation for presenting to the owner plans for improving his woodland and in- creasing its productiveness." Prof. H. H. Chapman, of Yale University, pre- sented a paper on " What the American Forestry Association Can Do to Aid Forestry Legislation." i Wm. B. Rowland, President of the Ituicpcndent, talked on how to make the American Forestry Magazine more useful and attractive, and John O. LaGorce, of the National Geoj^rap/iic Mai^aziiie, referred to the wonderful growth of that publica- tion. Mr. R. S. Kellogg, Secretary of the National Lumbermen's Association, also made an address, and the meeting concluded with a banquet at the Hotel McAlpin, at which Charles F. Quincy, of New York, presided. The speakers were Chief Forester Henry S. Graves, on '^The Adiron- dacks;" Ottomar H. VanNorden, of New York, on "Forests for Recreation." Impromptu ad- dresses were given by Hon. Cabot Ward, Presi- dent of the Park Board of New York ; President Henry S. Drinker, of the Association ; Dr. B. E. Fernow, of Toronto, and Dr. J. T. Rothrock* of West Chester, Pa. The officers elected were : President, Dr. H. S. Drinker; Treasurer, John E. Jenks ; Auditor, E. A. Sterling ; Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Emmons Crocker, Theodore L. Bristol, Hon. George Pardee, Hon. William H. Taft, and Hon. John W. Weeks ; Directors, Messrs. W. R. Brown, C. F. Quincy, E. A. Sterling, C. W. Lyman, and J. B. Whoti for three years, and W. B. Greeley, for two years. Marks in V\^ood Record Heavy Windstorms. T ^ITTLE diagonal streaks or wrinkles across JL_X the grain of a piece of timber not only betray weakness, but sometimes indicate periods of stress through which the wood passed when growing. They may even be taken as a sort of check on the official record of windstorms, as in the case of some lumber tested at the forest service laboratory at Madison, Wisconsin. The marks are caused by what are called *' com-* pression failures," which occur when the fibers bend or buckle under a too heavy strain. In cut- ting up logs collected for experiments, it was noticed that these compression failures appeared on the north side of a number of trees which came from the same locality in Florida. By counting the annual rings of the wood and from knowledge of the time when it was cut in the forest, it was decided that these failures must have been caused by a severe wind from the south about the year 1898. Inquiries were made in Florida and it was found that a hurricane had, in fact, swept over the region at the time indicated. The experiments have determined that the strength of a piece of wood may be seriously im- paired by slight compression failures due to rough handling. Dropping a beam across a skid may cause a compression failure at the point at which the beam strikes the skid, and it will be at this pomt that the beam gives way when it breaks under a strain too severe for the weakened fibers to withstand. Hitherto unaccountable breakage in hickory wagon spokes and other presumably strong material, are now attributed to compression failures caused by windstorms in the period of growth, or by hard usage in lumbering and manu- facturing processes. FOREST LEAVES. 13 Large National Forests Urged in the East. THAT 5,000,000 acres of non-agricultural land should be secured by the federal government in the southern Appalachians, and 600,000 acres in the White Mountain region of New England, to form national forests for the protection of the w^atersheds of navigable streams in the east, is urged by the National Forest Re- servation Commission in its latest report. The Commission has approved for purchase so far 1,104,529 acres in New Hampshire, Virginia, West Virginia, North and South Carolina, Ten- nessee and Georgia, in accordance with the Weeks Law, which appropriated $11,000,000 for this work, though only about $8,000,000 will have been spent by July i, when the time limit will expire. A further appropriation providing for continued purchases until 1920 at the current rateof $2,000, - 000 a year is recommended by the Commission. Under the terms of the law, passed March i, 191 1, $1,000,000 was made available for expendi- ture prior to July i, of that year, and $2,000,000 annually, thereafter, for five years. Because of the time required to examine and survey the lands, and negotiate with owners, the expenditures in the early years of the work were less than the amounts appropriated. The lands thus far approved for purchase have been obtained on what are regarded as very rea- sonable terms. The average price is $5.03 per acre, involving a total expenditure of $5,560,- 202.21, exclusive of the cost of examination and survey. About one-third of the area is virgin timberland, and, while most of the remainder has been cut over or culled, much valuable timber is standing on it also. In 19 14 the purchases ap- proved comprised 391,114 acres at the relatively low price of $4.96 per acre. Areas in which land is to be purchased have been designated also in Alabama, Maine and Maryland, but no purchases in these States have yet been approved by the Commission. Many of the tracts which are being acquired, says the report, present attractive scenery and afford delightful places in which to travel or rest. Some of the most attractive spots have been inac- cessible, but the roads and trails which are being built by the Forest Service will make it easier to reach them. Persons who desire to occupy per- manent camp sites, or places in which to erect resorts, may obtain them on payment of a moder- ate fee. Other special uses which do not injure the forests are likewise permitted, and demands for such have already been made in considerable volume. Since the uses of the acquired lands are begin- ning to take form, it is becoming clear to the public that the forests are to serve the several regions in a number of intportant ways. Perhaps their greatest aid is in the control of forest fires. Roads, trails, and telephone lines will greatly facilitate the protection from fire not only on the government's land, but also on private and State lands adjacent to the national forests. In addi- tion, the range can be more completely utilized, the water resources will be more readily available to the public, and the general use of the moun- tains will be increased. The Forest Service has already began making improvements. Ninety-two miles of roadway, 520 miles of trail, and 25 miles of telephone line have been constructed. This work can be still further extended as soon as proceeds from timber sales begin to come in, as 10 per cent, of the forest receipts is specifically set apart by law for road and trail construction. Not only will the locali- ties affected benefit in this way, but it is provided by law also that 25 per cent, of the forest receipts be paid over to the counties affected for roads and schools. In the virgin timberland which is being ac- quired there are many overmature trees, and the stands partially cut over contain certain kinds of timber which were not utilized at the time of lum- bering. These lands, where there is a sale for the timber at fair prices, will be freed of this deteri- orating material, as well as of such other mature growth as can be spared from the forest without impairing its protective influence. The policy of administration in these forests will call for numer- ous small timber contractors living near at hand, and working in the timber all or a part of the year. Those who may desire to live on govern- ment land will have every opportunity to develop comfortable homes, and use available cleared patches for their gardens and crops. Thus, the forests will be made permanent, and thriving forest communities will be built up. The forests will also serve as practical demon- strations of forestry in the production of successive crops of timber. Government ownership, and management of these extensive areas in the eastern mountains will further benefit the country by pro- viding encouragement and aid for the mountain people in using the resources of the region to best advantage. The nation is getting, from this ac- quisition of national forests in the east, the added advantage of a large and important region turned to its natural use and made permanently produc- tive, while the protection of watersheds will, in a large measure, produce immunity from both flood and low water in a vast section of the country. \ St . ^ FOREST LEAVES. From the appropiation for 1914, there is an estimated balance of nearly $96,000 remaining, which, with what remains of the $2,000,000 ap- propriated for the fiscal year 191 5, is still availa- ble for additional purchases. New Publications. Pennsylvania Trees is the title of a book which was prepared by Prof. J. S. Illick, and just issued by the Department of Forestry. Part I is a general introduction treating of the forests in general — it states that the aggregate original area of the North American Forests was about 850,000,000 acres, which has been reduced so that not more than 550,000,000 acres remain at the present time, and a large portion of this acreage is of an unproductive character. Reference is then made to Pennsylvania, which was practically entirely covered (except a few natu- ral meadows and some mountain tops) by primeval forests, the area being usually given as 28,594,560 acres. The forest flora was rich, due to the climatic and physiographic factors, being the meeting ground of the southern and northern species. The forests in the southeastern and western sections are composed almost entirely of hardwoods, while the central and the northern or mountainous parts have a mixture of hardwoods and conifers, either by themselves, or mixed. Some of the native species were very valuable ; others less so, while still others were mere forest weeds. Nature working through many centuries developed in this State a forest which was the most valuable of the many heritages with which it was blessed, and it was called in earlier days **one of the best timbered States of the Atlantic Coast." Chiefly through fire or unregulated cutting, this forest cover has been removed until today less than 50 per cent, is covered by woody growth, and over 5,000,000 acres of this is barren or unproductive, while many more acres are poor- ly stocked with trees. This should not continue, and conservative lumbering should be substituted for wasteful exploitation. The writer suggests constructive work, similar to that now prevailing in European countries. The history of forestry in Pennsylvania is briefly detailed, and the report then treats of the structure of the forest, its establishment, develop- ment, protection and value. The two general types of trees are described ; reference is made to the ages of different species, while the form and structure of trees, is given in interesting detail and illustrated with numerous plates. Part 2 is essentially a manual of Pennsylvania trees. There are in the State 278 species of trees and shrubs which are native to this State, but only 125 are trees. A marked difference is seen in their abundance, age, size, form, density, value, and productivity. 113 native, and 29 introduced species of trees, are described. The form, bark, twigs, buds, leaves, leaf-scars, flowers, fruit, wood, distinguished characteristics, distribution, habitat and import- ance are given, while attached plates show the leaves, flowers, fruit, and twigs. The book is one of the most valuable of the contributions to the forest literature of Pennsyl- vania, and those who desire a copy should apply to the Department of Forestry, Harrisburg, Pa. The United States government has received $99.40 in settlement for a single sugar pine tree which was cut in trespass in the Stanislaus National Forest, in California, and which yielded more than enough actual lumber to build a good-sized sub- urban frame house. The tree scaled 18,933 board feet and was valued at $5.25 per thousand feet. Not many trees contain enough lumber to build a two-foot board walk nearly two miles long, and this is believed to be the first case on record in which a single tree felled in a National Forest was valued at almost $100 on the stump, although National Forest timber is frequently sold at con- siderably higher rates per thousand feet B. M. At least 25 per cent, of the larch timber over large areas in eastern Oregon has been killed or weakened by mistletoe, and the forest service is taking steps to combat the pest. Yellow poplar, or tulip tree, the largest broad - leaf tree in America, has been known to reach nearly 200 feet in height and 10 feet in diameter. Of the 503 fires reported by the forest service as having occured in 1914 on the national forest purchase areas in the White Mountains of New England and the southern Appalachians, 319, or 60 per cent. , were caused by sparks from locomo- tives. 272 of these fires occurred in Virginia alone, and of these 227 were from locomotive sparks. 379 of the fires were confined to areas less than 10 acres each, and 296 were extinguished before y^ of an acre had been burned. The total loss amounted to $2,192, and the cost of fire-fighting to $1,300. ^1 i\ FOREST LEAVES. HANDBOOK OF TREES opened at Red Oak. Observe THAT TWO PAGES FACING EACH OTHER ARE DEVOTED TO A SPECIES. Lines in background indicate square inches. "A perfectly delightful book. A source of inspiration to every lover of trees.~,7«Mrr#al of JiJduration. " The most satisfactory volume I possess on the subject, out ot a total ot some 250 books on this and kindred subjects " —Dean Alvord, Netv York HANDBOOK OF TREES of the Northern States and Canada. Photo-descriptive. By Romeyn Beck Hough. Shows the fresh leaves, fruits, branchlets, and barks photographed to a sc^ale with the vividness of reality. Distributions are in- dicated by individual maps and wood- structures by photo-micrographs. Other information in text. All species of the region are covered. Price : In buckram binding, $6 ; in half-morocco, |8, delivered. •* With it one wholly unfamiliar with botanv can easily identify the trees."— Metville Dewey. rresH Vt, Library A»s*n. " Indispensable for all students of trees." —Jiotanical Gazette. " Extraordinarily thorough and attractive. Its illustrations almost carry the scent and touch of the original."— JVet«; York Titnen. " Unique, beautiful, and extremely useful. De- serves a place in the library of every tree-lover." ..XT ^u- V. . . ^ , —The Dial. "Nothmg but praise for the work." —The Nation, " It is doubtful if any book placed before the public in recent years possesses the peculiar charm of this handbook." — St. Ltouitt Lunibemian, " The most ideal handbook I have ever seen. A model in treatment and execution."— C. Hart Merriam. LEAF KEY TO THE TREES. By Romeyn Beck Hough. A compact pocket-guide in flexible covers, convenient to carry in pocket or hand-bag when you so afield 75 cents. Included with the HANDBOOK or AMERICAN WOOD.S without extra charge. Price, AMERICAN WOODS. Illustrated by Actual Specimens. By Romeyn Beck Hough. The specimens of woods used in illustrating this work are in the form of thin sections showing transverse, radial and tangential views of the grain. These, when examined in transmitted light, reveal dis- tinctive characters and points of interest that are a revelation. An accompanying text gives full information as to uses, properties, distri- butions, characters, etc. The work is issued in Parts, each covering 25 species. Price: |5, per Part in cloth binding; |7.50 in half- morocco. AMERICAN WOODS is of great interest and value to all who are interested in or desire to be able to recognize the various woods and learn about them. The strongest of testimonials to its value lies in the fact that its author has been awarded, by the Franklin Instisute of Philadelphia, the special Elliott Oresson Gold Medal on account of its production. Mounts of Woods for the Microscope, showing transverse, radial, and tangential sctions under a single cover-glass. Invaluable in the study of wood-technology. Highly endorsed for laboratory study. We have recently supplied 1,500 to a single school. Mounts of Woods for Stereopticon and Stereopticon Views of Trees, their characteristic fresh leaves, flowers, fruits, barks, and branchlets. Invaluable for illustrating lectures and talks on trees. VOLUME OF AiVIERlCAN WOODS DISPLAYED. Observe that the THREE SPECIMENS ILLUSTRATIVE OF A SPECIES ARE MOUNTED TOGETHER AND THAT THE ILLUSTRATIVE PAGES ARE SEPARABLE TO FACILITATE EXA- MINATION. Exhibits of our lines may be seen at the following addresses : Office of PA. FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, PERWAXEXT EDUCATIOXAL EXHIBIT, 1012 Walnut St., PHILADELPHIA, PA. 70 5tli Ave, Cor. 13th St., NEW YORK. Office of FRANKLIN H. HOUOH, Esq., 900 F St. N. W., Suite 519-521, WASHINGTON, D. C. You are cordially invited to call and inspect the one most convenient to you or to write for particulars and samples to ROMEYN B. HOUGH COMPANY, Box G, Lowville, N. Y. A "'^ y FOREST LEAVES. The Pennsylvania State College FOUR YEAR COURSE IN FORESTRY. A thorough and practical undergraduate course in technical forestr}^ — preparing men for all lines of professional and applied forestry. Special attention is paid to practical field work in surveying, mapping and forest measurements. One of the largest of the State Forest Reserves is within a short walk of the College. For information regarding entrance requirements, expenses, etc., address DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, STATE COLLEGE, PA. J. T. ROTHROCK, Consulting Forester, WEST CHESTER, PA. Terms upon Application. FORESTERS CONSULTING AND OPERATING The beauty and value of forest growth depends materially on the proper care and training of the trees. Nature is in many things a rough mother. Her method of pruning leads to decay ; she over- burdens the trees with superabundant growth ; the feeding matter is washed off the hillsides and in exposed situations the dropping leaves, the main source of food supply, are blown away. Proper and scientific pruning will prevent decay and relieve the tree of superfluous growth, while well advised planting will conserve the food supply. With our professional foresters and trained corps of scientific pruners we are prepared to give the best possible attention to forestry problems and to properly treat ornamental trees and shrubs of all kinds. CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY, CHESTNUT HILL, PHILA. 30 minutes rom Broad St. Station. BOARDING SCHOOL FOR BOTS. Illustrated Catalogue upon appHeatioUm JAMES L. PATTERSON, Head Matter. BOARD OF TRUSTEES: The Bishop op the Diocese of Pennsylvania, President. Samuel F. Houston, Vice-President. George Woodward, Secretary and Treasurer. Thomas Meehan & Sons, Inc. LANDSCAPE GARDENERS AND ENGINEERS Mount Airy, Philadelphia, Pa. JAMES M. BECK. WALTON CLARK. JACOB 8. DI88T0N. EDGAR DUDLEY PARIES. FRANCIS I. GOWEN. J. LEVERING JONES. DR. HOWARD A. KELLT. FRANCIS D. LEWIS. RANDAL MORGAN. H. GORDON McCOUCH. JAMES R. SHEFFIELD. FREDERICK W. TAYLOR. Of twentj-three graduates in 1910, twenty entered college, and of the twenty, seventeen entered without conditions. >. .- t Vol. XV. Philadelphia, April, 1915. No. 2 Published Bi-Monthly by the PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, loia Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. Entered at the Philadelpma Post-Office as second-class matter. CONTENTS. EDITORIAL. Forestry Meetings at Waterbury and Mrddlebury* C on *n!. '.'■'.■ '.!.".'.'.'!! 18 Cf^J^^^ ^.^ ^^ BRUMBAUGH dcsignatCS State Forest Improvements in 1914 ig ""^ False Economy in Forestry 20 Arbor Day Obligatory in Spain 21 Forest Fires and Their Prevention 21 Central Pennsylvania Forest Fire Protective Association 23 China's Lesson to Pennsylvania 24 Forest Problems in Pennsylvania 24 Trees and Shrubs for Private (irounds and School Yards 26 The European Pine-Shoot Moth 26 Safety First 27 Forest Fires in Pennsylvania in 1914 28 Proposed Pennsylvania Forestry Legislation 29 Loss From Soil Erosion 29 Subscription, s^i.oo per Year. The attention of Nurserymen and others is called to the ad7>antas:es ^FoKKsr Leavks as an advertising medium. Rates 7uill be fur- nished on application. Tl e Pennsylvania Forestry Association, Founded in June, 1886, Labors to disseminate information in regard to the necessity and methods of forest culture and preservation, and to secure the enact- ment and enforcement of proper forest protective laws, both State and National. Annual membership fee ^ Two dollars. Life membership. Twenty-five dollars. Neither the membership nor the work of this Association is intended to be limited to the State of Pennsylvania. Persons desiring to become members should send their names to the Chairman of the Membership Committee, loia Walnut Street, Phila. President, John Hirkinbine. Vice-Presidents. Robert S. Conklin, Wm. S. Harvey, Albert Lewis, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, Samuel L. Smedley. General Secretary^ Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock. Recording Secretary, F. L. Bitler. Treasurer, Charles E. Pancoast. Committees of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association ; Finance. Dr. Henry M. Fisher, Chairman ; Joshua L. Daily, Eckley 13. Coxe, Jr., Wm. S. Harvey, Henry Howson, Jos. Johnson, Albert Lewis, Chas. E. Pancoast, J. Rodman Pau]^ La:o, Dr. Henry S. Drinker. Chairman ; Hon. Marshall IJrown Geo F. Craig, Hon. Lucien W. Doty, W. W. Montgomery, Irvin c' Williams. Membership, Albert H. Weimer, Chairman ; Walton Clark, Hon. Robert S. Conklin. Mrs. Brinton Coxe, O. C. Hillard, Samuel Mar- shall, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, Samuel L. Smedley, Mrs. Alexander Van Rensse aer, L. A. Watres, John H. Webster, Jr., N. P. Wheeler, Dr. W. P. Wilson. Publicatit^n. John Birkinbine, Chairman ; F. L. Bitler, Egbert S Cary, S. B. Elliott, Jos. S. Illick, Dr. J. T. Rothrock, Harrison Souder. Work, Mrs. Brinton Coxe, Chairman ; Mrs. David Reeves, Miss Mary K. Gibson Miss Ethel A. Shrigley, John S. Cope, J. Franklin Meehan, E. E. Wiidman. Office of the Association, 1012 Walnut St., Philadelphia. VrX April 1 6th and 23d as Arbor Days, and his proclamation, when it appears, should command attention from the citizens of the State. Two important factors upon which future forest growth depend are forest propagation and forest fire protection. The planting of seedlings or young trees will each have an influence in forest propagation, even if the number of trees is small, and therefore, planting is to be encouraged as a feature of Arbor Day. The number who find it possible to participate in tree planting is limited, but all may render important service by impress- ing on friends and neighbors the great damage the State sustains by forest fires. If Arbor Days of 191 5 are utilized to awaken a general appre- ciation of the annual loss due to forest fires and their effect on the future, it will result to the ad- vantage of forestry. But until these facts are recog- nized by the general public, and until a sentiment develops which will do more than '* regret" that forests are annually damaged by fire, until such sentiment crystallizes into insistence on drastic punishment of those offending we may look forward annually to chronicling injury by forest fire. In other columns of this issue space is devoted to various phases of the forest fire problem, and attention is invited to the record of fires during 1 9 14, which shows plainly that the State of Penn- sylvania, which has taken so many advanced steps for forestry is wanting in an appreciation of the loss from forest fires, and a comparison of expendi- tures made by different States in extinguishing forest fires shows Pennsylvania is behind a number of other States based on forest area. One con- tributor puts the matter bluntly what is the use of planting trees to have them destroyed by fire, and the writer emphasizes what is undoubtedly true, A/^ 18 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 19 that the public fails to see that the damage is not for to-day but reaches far into the future. A gen- eral appreciation of forest fires and their results, will do more to protect the forest than legislation which is not rigidly enforced because of the ab- sence of such sentiment. J. B. Forestry Meetings at Waterbury and Middlebury, Conn. THE need for greater efforts in forestry on the part of all the States was strongly set forth at Waterbury, Conn., on the 8th and 9th of March, at a conference of forest experts and citizens of Waterbury, held under the auspices of the American Forestry Association, Connecticut Forestry Association, Massachusetts Forestry As- sociation, Pennsylvania Forestry Association, So- ciety for Protection of New Hampshire Forests and the Nattatuck Civic League. Members of the State Forestry Associations from Pennsylvania to New Hampshire brought out clearly the fact that similar neglect of the forests is producing similar sad results in each State, notwithstanding all that the authorities have done in beginning to protect the forests, and in reforestation. Speaking on the topic of forestry in Pennsyl- vania, Mr. S. B. Elliott (whose life has been de- voted to the cause of forestry) pointed out that in our Northeastern States, where fire and erosion have done such destructive work in the wake of the lumberman, it is impossible to depend upon natural regeneration of the forest, because seed trees have been removed and burned. There is no alternative except to replant on a large scale from nursery grown seedlings, as is done in Euro- pean States. Even if we begin now, the pinch of the timber famine will be upon us before the new crop can mature. No time should be lost in organizing this work on a large scale. Desolation on our hills was forcibly presented by Dr. J. T. Rothrock in an illustrated address. The entire audience was moved to a new sense of the need for vigorous State action. No one can hear this address without becoming an enthusiast for forest preservation. It so impressed Mr. Herbert Welsh, of Philadelphia, when given in Witherspoon Hall in that city, that he had 10,000 copies printed, and attractively illustrated. Copies were distributed at Waterbury, and were eagerly taken. A lively address was made by Prof. J. W. Toumey, Director of the Yale T'orest School, upon the subject of State and Town Forests. He pointed out that owing to the long time-element in growing trees, the maintenance of a timber sup- ply cannot be left to the desultory work of private individuals, most of whom cannot afford to wait so long for returns, but that the State and towns should engage in this work on a large scale. He instanced the benefits in certain towns abroad that are largely supported without taxation by the in- come for their public forests. Forestry in Massachusetts was discussed by Mr. Harris A. Reynolds, Secretary of the Massachu- setts Forestry Association, who said that the time is not far distant when the State will have to regulate private timber operations. Pictures of conditions in the National Forests, in the White Mountains, and the Southern Ap- palachians were shown by Mr. Philip W. Ayres, Forester of the Society for Protection of New Hampshire Forests. Under the Weeks Act, Con- gress appropriated $11,000,000 four years ago for the purchase of forest land at the headwaters of navigable streams. This has been used in the White Mountains, where 236,000 acres have been purchased, and the Southern Appalachian Moun- tains, where more than 1,000,000 acres have been secured, but $3,000,000 never became available, and must be re-appropriated if further lands are acquired. Mr. Walter O. Filley, State Forester of Con- necticut, spoke upon Forestry in Connecticut. Hon. Robert S. Conklin, Commissioner of Fores- try in Pennsylvania, was in attendance. Meetings were held also at Middlebury, under the auspices of the Westover School for Girls. The several meetings were presided over by Mr. Herbert Welsh, of Philadelphia, Mr. Frederick J. Hillman, of Springfield, Mass., President of the Western New England Chamber of Commerce, and by Dr. Henry S. Drinker, President of the Lehigh University, and of the American Forestry Association. Dr. Drinker reviewed the progress of the forestry movement in this country. P. W. A. When the schools of Monroe County opened last autumn the Pocono Protective Fire Associa- tion offered a series of prizes, amounting to $25, for essays by pupils on selected topics relating to forest protection. A similar offer was made a year ago, to which 42 contestants replied. This year there have been 65 competitors. The object of the Association in giving these prizes is twofold. First : to turn the attention of the scholars towards forestry, and thus to aid in educating the rising generation. Second : by in- teresting the young in matters of conservation ; to also influence the adults in the homes of the school children. State Forest Improvements in 1914. THE work on State Forests during 19 14 was reduced to a minimum on account of lack of funds. The protective work of foresters and rangers consisted of brushing roads, trails, and boundary lines, painting the latter, posting State Forest ''Rules" and fire notices, distributing fire stickers, organizing and assisting fire wardens, building observation towers and telephone lines, assisting private individuals, timber companies, game associations and railroad companies in pre- venting and controlling fires, as well as more or less general educational w^ork in their respective communities. At least 2,000 miles of roads, trails, fire breaks, and boundary lines were worked upon. Many of the roads were simply cleaned of brush, others were improved for better use as driveways, and some were extensions of new roads. In the ma- jority of cases the road and trail work is prelimin- ary to a well-planned permanent road system. There w^ere four steel fire towers and a number of wooden towers erected. Tree outlooks were made where no money was available for more elaborate structures. Gradually a network of these stations is covering the State Forests. As soon as these towers can be connected by telephone with the foresters' headquarters, fires will be very small upon our forests. This system should be rapidly extended over the entire State. During a season when thousands of acres of private forests were being literally ''burned up," the total area burned was less than 16,000 acres or about i^ per cent, out of the 1,000,000 acres owned by the State. On only 6 forests out of 56 did the acreage burned exceed 1,000 acres, and the total for these 6 was 11,000. On a number of forests improvement cuttings were carried on, which have yielded direct profits. Several instances were mentioned specifically in the last number of Forest Leaves. Such opera- tions are protective measures as well as silvicultural ones, and leave the forest in much better condi- tion than before. Game refuges have been established on a num- ber of State Forests, and as a result of the protec- tion afforded, birds and animals have increased. The areas set aside are usually about 3,000 acres in extent, and in the interior of a forest. In the development work carried on by the foresters, some roads have been opened across such refuges, and in several instances improvement cuttings made. Some friends of game have advanced the idea that such operations should not be permitted be- cause of frightening the game from the region. The experience of the Department of Forestry for the past 10 years is to the effect that forest operations as conducted by it do not result in a j lessening of any kind of game. Work carried on over deer feeding and bedding grounds at Mont j Alto, Clearfield, and other places, have not caused j the deer, pheasants and turkeys to leave the place. Apparently, wild animals are not long in learning that in certain places they are safe from molesta- tion. They soon become aware that not every man is their enemy, and pay no attention to op- erations going on. These facts are true generally within State Forests, and especially so in game refuges where game may not be disturbed by hunters at any period of the year. Another phase of the question is, that some- where within each refuge there should always be some young growth coming along. Areas covered with a thick growth of larger trees do not furnish much food for game. If fires are suppressed, as they must be, the present growth will gradually become of large size, and ought to be cut to per- mit young growth to follow it. Old growth at present should be removed for the same reason. Further, it would be an unnecessary economic loss to withdraw from timber production the areas within game refuges now established, and those to be established. The locking up of such large areas within a State Forest would be also an in- convenient and expensive handicap placed upon the proper and orderly forest management. This question is not a new one by any means. It was often discussed, and finally settled in con- nection with forestry work in Europe years ago. In fact, in Germany, France and England, for- estry developed as a factor in the protection and propagation of game, and finally became the more important proposition. In those countries the two go hand in hand without a conflict, and there is no more reason why forestry operations in Penn- sylvania should prove detrimental to game pro- tection and propagation than it has in Europe. During 1914, 3,400,000 seedlings were planted upon State Forests. Four large nurseries were maintained and improved, and this spring there will be about 4,500,000 seedlings for planting. The Stock Survey of the Seven Mountain region progressed satisfactorily during the year, and by the end of 191 5 it is hoped to have a forest map of the area finished, showing topography and growth conditions. During the winter, a very heavy snow and sleet storm covered the northern half of the State, and did an inestimable amount of damage to the growth upon State Forests. Large trees were broken and small ones snapped off near the 20 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. ground. This storm has caused conditions which will make possible heavy fires and will require vears to correct. Roads, springs, and camp sites have been named and posted, so that campers, hunters and fisher- men are finding it more satisfactory to use the forests. The general policy of the Department has been, as heretofore, to develop and maintain the pro- tection, improvement and use of the State Forests, as far as appropriations have permitted. G. H. W. False Economy in Forestry. TV N Arab yokes a camel and a cow to a cart, r^ but it is not a good team, though it may ^ be the best the Bedouin can do with his limited resources. Some of the States in their attempts to provide for their forests are imitating the Arab. They harness a forester to a game warden and put the leading-rein on the warden. In spite of all good intentions, it is not a team likely to do effective work. A number of States have done this and have lived to repent it ; yet, in spite of failures, others are still trying to do it. Efforts to conserve the State's forest resources are commendable ; enthusiasm in the cause is commendable ; steps taken with a sincere purpose of accomplishing something are commendable ; but when any State supposes that it is providing an efficient forestry department by affixing a forester to the game warden's office, it is laboring under a delusion. It is a case of mistaken judg- ment, and failure will follow. A forester's place is higher than a game warden's. The larger field to be covered, the greater respon- sibilities, the wider vision required, the more com- plicated problems to be worked out, the more complete store of basic information demanded, all combine to place upon a forester a line of duty which the game warden knows not of. To place the forester in the subordinate place, and to curb his freedom of action and to discourage his initia- tive, amount to no less than dooming his efforts to failure before he has taken his first step. The argument advanced by legislators in favor of having game and forests under a single com- mission and practically under the same man, is that one commission or one department is more economical than two. Politicians shy from new jobs. They wish to avoid the appearance of mul- tiplying commissions or positions, lest they are accused of extravagance. They know the forests ought to be cared for. The people have asked that steps be taken along that line. So the legis- il3 21 lature, with good intentions but with little in- formation as to results, attaches a forest service to the game warden's job. That has been tried often enough and long enough, and there ought no longer be any doubt of the outcome ; yet the les- son has not been learned. Economy can be so close that it strangles what it is meant to help. Experience has shown that only in rare instances has a game warden or a game commission ever done anything to help forestry. These men are not hostile, but they do not have the proper view- point, and they do not know how. They over- value the importance of wild game, and fail to appreciate the worth of the forests. That is natural from their training and the consequent channel of thought. A few years ago at a conservation meeting in Washington, D. C, a game warden of a southern State, who was also ex-officio forester, delivered a pyrotechnic oration on the glories of forestry, and declared that his overpowering enthusiasm for the science was due to the fact that forests shelter foxes, and fox hunting is the grandest gentleman's sport in the world. That was a pretty accurate exposition of the ordinary game warden's concep- tion of forestry. It may not run to fox hunting, but it is apt to hold that game is the chief thing and forests are supplementary only. It is into hands of men with such inadequate conceptions of the question that some States are willing to place the present and future of their forest re- sources with the attendant complex problems. Some States, after regretable mistakes and ex- pensive experiments, have found their bearings and have divorced forestry from game wardens ; but others are willing to continue experiments along the back tracks of States which have dis- covered their errors and turned from them. The legislatures of a number of States which possess vast forest wealth and possibilities, continue to labor under the delusion that the forest problem is of so little importance that some man who is not a forester and probably not even a lumber- man, can handle it as a side line. Railroads are in charge of railroad men ; agriculture is in the hands of farmers ; colleges are managed by educators, politics by politicians, churches by preachers, and forestry ought to be in the hands of foresters. — Hardwood Record. On the Deerlodge national forest, in Montana, one lookout station has the record of reporting accurately, by distance and direction, a fire that was sixty miles away. Wireless telegraphy is being used in Canada in reporting forest fires. Arbor Day Obligatory in Spain. ¥R. CARL BAILEY HURST, U. S. Consul- General at Barcelona, says : Arbor Day in Spain had an official be- ginning in 1898. In view of the satisfactory results obtained since the introduction of this celebration, the Spanish government has found it advisable to make it general throughout the kingdom. A royal order has just been issued declaring the annual celebration of Arbor Day obligatory in every town- ship and municipality. The date on which this celebration is to occur is to be fixed by the compe- tent local authorities and brought to the atten- tion of all the inhabitants in the neighborhood. It shall be incumbent on the municipal or town councils to invite all the local authorities, associa- tions, and unions, official as well as private, to participate in the ceremonies. Furthermore, the various councils must enter in their estimates for current expenses for each succeeding year such amount as they consider necessary for the purchase of land, where it may be possible, for irrigation and for other indispensable disbursements in con- nection with the tree planting. The governors of provinces can not approve an estimate of expenses for any city or town unless it specifies some amount to be devoted to Arbor Day. j The secretaries of the various councils must send to the governors of their respective provinces a report of the celebration of Arbor Day, which will be called ** Fiesta del Arbol." In this re- port will be mentioned the date, the number of trees planted, the number of persons present, — noting in particular the students of the various educational institutions that participate, — as well as the persons who particularly distinguish them- selves by cooperation. The state of the plantings made in former years must also be especially re- ferred to. Each governor is to form a general review for his province for submission to the Ministry of Agriculture. In view of the lively interest now displayed in the future of Arbor Day in this country, it is hoped here that the decree regulating this celebra- tion will, in time, have a marked influence on the extension of the wooded area in Spain. The King of England has given permission to have a part of the royal estate placed at the dis- posal of the School of Forestry at Cambridge University for purposes of experiment and demon- stration. Forest fires in British Columbia covered more than 300,000 acres during the past year. Forest Fires and Their Prevention. THERE is little call to discuss how needful are the forests, or of what species they should be composed, nor how taxed, if they are to be destroyed by any means before be- coming useful. All such discussion, as well as all efforts to restore where now cut off, or care for those in existence, are useless; for care, time,* labor and money devoted to that end will go for nothing while that great destroyer fire prevails over man's and Nature's efforts. The vast sum of money that has been expended by our State, or that may be expended hereafter, to restore and maintain the forests in useful perpetuity will be lost, and, in addition, the people will suffer for lack of forest products which the State's and other forests should produce, unless some way shall be devised and successfully carried out to prevent their destruction ; and still the destruction goes on. And what are we going to do about it ? The State has expended $275,000 to arrest the chestnut bark disease ; and that expenditure was deemed advisable, and it was so. Now, while the chestnut is a valuable tree it is by no means the most valuable, or one of very great importance in the lumber industry of the country. It last year produced but one and five-tenths per cent, of all the sawed lumber of the United States, and if the amount in ties, telegraph and other poles, and the like, is added the whole amount would not be more than three per cent, of the total timber used ; and if we willingly expended the sum named to save, in the chestnut, this three per cent, of timber used, what should we not be will- ing to expend to save the remaining ninety-seven per cent., for fire destroys all others ; in fact it is less destructive to chestnut than to any other tree because that one will throw up sprouts from a cut or burned stump and none others will. And yet Pennsylvania expends only $37,500 per annum, to protect from fire not only all its own holdings of forest growth but the holdings of all others in the State. Can any one claim that to be business- like ? It certainly is a gratifying fact that the expenditure of this amount has lessened the fires throughout the State, and that lessening shows that it would be wisdom to expend more, for fires are far from being prevented. There are several facts which can be named why we do not take more active measures to prevent fires. Among them — and without question they are important ones — are : I. The lack of apj)reciation, on the part of a large class of our people, of actual forest condi- tions and needs. Few deem forest restoration and preservation of any great importance. If there is u^ 22 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 23 a lack of forest products in their own vicinity they think there are other regions which can and will supply them. If prices of lumber are high and the quality poor they lay it all to the ** lumber trust," or some other imaginary wrong, when the deplorable fact is that our forests are being rapidly exhausted, and we are already in the advance stages of a timber famine. These see no loss in * forest destruction. 2. Another class, and it, too, is numerous, does not look upon fire running over land from which the mature timber has been removed as injurious ; in fact, claim that it is a benefit, for it will fit the ground for pasture or a berry patch. They say ''there is no timber left that is of any market value " — and that is true, if only such as may now be found of value in the market, but not true if we take into consideration the future value — and they overlook the great and important fact that all trees are young once in their lifetime ; and do not stop to think that young trees are as necessary to bring forth a forest as children are to produce mature men and women. 3. Then there is another class, and this, also, is numerous, that has no regard whatever for those who are to come after us, or for the future pros- perity of the State. They look only for them- selves, and actually boast that '' they look out for number one only," and that it is none of their affairs or interest how the future is provided for. Such are wholly indifferent. 4. And there is still another class composed of thoughtless, careless people who, while having no predilection to do evil, and are not criminally dis- posed, yet heedlessly, thoughtlessly, cause forest fires through neglect and carelessness. 5. And lastly, and certainly the most repre- hensible, is that class who are naturally prone to do evil, whom Satan continually rides astride their necks and incites them to fire the forests, and to such there comes a sort of satisfaction to know that some one — no matter who — is injured. These are the downright criminals, the forest incendiaries. Now, whenever attempting to formulate mea- sures for the suppression of forest fires all these classes must be taken into consideration ; but I greatly fear that only severe experience, through lack of needed forest product, or legal punish- ment, will ever bring them all to a comprehension of what is before us, and that forests must be pro- tected. The first three classes named cannot be charged with actual wrong doing. Their' s is the sin of omission. They do not deem any action necessary, and, as remarked, only experience is likely to convince them that they are failing in their duty. They do not see that it is as great a wrong to set fire to the forest as it is to set fire to a barn or a mill. Nothing but education, brought about by experience, can change them. The last two classes can be divided into the criminally negligent and the downright vicious , incendiary. While the first of these should be held financially responsible, and if he repeat the offense, criminally so, the last is an absolute crimi- ' nal in every sense of the word, and he should ! suffer the penalty of imprisonment. But how are these two classes to be brought to the bar of ; justice? We should look facts squarely in the ! face. The lamentable truth is that, thus far in I our history as a State, it has been well-nigh im- , possible to bring the guilty parties to conviction I for their crimes ; and for two reasons : One is the indifference of the public at large, and the other is the difficulty in securing evidence that the courts and juries will accept as satisfactory and sufficient. Many a burglar has gone to prison and even a murderer to execution on circumstantial evidence of a character which both court and jury will reject as wholly insufficient in the case of in- ] tentionally firing the forests ; and especially so if it has been done carelessly. Only the most posi- tive and overwhelming evidence will be accepted as sufficient to convict, and then the jury fre- quently places the cost of prosecution on the county. Added to this is the difficulty of finding out the culprit, and it is no wonder that convic- tions are '' few and far between." All this must be changed before any considerable reform can be expected, and public opinion only can bring that about. Our laws are plain, positive, and fairly stringent, but they are not enforced as they should be, and I am compelled to say that the public is largely responsible for the failure. Whenever a forest fire occurs the detection of the crime or fault is left entirely to the too few State officials, when every one should realize that on himself rests, as much as on the official, the labor of detecting and bringing the offender to justice, for a fire injures every one. This failure causes great loss and un- necessary expenditure of money besides failure to bring the guilty party to justice. I can see no better way than for the legislature to ])rovide means to establish, in largely forested areas, lookout towers, with telephone connections with others, and reaching to points where help can be secured, and the appointment of a larger number of fire wardens, some of whom should be mounted ; and all to have power to arrest offen- ders without warrant. But it is urged that this will be expensive. To be sure it will ; but who- ever objects to such expenditure is urgently re- quested to suggest some less expensive or more efficient method of suppressing forest fires. If they can do it ''without money and without price," I have little doubt but they can have the job. We must do something or have our forests destroyed. There is no escape from that. To claim that a new forest of valuable species will come on after fire has destroyed the young trees is sheer nonsense, and whoever asserts that it will is grossly ignorant of forest results, and forest conditions ; and to claim that fires cannot be pre- vented is no less absurd or farther from the truth. Hundreds of townships in the State have each niore forest ground burned over annually than either Switzerland, France, or Germany. It is seldom that more than 300 acres are burned over in any one year in Germany, and one-fourth of her area is forested. The public there is educated as to what is necessary, and the loss and expense of prevention is consequently low. It is with the Legislature to decide whether more shall be expended in the prevention of fires, and with the public at large, and the courts in the discharge of their duties in making the crime of firing the forests as great as that of firing a barn or mill, to see to it that the laws are obeyed. S. B. Elliott. Twenty-three fire wardens and assistants of Monroe County met on xMarch 20th, on invitation of the Pocono Protective Fire Association, to hold their second annual meeting, at Buck Hill Falls. Mr. Edwin A. Hoopes, president of the Associa- tion presided. Forest Inspector George M. Wirt, of the State Department of Forestry, delivered an address. He stated that there is a gradual ad- vancement towards effective control of forest fires in the State ; the acreage is smaller and the average loss of trees and costs of extinction are slowly diminishing. The marked superiority of trained men in dealing with forest fires, over the work of ordinary, unskilled persons was shown. On the State lands last year only one and one-half per cent, of woodlands were burned over — a marked contrast to the extensive fires that spread in many counties. Remarks were also made by the Secretary of the Association, Dr. W. R. Fisher, and by Dis- trict Forester Strobeck, who gave the wardens full instructions upon their duties during the coming fire season. A general discussion followed in which many of the wardens took part. These annual meetings have been instituted by the Pocono Protective Fire Association with the desire to promote fellowship among the wardens, to provide a time and place for an interchange of ideas, and to develop a sense of responsibility ' towards the State, and towards the people of the community. Central Pennsylvania Forest Fire Protective Assocfation. WE have before us the Annual Report of The Central Pennsylvania Forest Fire Protective Association. It is full of hope because it is the work of citizens in the fire infested regions of the State, who have banded together to stop the unnecessary, wicked, criminal waste of the State's resources. We have no words of commendation too strong to express our sym- pathy with the purpose, of this and the kindred, Pocono Association. When such a sentiment as led to the formation of these associations exists over the State, forest fires will cease to exist, and Pennsylvania will be on the road to a proper con- servation of its resources. For $1,745.02 three hundred thousand acres (300,000) of forest land were cared for. Here follows ** summary of the work accom- plished." I St. Increase of the patrol force. 2d. Seventy-four small fires extinguished in their incipiency. Forty-one fires fought by pa- trolmen. Ninety per cent, of the causes of these fires are known. Justice meted to offenders. 3d. Ninety miles of roads and trails were worked on. 4th. Nine miles of telephone line were con- structed. 5 th. Systematic distribution of forest-fire posters and literature. 6th. Co-operation with railroad and individual burning right of way of brush, etc. 7th. Purchase of tools. 8th. Increase of 25 per cent, in the member- ship. This was accompanied with a healthy fi- nancial increase. 9th. Fewer fires occurred, less than half the area burned this year than in the year 191 3. loth. A complete map of the whole area em- braced within the confines of the Association. nth. A State Forester elected to act as Secre- tary and Forester for the Association. **The Association doing work is located in Centre County, north of the Bald Eagle Valley, in the townships of Biirnside. Snow Shoe, Curtin, Boggs, Liberty, Howard, Union, Huston, Worth, Taylor, and Rush completes its second year as an organization for the prevention and suppression of the forest fire." We respectfully submit that this is a good record I Who can beat it? J. T. R. The New York State forest nurseries have a capacity of 28,000,000 young trees a year. 24 FOREST LEAVES. China's Lesson to Pennsylvania. OUR illustrations of the desolated regions of China came to us by the courtesy of the Director of the United States Geological Survey, Mr. George Otis Smith. The photo- graphs were taken by Mr. Bailey Willis ^* while on furlough from the Geological Survey." We desire to return our most sincere thanks to those who have rendered it possible for us to place before our citizens such irrefutable evidence of the disastrous consequences of leaving a hilly country without a protective forest covering. The portions of China in which these pictures were taken were once well -wooded, and the ruin of the country began with the removal of the tim- ber, from one to two hundred years ago ; which is a shorter time than civilized man has been in this country. To-day, in Pennsylvania, there are thousands of square miles which are on the way to as barren a condition as any area in China— and which will become as waste and unproductive, unless prompt measures are taken to prevent it. Neglect of this duty, will entail an enormous expense upon those who follow us ; will diminish our productive areas and cause depopulation of ground which should be the home of a contented and industrious popula- tion. Will the Legislature furnish the means to avert the danger? J. T. Rothrock. Forest Problems in Pennsylvania. DR. J. T. ROTHROCK delivered an illus- trated address on the above topic under the auspices of the Committee on Work of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association before the Legislature and the general public, in the Hall of the House of Representatives, Harrisburg. on Tuesday evening, March 23d. Mr. John Birkinbine, President of the Penn- sylvania Forestry Association was prevented from attending by ilhiess, and in his absence Dr. Henry S. Drinker, President of Lehigh University, and of the American Forestry Association, presided at the meeting. In introducing the speaker Dr. Rothrock's life-work in forestry was briefly sketched. Dr. Rothrock made an interesting and instruc- tive address from which the following abstracts are taken. After calling attention to the origi- nal primeval forests of Pennsylvania he said : ''Thousands of square miles were robbed of the timber in advance of any actual need, and the naked soil abandoned for fire and flood to im- poverish and make unproductive ! It is scattered over the central parts of the State, on the highest plateaus, about the headwaters of the streams and on the shaly slopes of the inferior ridges. Agri- culture has been attempted on a portion of it, but often proved so unremunerative that the land and the farmer grew poorer with each succeeding year. If it were possible to gather these acres together, they would make an area 80 miles long and 80 wide, which is about one-seventh the area of the State. It is an astounding statement that in my life- time I have seen practically one-seventh of this Commonwealth cease to produce wealth, power, or food for the remainder of the State ! Sixty years ago from the mouth of the Sinnema- honing, northwest to the Allegheny River at Warren, 75 miles as the crow flies, was an almost unbroken forest. 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 ! I have no contention with the lumbermen of those days. The timber was there. It was ma- ture. It was thought to be needed as f^ist as it was cut. The men who cut the trees and the men who sawed the logs into lumber have left. The coun- try is the poorer because they have gone ; for they were industrious, strong-armed, brave-hearted men, loyal and efficient in the Wars of the Revo- lution, 181 2, and the Rebellion. But how about the land? Too poor to farm for the most part, often 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. The mistake was in the failure to realize that production of forests was the one predestined function of our mountain ranges and stony ridges, and, of course, as a consequence no one thought of jnitting them back to timber— as Germany, France, or Switzerland would have done. Ignorance often invites, but seldom averts, a penalty. To-day the lesson of China compels attention. To what extent can we, by prompt action, escape the penalty invoked by violation of natural law when the protecting forest cover was removed, and fire and flood invited to do their wor^t on our steep, rocky slopes ? Proper care of the soil is the most important function of government, for on it not only the life of the community depends, but the stability of the government itself. Recent reports state that 450 miles of the Chi- 4' Forest Leavks, Vol. xv., No. 2. IN DESOLATED CHINA. VALLEY OF THE SHA-HO WITH THE TOWN OF TOU-PING AND DISTANT GRANITE-GNEISS MOUNTAINS, CHILI PROVINCE, CHINA. IN DESOLATED PENNSYLVANIA SCENE OF FOREST FIRE WHICH DESTROYED CUT TIMBER, YOUNG GROWTH AND BURNED OUT THE VERY SOIL. HEAD OFF FOREST FIRES! Forest Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 2. IN DESOLATED CHINA. EN ROUTE FROM TSA PU TO LIU-YUEN, NORTHWEST SLOPE ABOUT THREE MILES FROM TSA PU WU-TAI DISTRICT. SHANSI, CHINA. EFFECTS OF RECENT EROSION AS A RESULT OF DEFORESTATION.' IN DESOLATED PENNSYLVANIA. SCENE OF FOREST FIRE. IT WILL REQUIRE YEARS TO MAKE GOOD THE LOSS OF TIMBER AND SOIL. THERE ARE MILES AND MILES IN PENNSYLVANIA LIKE THIS! FoRKST Lkavks, Vol. xv., No. 2. IN DESOLATED CHINA. VALLEY OF THE SHA-HO WITH THE TOWN OF TOU-PING AND DISTANT GRANITE-GNEISS MOUNTAINS. CHILI PROVINCE, CHINA. IN DESOLATED PENNSYLVANIA SCENE OF FOREST FIRE WHICH DESTROYED CUT TIMBER, YOUNG GROWTH AND BURNED OUT THE VERY SOIL. HEAD OFF FOREST FIRES: INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE Forest I.eavks, Vol. xv., No. 2. IN DESOLATED CHINA. I EN ROUTE FROM TSA PU TO LIU-YUEN, NORTHWEST SLOPE ABOUT THREE MILES FROM TSA PU WU-TAI DISTRICT, SHANSI, CHINA. EFFECTS OF RECENT EROSION AS A RESULT OF DEFORESTATION.' IN DESOLATED PENNSYLVANIA. SCENE OF FOREST FIRE. IT WILL REQUIRE YEARS TO MAKE GOOD THE LOSS OF TIMBER AND SOIL. THERE ARE MILES AND MILES IN PENNSYLVANIA LIKE THIS! vN FOREST LEAVES. 25 cago, Minneapolis & St. Paul Railroad are soon to be electrified, because (first) abundant power exists in the great falls of the Missouri ; (second) because one-horse power steam costs annually ^150, while the same energy derived from elec- tricity costs $40. It must be remembered, the question of water power 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 per- sistent power ; that which may be depended upon when needed. It is in this aspect that the forest covering be- comes so important, because it is the water which soaks into the ground and not that which flows off of the surface upon which a sustained water sup- ply depends. There is still another relation existing between our forests and water in which we can readily notice the danger of water on cleared ground. 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 which the river has come. It represents the best, most soluble part of the soil. Its loss is in every in- stance a detriment to the farm from which it has come. On the forest covered mountain side many small streams are tumbling down over a rocky bed ; but, if you observe closely, you will find that the water is usually almost clear, and it is almost never muddy ; though, owing to the steeper slope down which that water has come, the tendency to wash- ing out of soil was greater than on the river side. The reason is plain : on the forest floor the bed of leaves arrested the rapid flow of water, covered and protected the soil, while the roots descending between the rocks served as lines along which much of the water penetrated into the depths. Fertile soil is perhaps the most precious inheri- tance received from the long past. 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 main- tain the fertility of the soil ; in the forest the soil of itself renews its fertility. One more look at these desolated hills ! Ob- serve, 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 prospect of immediate reforesta- tion, except at great expense. 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 re- stored growth is the best timber or, indeed, that it is timber at all in any proper sense of the word. The first essential in forestry is prevention of forest fires. The word prevention is used ad- visedly. 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 hQ prevented hy the presence of a sufficient patrol ; second, of promptly ex- tinguishing them, if started, and, third, of dis- covering how the fire was started and promptly bringing the offender to punishment. The method of reforestation must necessarily be varied. In some instances clean cutting will be resorted to. In others, desirable 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 example, 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, however, necessary, is always slow. The policy to be adopted for such lands as are better adapted to the growth of timber than any other crop is : First. Replant the treeless land with seedlings of the most desirable species so far as possible. Second. Carefully safeguard against fire the most promising lands on which there exists a reasonable stand of timber, and underplant in it the ** shade enduring" species as much as possible. Third. Protect the remaining soil of the steep, rocky, treeless parts by any growth, however worthless, if it will only afford a soil cover while living, and aid in producing soil when dead. The lesson of these waste lands is : Plant what you can at once, and for the rest aid nature in covering them with whatever will grow best, and prevent destructive washing away of soil. Bear in mind that the whole problem of forest restora- tion is urgent, though some portions of the work are more urgent than others. Note, however, that where forest fires are tolerated, the best for- estry efforts will produce small results. Even under the most favorable conditions the State will, for many years, miss the income formerly received from its lumber industries, which once aggregated nearly $30,000,000 an- nually as the lumber fell from the saw. ' ' 26 FOREST LEAVES. Trees and Shrubs for Private Grounds and School Yards. THE U. S. Department of Agriculture has just issued a pamphlet recommending the kind of shade trees and ornamental shrubs to be planted in different sections of the United States. District No. i. Includes New England States, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and the species recommended are — Deciduous Trees. — Sugar maple, Norway maple, silver maple, green ash, white ash, American white elm, red oak, white oak, pin oak, American linden. Evergreen Trees. — Norway spruce, white spruce, Colorado blue spruce, white pine, Scotch pine, balsam fir. Shrubs. — Lilac, golden bell, exochorda, snow- ball, mock orange, hydrangea, Japan quince, flow- ering currant, calycanthus, cornus,deutzia, spiraea, weigela. The beauty of a shade tree depends upon its normal and symmetrical growth. In order to in- sure this, before planting cut off the ends of all broken or mutilated roots ; remove all side branches save upon evergreens, so that a straight whip-like stalk alone remains. Dig holes at least 2 feet in diameter, and i foot deep in good soil, and make them 4 feet across in poor soil. The sides of holes should be perpendicular and the bottom flat. Break up soil in the bottom of the hole to the depth of the length of a spade blade. Place 2 or 3 inches of fine top soil, free from sods or other decomposing organic matter, in the bot- tom of the hole. On top of this place the roots of the tree, spread them as evenly as possible over the bottom of the hole, and cover with 2 or 3 inches of fine top soil as before. Tramp firmly with the feet and fill the hole with good earth, leaving the surface loose and a little higher than the surface of the surrounding soil. When the work of planting is completed, the tree should stand about 2 inches deeper than it stood in the nursery. In order to insure symmetry of growth, trees must be allowed unrestricted area for develop- ment. At least 40 feet should be allowed between trees intended to occupy the ground permanently. Quick-growing temporary trees may be ])lanted between the long-lived ones to produce immediate results, but these should be removed as soon as they interfere with the development of the per- manent plantations. 1 FOREST LEAVES. The European Pine-Shoot Moth. THE U. S. Department of Agriculture, in Bulletin ijOy calls attention to the Eve- j tria buoliana, a small orange-red moth, one ' of the most injurious insects to the pine-forests of Europe. The larva eats out the new buds and I kills or deforms the young twigs of pine trees, causing them to bend downward and outward, and afterward grow up again in a curve so as to seriously and permanently lower their timber value. This pest was first noted, in 19 14, in Long Island, having been introduced on European nursery stock, and investigations show that it has become established in 32 nurseries and parks in a number of localities in nine States. Only two instances have been found in Pennsylvania. In no location, except Long Island, has the species ex- isted for more than two years, and in most but one year. Evetria buoliana is confined to pine and does not attack other coniferous trees. The species attacks mainly young trees between 6 and 15 years of age, but it is often extremely destructive to younger plantings and seedlings, and injurious to older trees, though trees of 30 years old are rarely seriously aff'ected. In Europe the moths issue in July and sit on the branches. Early in August the eggs are laid singly on the new buds for next year's growth, the terminal cluster being usually selected. The young larva soon hatches, and eats its way into the bud making a roomy cell. It attains only a few millimeters growth during the fall months, and overwinters in the hollow bud. In May, when the sap begins to flow the larva leaves its winter quarters, and bores into the next bud thereto in turn destroying this and as many others as it needs for food. As the remaining buds begin to grow into shoots the larva attacks them. The youngest shoots are killed, while those more developed are injured only on one side continuing to grow but are bent downward at the injured spot. The larva feeds only on the soft growth on which the needles have not appeared. The larva then makes a silk lined chamber in one of the hollow shoots and here it ])upates. After three weeks the spiny pupa pushes itself halfway out through the dry cell of its chamber, and the moth or adult issues. The pine-shoot moth is about one-half inch loir^' and three-fourths of an inch across with wings ex- tended. The head and thorax are light orange yellow, and the abdomen dark gray. The fore- wings are bright ferruginous orange, suff'used with dark red, especially towards the tips, and with several irregular, forked anastomizing, sil- 27 very cross lines and costal strigulge ; the hind- wings are dark blackish brown. The legs are whitish, and the anterior ones reddish in front. The eggs are very small, whitish in color, and laid at the base of a bud. The larva is two-thirds of an inch long, dark brown with deep, black head, and thoracic shield the latter divided by a narrow central line. The body of the older larva be- comes somewhat lighter. The pupa is stout, ro- bust, light chestnut brown, with darker head and back. The wing covers reach to the end of the fourth abdominal segment. The abdominal seg- ments are armed with rings of short, sharp, black- ish-brown spines. In Europe the Evetria buoliana has a number of parasite enemies. There are allied indigenous species in this coun- try, but they confine themselves to a single or a few species of pine, while the European moth thrives on all, and is more voracious. In Europe the infected twigs are picked by hand when the insect is within the twigs, and can most profitably be done in the fall and winter months. The slight exudation of pitch at the base of the bud, covering the entrance hole of the larva, is very characteristic, and easily recognized. The trees attacked by this pest are maimed, the majority of the trunks being so twisted and crooked that their value as timber is materially lessened The Department hopes to be able to stamp it out in America. Safety First. SAFETY FIRST," efficiency, and conser- vation, are three terms that are upon the lips of the people upon all occasions, and easily understood and appreciated. They are being applied to all phases of work both private and governmental. P^fficiency commissions, and the conserving of material and human wealth by national and State governments are in vogue. Although this condition exists, the people are not yet entirely awake to the foundation prin- ciple of all three of these ideas. The best con- servation of efl'ort, time, money, resources, health, and life is expressed in the idea of the prevention of waste. The remedying of ills and the restora- tion of things which can be restored are noble actions, but many ills cannot be remedied and ! many resources cannot be restored. The preven- 1 tion of accidents and of unsatisfactory conditions is wiser, cheaper, and more far-reaching than amelioration. The old saws **An ounce of pre- vention is worth a pound of cure," and **A stitch in time saves nine" are just as true to-day as ' when first uttered. Efficiency implies *' safety first ' ' and conservation. Forestry is one branch of the conservation movement, and the protection of forests from fire is a part of forestry. Safety first in forest manage- ment is just as wise and just as important as in manufacturing or in railroading ; in fact, more so. Industries could continue without the safety first idea being developed very far, but in the case of forests, forestry is not possible without protection from fire. Any system of forestry is doomed, is the limit of inefficiency, if forest fires are not sup- pressed. It is a recognized principle that the Common- wealth has an important interest at stake in the forests within its borders. A peculiar relation exists which, under our form of government, is rather difficult to handle, but in the majority of cases attempts to meet the problem have resulted in the purchase, or retention of certain lands to be held by the State for forest management of one kind or another. Other efforts have been educa- tion, reduction of taxes, distribution of seeds and seedlings, and fire extinction. Usually the last effort has been the weakest one. In Pennsylvania, forest fire laws are as old, and older, than the Commonwealth. More recent agitation for a proper care of forests dates from 1877, and an active State policy dates from 1893. The danger and results of forest fires have been recognized but the idea that the prevention of fires should take the lead of all other moves seems even yet to be foreign to the majority of our people. There are approximately 8,000,000 acres of so- called forest land in Pennsylvania, exposed to the curse of fire. An average of 500,000 acres burns over each year. Most of it is burned over once every ten years. No system of forest management can flourish under such a condition. No Com- monwealth can provide for future welfare under such a condition. The direct loss from these fires is close to $1,000,000 a year, and what the in- direct loss is no one can calculate. No people can forever suffer such a useless loss, nor is it sen- sible to expect them too. The mere fact that they do not realize their loss is no excuse for the State's permitting the condition to exist. But as a safety measure the Legislature will per- mit the expenditure of $2,300,000 to purchase 1,000,000 acres of waste land, and an additional inadequate sum of $1,250,000 for the develop- ment of that land, more than half of which will require an expenditure of $25 an acre to get it in productive shape. It will limit the purchase price per acre to $5, and expect the Department of Forestry to protect it and develop it with an ad- ditional $1.25 per acre. Even if adequately sup- 28 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 29 ported, the State's 1,000,000 acres in good condition will not offset the harm of the other 7,000,000 in desolate condition. It authorizes the planting of seedlings and makes possible the burning up of the millions of little trees for every thousand planted. It inadequately provides for what the State itself already owns, and appropri- ates ^50,000 for two years to protect the total area of 8,000,000 acres. Surely it is cheaper at $100,- 000 or even $200,000 per year to protect all the forests from fire than it is to appropriate $25,000 per year, and permit the people and the State to lose over $1,000,000 each year. It makes one feel like crying ^^How long, O Lord, how long must we wait to apply the law of safety first to forests, of efiiciency in forest protection, of pre- vention rather than extinction." The subject is not a political one ; it is vital to the very exist- ence of the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania's undoubtedly in the lead of all other States in the Union in general forestry work, but it has let others take the lead in the matter of fire protection. The following table is an interesting one for comparison : Average Forest Area Per Acre to •5'^^e. Protected.. Appropriation be Pro- Acres, for 1913. tected \^aine, 9,500,000 $67,900 50.007 New Hampshire, . . 4,000,000 16,000 ' .004 Vermont, 3,000,000 3,500 .001 Massachusetts, . . . 2,500,000 25,000 .010 Connecticut, .... 1,500,000 2,000 .001 New York, .... 7,200,000 75,ooo .010 Pennsylvania, . . . 7,500,000 25,000 .0031^ New Jersey, . . . . 1,800,000 15,000 .008 Maryland, 2,000,000 4,000 .002 Kentucky, .... 15,000,000 5,000 .0003 Wisconsin, .... 15,000,000 35, coo .002 Minnesota, .... 20,000,000 75,000 .004 Montana, 1,700,000 3,500 .002 ^^^^o, 4,000,000 15,000 .004 Washington, . . . 15,000,000 38,000 .003 Oregon, 15,000,000 30,000 .002 Most of the States noted obtain additional sums for fire prevention from timber owners' organiza- tions, and from the National Government. Both Massachusetts and New York appropriate a cent per acre for fire protection. The acreage per fire in Massachusetts in 1912 (the latest fig- ures) was II acres. In New York the average number of acres per fire was 18, while in Penn- sylvania it was in 1913, 508 and in 19 14 it was 305. This is a tremendous indictment against the people themselves, and against the fire protective system which they have provided in particular. An effective organization is possible and Pennsyl- vania ought to have it. l Forest Fires in Pennsylvania in 1914. FOREST FIRES were reported in every month of the year except January and Feb- ruary, the greater number, almost 500, oc- curring in November. Next in order of numbers is the month of May ; followed by October, April, September and June. In all, 1,155 ^^^es were re- ported. In 1913 only 927 fires were reported. The total acreage burned over in 19 14 was 352,- 394 acres, of this amount only about 16,000 acres or 1 14 percent, were State forests, as compared fo 470, 73^ acres in 1913. The total loss reported in 1 9 14 was $663,638.30 while for 1913 it was $761,590. The cost of extinction paid for by the State in 1914 was $30,778.29, in addition to this ^i>535-49 ^^'^s spent for patrol services in 1914. In 1913, the cost for patrolmen was $1,493.25, and for extinction $26,451.93. While it is true that these figures are not cor- rect because of certain inaccuracies in reports and because of fires which were not reported at all, yet they show some basis for comparison between the two years. 19 14 was undoubtedly a year very favorable to forest fires and, as is evidenced by the number of fires reported, we have at least the in- ference, that the fire wardens were more alert and extinguished more fires promptly. It is further true that the acreage burned over in 19 14 was smaller than in 1913, the acreage burned per fire was considerably less, and, notwithstanding the greater number of fires and the increased cost of extinc- tion, the loss reported was over $100,000 less in T914 than in 1913. It is reasonable to place some of this saving upon the fact that the fire wardens were more responsive to their duties, and did more work than in any year previous to this time. The forest fire problem must be solved. It seems foolish to spend large sums of money for other forestry activities as long as the fire protective operations are hampered. With an appro])riation of $100,000 a year, the Forestry Department feels confident of jDreventing three-fourths of the lo.-s which is now occasioned by forest fires, and the probabilities are that a considerably larger saving would be accomplished. Thk arboretum established at Washington in Rock Creek Park, through co-operation between the Forest Service and the District of Columbia, now contains 1,200 trees, comprising 92 different species. The best excelsior is made from basswood, or linden. Aspen and cottonwood, however, supply nearly half of the total amount manufactured. Proposed Pennsylvania Forestry Legislation. THE following bills relating to forestry have been introduced in the Legislature : H. R., 704. Increases the limit of price to be paid for lands to be purchased and used for State forest purposes to ten dollars per acre. H. R., 883. Authorizes the Department of Forestry to grow and distribute young forest trees to those desiring them when the available stock is in excess of that required for State forests. No charge is to be made for same outside of the cost of boxing and shipping. These trees are to be planted according to the direction of the Depart- ment of Forestry, and to be cared for and pro- tected when planted. None of these young forest trees when distributed are to be sold. H. R., 885. Makes it the duty of each Forester and Forest Ranger, to enforce all the laws relating to forestry, fish and game, under the direction of the Forestry Department ; similarly the Game Protectors, Deputy Game Protectors or Special Deputy Game Protectors, are to enforce all the above laws under the direction of the Game Com- mission ; while the Fish W^ardens and Deputy Fish W^ardens are to enforce all these laws under the direction of the Fisheries Department. H. R., 890. Makes a fixed charge of one cent per acre for county purposes on all State forests, the Commission of Forestry to pay the amounts due to the treasurer of the different counties in which these forests are located after the same have been approved by the Auditor- General. H. R., 1236. Permits the Department of For- estry to enter into agreements for the preven- tion and suppression of forest fires with, county, township, municipal and private agencies owning or controlling woodlots, forests or wild lands, whose activities in whole or in part are directed to the prevention and suppression of forest fires, and expend for such execution a sum of money equal to that expended by such agencies. Senate, 276. Directs the County Commis- sioners, of the several counties, to offer for sale to the Department of Forestry tracts of land which they may have purchased at County Treasurers' sales, for acceptance or refusal for forestry pur- poses. And to convey to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania the tracts so offered to be sold if accepted by the Department. The Department of Forestry, after the expiration of the redemption period, can take such lands as are suitable for forestry, provided, the title is good ; and the taxes, interest and cost do not exceed the price fixed by law for the purchase of land. Loss From Soil Erosion. ON account of the value of forests in pro- tecting the headwaters of streams from erosion. Congress authorized the creation of the Appalachian and White Mountain reserves. The immense loss from such cause is but little ap- preciated. Investigators of the United States De- partment of Agriculture found that the loss from soil erosion in the South is greater than in any other section of the country, and wherever hilly land is used for crops, urged that measures for preventing further damage be adopted. The results of the investigation have been published as Bulletin No. 180, *'Soil Erosion in the South." Terracing is recommended as the best and most efficacious method of controlling erosion. It should be supplemented, however, by deep plow- ing and the addition of organic matter to the soil whenever these measures arc possible. Water running rapidly over the surface will carry with it particles of the soil, and the faster it runs the more soil will it carry. In the course of a year the amount of earth that is thus removed reaches col- ossal proportions. Geologists have estimated that the rivers of the United States annually carry to the sea soil material to the amount of 783,000,- 000 tons. In localities where this erosion is car- ried on to an advanced stage the quality of the soil is greatly impaired, a large part of the soluble salts are removed, the surface soils are often washed down to the lowlands, gullying so defaces the land that it becomes difficult to cultivate, and the loss in organic matter frequently causes the field to be abandoned as too poor for profitable agriculture. In the South, it is said, erosion is the chief cause of the abandonment of land, and in some sections has caused 50 per cent, of the arable land to lie idle. All methods of preventing soil erosion are di- rected toward lessening the quantity of water that runs off the surface, and increasing the amount that sinks into the soil. If all the water that falls on a given area were absorbed by the soil there could be no erosion. For this reason vegetation is useful because it checks the flow of the water, and thus affords more time for the process of ab- sorption. In addition to retarding the flow of the water crops keep the soil more or less open by the penetration of their roots, and in this way further facilitate absorption. Deep plowing produces somewhat the same effect, but does not, of course, add any organic matter to the soil which promotes the granulation of the soil particles, and thus pro- duces larger spaces between the particles for the water to sink through. 30 FOREST LEAVES. From tlie ORHAX farms of I.IXXI.E trees and I^AROH values- SPECIAL PRICES ON '^America's Most Beautiful Evergreen" 1 BORN No. 1 Quality Root-Pruned and 7Yi;ice-Transplanted (Heavy) White Pine Trees 3 TO 4 FEET HIGH 1000 trees $295 100 trees $34 1 2 trees $ / 4 trees $3 2 TO 3 FEET HIGH 1000 trees $ 1 70 100 trees $20 12 trees $5 4 trees $2 Plant TWICE-Transplanted Stock for QUICK results NEW ENGLAND GROIYN A Lighter Grade Once-Transplanted White Pine Trees I 2 TO 3 FEET HIGH 1000 trees $85 100 trees $10 12 trees $3 ALL THESE PRICES F.O.B. FRAMINGHAM, MASS. USE WHITE PINE For screening unsightly spots. For brightening dry, barren hill- sides. For underplanting in shade and Nvoodlands. For Windbreaks and Snow- breaks. For shutting out the dust and noise of the road. For tall hedges. For improving lands generally. White l*inf. will add beauty and restfulness to your home. No tree is so easily adapted to i _ . . so many conditions of soil and | This illustration shows our 2 to 3 foot grade site as White Pine. | of TWICE-Transplanted White Pines Plant White Pine in your gar- dens, transplanting them else- where as desired. We would be glad to give you information on this subject. Write To-Day for Our New Illustrated Tree Catalogue MANY MILLIONS of Trees for Ornament and Shade, for Forests, Screens, Hedges and Windbreaks LET US HELP YOU IN ANY MATTER PERTAINING TO TREES NEAR BOSTON MWt "^xn charms uf ^mtxm Nurseries of AMERICAN FORESTRY COMPANY Dept, 8, 15 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. FOREST LEAVES. 81 HANDBOOK OF TREES opened at Red Oak. Observe THAT TWO PAGES FACING EACH OTHER ARE DEVOTED TO A SPECIES. Lines IN background indicate square inches. " A perfectly delightful book. A source of inspiration to every lover of trees.— »7oMrwai of Edtication. •• The most satisfactory volume I possess on the subject, out ot a total of some 250 books on this and kindred subjects." — Dean Alvord, New York HANDBOOK OF TREES of the Northern States and Canada. Photo-descriptive. By Romeyn Beck Hough. Shows the fresh leaves, fruits, branch lets, and barks photographed to a scale with the vividness of reality. Distributions are in- dicated by individual maps and wood- structures by photo-micrographs. Other information in text. All species of the region are covered. Price : In buckram binding, $6 ; in half-morocco, $8, delivered. " With it one wholly unfamiliar with botHny can easily identify the trees "—J»ff7iu/?« Detvey, rresn Vt, Library Ah8*u. " Indispensable for all students of trees." —Botanical Gazette. " Extraordinarily thorough and attractive. Its illustrations almost carry the scent and touch of the original."— iVffic^ York Times. " Unique, beautiful, and extremely useful. De- serves a place in the library of every tree-lover." ..V. ,^. ^ —The I>ial. "Nothing but praise for the work." —The Nation, •' It is doubtful it any book placed before the public in recent years possesses the peculiar charm of this handbook." — St. jLouis JLutnbemian, " The most ideal handbook I have ever seen. A model in treatment and execution."— C. Hart Mertnam, LEAF KEY TO THE TREES. By Romeyn Beck Hough. A compact pocket-guide in flexible covers, convenient to carry in pocket or hand-bag when you so afield Prirp 75 cents. Included with the HANDBOOK or AMERICAN WOODS without extra charge. ' AMERICAN WOODS. Illustrated by Actual Specimens. By Romeyn Beck Hough. The specimens of woods used in illustrating this work are in the form of thin sections showing transverse, radial and tangential views of the grain. These, when examined in transmitted light, reveal dis- tinctive characters and points of interest that are a revelation. An accompanying text gives full information as to uses, properties, distri- butions, characters, etc. The work is issued in Parts, each covering 25 species. Price: $5, per Part in cloth binding; $7.50 in half- morocco. AMERICAN WOODS is of great interest and value to all who are interested in or desire to be able to recognize the various woods and learn about them. The strongest of testimonials to its value lies in the fact that its autlior has been awarded, by the Franklin Instisute of Philadelphia, the special Elliott Oresson Gold Medal on account of its production. Mounts of Wooils for tlie Microscope, showing transverse, radial, and tangential sctions under a single cover-glass. Invaluable in the study of wood-technology. Highly endorsed for laboratory study. We have recently supplied 1,500 to a single school. Mounts of Woods for Stereoi)ticon and Stercoi»1icon Views of Trees, their characteristic fresh leaves, flowers, fruits, barks, and branchlets. Invaluable for ilkistrating lectures and talks on trees. VOLUME OF AMERICAN WOODS DISPLAYED. Observe that the THREE SPECIMENS ILLUSTRATIVE OF A SPECIES ARE MOUNTED TOGETHER AND THAT THE ILLUSTRATIVE PAGES ARE SEPARABLE TO FACILITATE EXA- MINATION. Exhibits of our lines may be seen at the following addresses: Office of PA. FORKSTRY ASSOCIATION, PERMANENT EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT, 1012 Walnut St., PHILADELPHIA, PA. 70 .'itii Are., Cor. 13th St., NEW YORK. Office of FRANKLIN H. HOlCiH, Esq., 900 F St. N. W., Suite 519-521, WASHINGTON, D. C. You are cordially invited to call and inspect the one most convenient to you or to write for particulars and samples to ROMEYN B. HOUGH COMPANY, Box G, Lowville, N. Y. 32 FOREST LEAVES. The Pennsylvania State College FOUR YEAR COURSE IN FORESTRY. A thorough and practical undergraduate course in technical forestry — preparing men for all lines of professional and applied forestry. Special attention is paid to practical field work in surveying, mapping and forest measurements. One of the largest of the State Forest Reserves is within a short walk of the College. For information regarding entrance requirements, expenses, etc., address DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, STATE COLLEGE, PA. CONSULTING AND OPERATING The beauty and value of forest growth depends materially on the proper care and training of the trees. Nature is in many things a rough mother. Her method of pruning leads to decay ; she over- burdens the trees with superabundant growth ; the feeding matter is washed off the hillsides and in exposed situations the dropping leaves, the main source of food supply, are blown away. Proper and scientific pruning will prevent decay and relieve the tree of superfluous growth, while well advised planting will conserve the food supply. With our professional foresters and trained corps of scientific pruners we are prepared to give the best possible attention to forestry problems and to properly treat ornamental trees and slirubs of all kinds. Thomas Meehan & Sons, Inc. LANDSCAPE GARDENERS AND ENGINEERS Mount Airy, Philadelphia, Pa. J. T. ROTHROCK, 7 Consulting Forester, WEST CHESTER, PA. Terms upon Application. -. . - .r CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY, CHESTNUT HILL, PHILA. • I 30 minutes rom Broad St. Station. BOARDING SCHOOL FOR BOYS. niustrated Catalogue upon application, JAMES L. PATTERSON, Head Matter. BOARD OF TRUSTEES: The Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, Fresident, Samuel F. Houston, Vice-President. George Woodward, Secretary and Treasurer. JAMES M. beck. WALTON CLARK. JACOB S. DI88TON. . EDGAR DUDLEY FARIES. FRANCIS I. GOWEN. J. LEVERING JONES. DR. HOWARD A. KELLY. FRANCIS D. LEWIS. RANDAL MORGAN, H. GORDON McCOUCH. JAMES R. SHEFFIELD. FREDERICK W. TAYLOR. Of twenty-three graduates in 1910, twenty entered college, and of the twenty, seventeen entered without conditions. ^b^J^< •^/i. x< Vol. XV. Philadelphia, June, 1915. No. 3 Published Bi-Monthly by the PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, xoia Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. Entered at the Philadelpnia Post-Office as second-class matter. CONTENTS. ^^k.H« Editorial 33 Resolutions of Council of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association... 34 John Birkinbine 34 The Summer Meeting at Foxburg, Pa 35 Spring Planting at Mont Alto 35 Arbor Day in Potter County 36 Forest Fires in Potter County 37 Prevention of Forest Fires 37 Value of Forests in Reducing Floods 38 A Unique Pine and Spruce Planting 39 Jamaica Views 4*> Tree Planting Experiments 4' Forests of ^Pennsylvania 42 Planting ^rees 43 Pennsylvania Forestry Legislation 43 Some Tree Insect Pests 45 Our Annual Wood Waste and How We are Saving It 46 New Publications 46 Subscription, Sx.oo per Year. The attention of Nurserymen and others ii called to the advantages 4/" Forest Leaves as an advertising tnedium. Rates will be fur- nished on application. The Pennsylvania Forestry Association, FOUNDBD IN JUNB, 1886, Labors to disseminate information in regard to the necessity and methods of forest culture and preservation, and to secure the enact- ment and enforcement of proper forest protective laws, both State and National. Annual membership fee. Two dollars. Life membership^ Twenty-five dollars. Neither the membership nor the work of this Association is intended to be limited to the State of Pennsylvania. Persons desiring to become members should send their names to the Chairman of the Membership Committee, loxa Walnut Street, Phila. President, Vice-Presidents, Robert S. Conklin, Wm. S. Harvey, Albert Lewis, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, Samuel L. Smedley. General Secretary ^ Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock. Recording Secretary, F. L. Bitler. Treasurer, Charles E. Pancoast. Finance, Dr. Henry M. Fisher, Chairman ; Joshua L. Baily, Eckley B. Coxe, Jr., Wm. S. Harvey, Henry Howson, Jos. Johnson, Albert Lewis, Chas. E. Pancoast, J. Rodman Paul. Law, Dr. Henry S. Drinker, Chairman ; Hon. Marshall Brown, Geo. F. Craig, Hon. Lucien W. Doty, W. W. Montgomery, Irvin C. Williams. Membership, Albert B. Weimer, Chairman ; Walton Clark, Hon. Robert S. Conklin, Mrs. Brinton Coxe, O. C. Hillard, Samuel Mar- shall, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, Samuel L. Smedley, Mrs. Alexander Van Rensselaer, L. A. Watres, John H. Webster, Jr., N. P. Wheeler, Dr. W. P. Wilson. Publication. F. L. Bitler, Egbert S. Cary, S. B. Elliott, Jos. S. Illick, Dr. J. T. Rothrock, Harrison Souder. IVork, Mrs. Brinton Coxe, Chairman ; Mrs. David Reeves, Miss Mary K. Gibson, Miss Ethel A. Shrigley, John S. Cope, J. Franklin Meehan, E. E. Wildman. Office of the Association, loia Walnut St., Philadelphia. . EDITORIAL. AFTER an illness of ten weeks John Birkin- ^ bine died on May 14th. He had been President of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association for twenty-three years, during which time he had seen the Association become a quiet, yet productive power in developing the forestry interests of the State. His loss will be a heavy one for the Associa- tion to bear. His place will be a hard one to fill, because, in addition to his executive ability, he was always ready to sacrifice his own interests in order to advance those of the Association. Entire absence of selfishness was a marked characteristic of the man. Personal interest and friendship for those with whom he was associated was another of the many traits which endeared him to his fellows. In all of the several departments of engineering in which he worked he ranked high, because of his integrity, attainments and judicial tempera- ment. • For many years he has been editor-in-chief of Forest Leaves, and its most constant con- tributor. It is hard to say farewell to one with whom we have been so long and so happily associated. We shall not soon look upon his like again ! J. T. R. 34 FOREST LEAVES. R^0olution6 of Council of tl)e IJennsgbania JTorestrg ^ssoriation. At a meeting held on May 24th, 1915, the Council of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, passed the following preamble and resolutions ; Whereas, death has sundered the relations which existed between John Birkinbine, as President of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, and the society, it is proper, in view of his long, faithful and useful service, that expression be given to our high appreciation of his work, and that we also tender our sincerest sympathy to the bereaved members of his family. Therefore, be it resolved : — We as an organiza- tion, and as individuals, painfully recognize how serious a loss Pennsylvania forestry has sustained in the departure of President Birkinbine. Year after year, in periods when important forest plans were at stake, as well as when they were bright and success assured, his steady courage, clear view and ready assistance were always a promise of victory. Attention to every detail of the Association's in- terests was a steady habit with him. To be present at the council meetings often involved more or less of a sacrifice of his private busi- ness, yet he was rarely absent. It is not too much to say that the long, active, successful career of our Association is largely due to his wisdom and direction. Resolved: — The Pennsylvania Forestry Association tenders to the family and friends of President Birkinbine its sympathy in this bereavement. The esteem in which he was held by all who had professional or friendly relations with him may temper but cannot remove the sadness of his departure. We expected still a continued ca- reer for him in his chosen profession, and in his other interests, only to be shocked by the information that he was taken hence. We have the well grounded assurance that he was pre- pared to respond to the call of the Kind Father, who does all things well. On behalf of the American Forestry Associa- tion I beg to offer a tribute of appreciation of the services of John Birkinbine to our country. He was a great man — a good man — a great engineer — a leader in the proper development and con- servation of the national resources of our country — and withal, he was a friend dearly loved by those who were admitted to the privilege of his friendship. The memory of his patriotic and unselfish services to Pennsylvania, and to our country at large will long live, and his death has brought sorrow to the forest lovers of America. Henry S. Drinker. FOREST LEAVES. 35 JOHN BIRKINBINE. AFTER a long illness John Birkinbine passed ^ away on Friday afternoon. May i4th^ 191 5, ending a useful life of the allotted threescore and ten years. In early life he was manager of the Pine Grove charcoal blast furnace, being active in protecting the many thousand acres of woodland belonging to it, and laying the foundation of his interest in the trees. His father, H. P. M. Birkinbine, was a well- known hydraulic engineer, and his son's attention was called to the alternate floods and droughts in the streams of the State, and the greatly di- minished minimum flows due in many instances to the cutting off of the forests. John Birkinbine was one of the founders of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, and with others was instrumental in making it the most progres- sive of the State forestry organizations. In 1886, when the Association was formed, he was ap- pointed Secretary, becoming Vice-President the following year, and serving as President from the latter part of 1892 until his death. From the first issue of Forest Leaves in July, 1886, he acted as Editor and Chairman of the Publication Committee. During this period the Association grew in importance, and the State became in- terested in its dwindling forests. Events suc- ceeded rapidly, first the appointment of a Com- mission to investigate the forest conditions, fol- lowed by the formation of a Bureau, and then the Department of Forestry, which with the enact- ment of well considered {Statutes, placed forestry in Pennsylvania on an enduring basis. The forest reserves grew from nothing to over a million acres. While loving trees he realized their usefulness to mankind, and advocated the true conservation of forests, /. e., utilizing them as any other crop, harvesting when ripe, and their reproducing. His business as Consulting Engineer, and mem- bership in numerous technical organizations placed him in contact with persons, all over the Union, as well as in foreign countries. Honors were con- ferred upon him ; for ten years he was President of the Franklin Institute, he served in a simi- lar capacity, for the American Institute of Min- ing Engineers, and of the Engineers' Club of Philadelphia. He was Chairman of the State Water Supply Commission since its inception in 1905. At the time of his death he was also con- nected with the American Forestry Association, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Am- erican Society for Testing Materials, Canadian Institute of Mining Engineers, Engineers' Club of New York, Foundrymen's Association, Manufac- turer's Club, George G. Meade Post, No. i, G. A. R., and the Pennsylvania Military College. As a citizen he was always active in promoting the public good, serving in the Union Army during the Civil War, and acting in various capacities for the national and State governments, as well as aiding numerous international expositions and congresses. He had a friendly interest in all his associates, and was ever ready to help with counsel and ad- vice. A fellow. engineer made the remark, after his death, that every one had a good word to say for him, even the rough contractors surprising with their expressions of regret and sorrow. The last days of his life were spent happily among his family, for as a devoted and christian husband and father, he fulfilled what he con- sidered his greatest pleasure and the noblest of ail his works. Men from all walks of life, from far and near, came to pay their last tribute of respect and es- teem to one universally beloved. Simple services were held on May 17 th, and he was laid to rest surrounded by woodland greens sent by forestry associates. The Association has suffered a great loss, but those who are left should unite in the endeavor to still further advance the cause of forestry in Penn- sylvania, making it a monument to the sacrifices and unselfish efforts of John Birkinbine and his associates. He left the world the better for his long, active, intelligent and uplifting life, and his works will follow him. F. L. B. The Summer Meeting at Foxburg, Pa. ON June 23d, 24th and 25th, a meeting of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association will be held at'Foxburg, Clarion County, Pa., on the Allegheny River, 86 miles north of Pitts- burgh. The headquarters will be at '*The Inn," and the sessions will be held in the Town Hall in the Free Library building. The meeting commenc- ing the evening of June 23dv Visits will be made in automobiles to the Cook tract of about 9,000 acres along the Clarion River, much of which consists of primeval forest. The route to be followed is by way of Clarion, along a ridge road, following the general direction of the Clarion River, offering picturesques views of the surrounding country, returning to Foxburg late in the afternoon. A trip will also be made to the Fox Estate which lies at the junction of the | Clarion and Allegheny rivers, where there are several hundred acres of primeval oak, chestnut, maple, ash, etc. There are also plantations of 100,000 young trees set out within the past four or five years. Foxburg can be reached by both the Pennsyl- vania and Baltimore & Ohio railroads, via., Pitts- burgh. Members could alter this route either going or returning, if desired. The expenses per person, for automobile hire and hotel at Fox- burg, will approximate $12.00 per person for the meeting. Addresses and papers are expected from a num- ber of gentlemen. The members who attend will have a good op- portunity of comparing forest conditions in the western section of the State with those in the eastern, and central portions where previous meet- ings have been held. Those who expect to attend should promptly advise Mr. F. L. Bitler, Recording Secretary, 1012 Walnut St., Philadelphia. Any who will present papers should forward the titles. « Spring Planting at Mont Alto. THE planting of forest trees has been in pro- gress upon the Mont Alto State Forest since 1902. The established plantations are from year to year becoming more interesting and instructive. New ones are annually being added. Below are given the species, and the total number of each planted in the spring of 191 5 : White Pine, 48,700 Norway Spruce, 29,000 Red Pine, 10,000 Scotch Pine, 1,700 Wild Black Cherry, 200 Honey Locust, 700 Red Oak, 1,900 Total, 92,200 For several years all the open areas upon the Mont Alto State Forest have been planted to trees- As a consequence the operations for the past two years have been confined mostly to recently burnt- over areas, and those covered with inferior species such as Scrub Oak, Black Gum, Sassafras, Aspen, etc. The seedlings set out were admixed with the inferior species, /*. ^., placed underneath them, with the hope that they would force their way through the canopy of the inferior species, and in turn shade out the latter, then continue their de- velopment and form valuable stands. It is the opinion of the writer that Scotch Pine would be one of the best species which could be entrusted with the task of forcing its way through the low % mi o > i > < o < < < < LU o cc O CO UJ UJ cc I- < o o o o < O O I < CEIBA TREE, JAMAICA. V TROPICAL LUXURIANCE, JAMAICA. FoRKST Leaves, Vol. xv., No. ro 55 ^ UJ CO UJ o (J r I CEIBA TREE, JAMAICA, TROPICAL LUXURIANCE, JAMAICA, INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE 2.J3 FOREST LEAVES. 41 Tree Planting Experiments. THE Fourth Annual Report of the State Forester of Minnesota, for the year 19 14, has just been issued giving much valuable information in regard to forestry in that State. Some interesting work was done at the Cloquet Forest Experiment Station, where a nursery has been established, and the cost of planting on dif- ferent soils and situations, as well as the best kinds of stock to plant, determined. Six different varie- ties of tools were used to plant 24 half acre plots in four different situations, viz., (i) very open, sandy land which at one time supported a scattered stand of Norway pine cut in 19 10; (2) very bushy land covered with popple, alder and hazel, 10 to 15 feet high, and very thick ; (3) cut-over land, of a gravelly, hilly nature, grown up to small bush ; (4) underplanting fairly thick jack pine, averaging about 50 feet high, and 8 inches in di- ameter on the stump. The trees were counted in the fall of 19 14, the percentage of living trees determined, and this was incorporated in a table given below, showing also the length of time re- quired to plant with different tools, and the cost per thousand : Results of Planting Experiments. Time Per Cost Per Method. Thousand. Thousand. Two Men Planting. Situation : — Under stand of medium sized jack pine {a ) Heart shaped spade, . . . 4 h. 30 m. Wedge spade, 4 h. 40 m. Iron wedge, 6 h. Cylindrical spade, ... 7 h. Mattock side hole, . • . 4 h. 30 m. Mattock center hole, . . 9 h. Situation : — Open, sandy cut-over. Heart shaped spade, . . 4 h. Wedge spade, 7 !*• Iron wedge, . . . . • 7 h. 3^ "i- Cylindrical spade, ... 7 ^' Mattock side hole, . . . 6 h. 30 m. Mattock center hole, . . lO h. Situation : — Gravelly, hilly country (^). Heart shaped spade, . . . 5 1^- 5° ™- Wedge spade, 5 !*• Iron wedge, 7 h. 30 m. Cylindrical spade, . . . . 7 h. 30 m. Mattock side hole, . . . 6 h. 40 m. Mattock center hole, . . 10 h. Situation : — Thick popple, alder and hazel, 10 feet high. Heart shaped spade, . . 5 h. 50 m. $2.66 Wedge spade 8 h. 20 m. 3-34 Iron wedge, ....*. 14 h. 10 m. Sjo Cylindrical spade, . . . 11 h. 40 m. 4.66 Mattock side hole, . . . 10 h. 4.00 Mattock center hole, . . 15 h. 50 m. 6.34 a Thick brush in spots reduced percentage, alive. $1.80 1.86 2.40 2.80 1.80 3.60 $1.60 2.80 3.00 2.80 2.60 4.00 $52.34 2.00 3.00 3.fo 2.66 4.00 Per Cent. Alive. 84 94 77 90 78.5 96 t! S7 69 74 87 85 77 34 6 3« 17 38 All of the plots were planted by the same crew, and the cost is based on a wage of 20 cents per hour. Only the actual time used in planting is given, and the cost of transportation of stock is not included. The side hole method of planting with a mat- tock consists of driving the mattock into the ground, either pushing or pulling the sod to one side, and inserting the tree in the cavity, the roots being covered by allowing the sod to drop back to its original position, and stepping on it. In the center hole method the hole is dug with a mattock, holding the tree in the proper position, and using the other hand to place and firm the dirt around the roots. The other tools are con- structed to make a hole in which the roots may be placed, and the dirt firmly packed around them with the foot. In open, sandy, cut-over land, the cost of plant- ing was greatly lowered by using a heart shaped spade. The center hole mattock method, which is used a great deal in other parts of the country while giving very good results, cost on the average twice as much as some of the other methods. In gravel where rocks are present the mattock is a good tool, although it did not give any better results than some of the other tools except in the rockiest kind of soil. The cylindrical spade, on the average gave as good or better results than any of the other tools, but it was not as fast as some, and will not work satisfactorily where rocks or large roots are numerous. The seedlings planted were raised in the nursery and usually transplanted. The table below shows the results of different aged stock in various situa- tions, and per cent, remaining alive. Results of Planting Different Aged Stock. Situation. Cut-over Norway, with "^^ mature jack remaining j Open sandy cut-over . Cut-over land grown to sweet fern and scat tered young jack Thick brush 4 to 8 feet\ in height ... j White Pinb. Age of Stock. 2 — O 2 — I 1 up-j scat- \ Per Cent. 78 Per Cent. 89.5 75 , 85 1 — 2 Per Cent. 92 Norway Pine. Age of Stock. 3 — O 2—0 2 — I Per Cent. 69 90 85 Per Per Ce t. Cent. 41.5 49 : 59 77 86 : 74 74 77 44 40 69.5 69.5 62 28.5 been trans- transplanted transplanted 2—0 means seedling stock two years old, which has not planted : 2—1, seedling stock two years old in nursery and I one year ; 1—2, seedling stock one year in nursery and for two years, etc. j These results will be followed for several years to see which trees ultimately do the best. ^ During the year 19 14, there was set out on the m l^i V 42 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 43 Burntside forest in Minnesota, 725,000 nursery seedlings 2 to 3 years old, and 65,000 trees of wild stock 3 to 6 years old. Of the nursery stock 500,000 were white pine ; 200,000 Norway pine, and 25,000 spruce, while the wild stock was white and Norway pine. This stock was planted 6' x 6' and 6' x 7', or 1,000 to 1,200 trees per acre. Forests of Pennsylvania. THE word Pennsylvania means Penn's woods. It derived its name from its early pro- prietor, and the dense and extensive forest growth of the State. The original forest covered almost its entire area, which is usually given as 28,594,56c acres. Practically the en- tire State, with the exception of a few natural meadows and the tops of a few mountains, was covered with trees. The original forest was com- posed of many and valuable species often oc- curring in dense stands. The richness of our forest flora is due to its favorable location with reference to climatic and physiographic factors. | Pennsylvania is the meeting ground of many \ northern and southern species. In the western part of the State one finds outposts of species com- mon to the Mississippi valley, while in the south- , eastern part some of the trees of the coast region ! are found. Some of the northern species have their southern limits here, or else follow the | mountains toward the south, while some of the I southern have their northern limits here, usually migrating northward through the valleys. The forests in the southeastern and the western parts of the State are composed almost entirely of hard- woods, while the central and the northern or mountainous parts are composed of a mixture of hardwoods and conifers. One may find the hard- woods by themselves and the conifers by them- selves, or they may occur in mixture. A few of our native species are very valuable, while others are less valuable and some mere forest weeds. The real value of a species varies with the change of the general economic, particularly market, con- ditions. Within the last decade market prices of wood have risen so much that they have brought about a more intensive utilization of our forest products. Many species formerly left standing in the forest are now utilized. A moment's reflec- tion upon the present tendency in the utilization of the products of the various trees causes us to comprehend fully the truth of the statement that the despised species of to-day will be prized to- morrow. The richness of the arborescent flora together with the great age and large size which some of the trees attained justifies the statement that Pennsylvania was at one time *' one of the best timbered States of the Atlantic Coast." Nature working through many centuries de- veloped in this State a forest which was one of the most valuable of the many heritages with which its citizens have been blessed. If we could see maps showing the structure and distribution of the forests of Pennsylvania in the years 1600 and 1900, we would be astonished by the wonderful change that has taken place in a period that rep- resents only a few generations of trees. Many were the agents which brought about this change, but it was left to man to play the leading role. Man working through a few centuries has removed the forest or abused it through fire and unregulated cutting. The establishment of pioneer homes, the opening of agricultural and grazing lands, the increase of population, the development of indus- trial enterprises, the destructive work of lumber- men, and the advent of forestry present a picture of change and progress, which enables us in part to comprehend the important role that man played in transforming the original forest into the present forest. ! Pennsylvania originally contained large, dense, and extremely productive forests. The large have become small, the dense have become open, the productive have become unproductive. Each gen- ! eration of mankind has seen a smaller, more open, and less productive generation of forests. The march of forest destruction has been rapid and i severe, and yet inevitable on account of existing economic conditions. While originally almost the total area of the State was tree-clad, to-day less than 50 per cent, is covered by woody growth and over 5,000,000 acres of this is barren or un- productive, while many more acres are poorly stocked with trees. Most of our woodland areas are at present in a very unproductive, unsanitary, unattractive, and unregulated condition. Economic conditions have changed and the old order of things need not continue. We must sub- stitute conservative lumbering for the wasteful ex- ploitation of the past. We must do constructive work. in our forests now to recompense for the de- structive work carried on during the last few cen- turies. We should' aim to show our social and civic worth by handing down to future genera- tions a heritage equivalent to that which we re- ceived from our forefathers. In order to do proper constructive work it is necessary to estab- lish a goal or an ideal and develop proper methods by which it can be reached or at least approxi- mated. We need not be entirely original in this \ work since a few countries like Germany, Switzer- i land, and France have already in more than a century of experience laid the foundation for con- servative and constructive forestry. We can learn much from these countries. A visit to their care- fully managed forests together with a general sur- vey of the methods which they use in managing them will be helpful in formulating plans for our Ideal or Normal Forest. We may not be able to adopt their methods but we can at least adapt them. The question at once presents itself : How can we improve our woodlands so that they will approach the well-managed forests of Germany, or the ideal or normal goal which we are setting up for them? The following answers suggest themselves : 1. By giving adequate protection. Fire is the chief agency against which our forests need pro- tection. 2. By procuring wise taxation. 3. By prohibiting unregulated cutting. 4. By securing quick reproduction after the re- moval of the timber. 5. By establishing a complete stock of valuable trees on all forest soils. 6. By removing undesirable stock and replacing it with a better class of trees. 7. By establishing a proper proportion and a suitable distribution of age classes. 8. By making every part of the forest accessi- ble by means of roads, lanes, trails, paths, com- partment lines, etc. 9. By making improvement cuttings. 10. By dividing the forest into working units (compartments) just as a farmer divides his farm into fields and the fields into patches. — J. S. Illick in Pennsylvania Trees. Planting Trees. THE Forestry Board, of the Moravian Church, Nazareth, Pa., recently received a lot of tree seedlings and had them planted in the nursery, where the;y will remain for several years and will then be transplanted into the woods. The seedlings planted consisted of 10,500 white pine, 500 white ash, 200 red oak, 100 balsam fir and a lot of black walnut. A lot of Norway spruce have also been ordered. The trustees of this church about five years ago planted about 15,000 trees. This congregation owns about 50 acres of timberland in the borough of Nazareth, and has an energetic lot of young men who believe in caring for and retaining the woodland, and are putting forth every eff'ort to make things pleasant and delightful in the vicinity. — Nazareth • Item. Pennsylvania Forestry Legislation. THE following Acts in regard to forestry have been passed by the Legislature, approved by the Governor, and are now laws. Act No. 68. Section i. Be it enacted, &c.. That when county commissioners shall have received from the county treasurer a conveyance of lands which shall have been advertised and sold for unpaid taxes, in accordance with the several acts of As- sembly relating to the sale and conveyance of lands for taxes, the said commissioners are hereby directed, after the period for redemption of said lands shall have expired, to offer said lands to the Department of Forestry, for acceptance or rejec- tion by said department, for forestry purposes, when required so to do by the Department of For- estry. The county commissioners, in making such offer, shall describe the land by giving the name of its former owner, its location, warantee name or number, and its adjoiners. They shall state the number of acres and perches in each tract so offered, and the amount of taxes, interest, and costs due thereon, which shall have been levied and become a lien and accrued to the time of making the offer. Every such offer shall be ac- companied by a draft of the land, when required by the department, to be prepared by the county surveyor. The cost of the preparation of such draft shall be paid by the county commissioners, and in no case shall exceed the ordinary and usual amount paid for the making of similar drafts in the course of county business. The cost of the draft may be added by the commissioners to the amount of costs accrued against the land which they shall off'er the Department of Forestry. Where adjoining tracts are so offered, they shall be included within one draft, and the cost of the draft shall be ratably apportioned among the sev- eral tracts in accordance with the area thereof. Sec. 2. That upon receiving any such offer from the county commissioners, which offer shall be made upon blank forms to be prepared by the Department of Forestry and supplied to the commissioners, the department shall make an ex- amination and valuation of the land so offered, to determine whether it is suitable for forestry pur- poses. If found not suitable for forestry purposes, the department shall so notify the commissioners. If found to be suitable for that purpose, it shall likewise notify the commissioners of its suitability, make a conditional acceptance, and proceed to examine the title. If such examination shall dis- close that the title is marketable, and of such char- acter as can be safely accepted, the department 1^ 44 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 45 shall prepare a deed to be executed by the com- mfssio'ert conveying such land to the Common wealth of Pennsylvania. The consideration shall Tndude all taxes levied, interest, and costs due to date of conveyance ; but shall, in no case exceed fhfliiit of purchase P-e now or hereafter^fi^^^^^^ by law for the purchase of land by the Depart ment of Forestry for forestry purposes. Sec X That if the title examination shall dis- close incumbrances upon the land, or other objec- tSns, which, in the judgment of the Depar^^^ of Forestry, will render the title unmarketable or undesirable for the State to own, the county com- , unaesirauic oroceed to remove such ob- missioners shall then procecu lv^ jections to title, and cure such defects, so far as it may be possible to do so, or may be reqmred by Te'pracdce of the Department of forestry in the purc^hase of lands. The purchase of said land , shall not be further proceeded with until the title sha be rendered acceptable to the Department of Forestry. In case the county commissioners ne- glect or refuse to remove objections to title when fequired by the Department, the Department may af^er a reasonable time, not exceeding six months, notify the commissioners that it refuses to con- sMer'the further P-^hase « ^''.'"^ ravtfex The time for removal of objections may be ex tended by the department for cause shown. Sec 4 That all laws or parts of laws in con- flict herewith are hereby repealed. \PPROVED— The 2ist day of April, A. D., 1915- APFKuvi. Martin (x. Brumbaugh. shall be properly planted, in accordance wi h the agreement entered into with the department. Sec V That all acts and parts of acts incon- sistent with or supplied by this act are repealed. Approved— The 21st day of April, A. D., 1915- Martin G. Brumbaugh. Aa No. 76, Section i. Be it enacted, &c., That the De- partment of Forestry is hereby authorized to grow Sng forest-trees, and to distribute them to those Sng to plant them, in such q-;^tity and under such regulations as may be prescribed by the de- partment, when the available stock in the forest nurseries shall be in excess of ^^^^'^^T . ^.hall department for forest planting No charge sha be made for the trees so anklin Instisute of Philadelphia, the special Elliott Oresson Gold Medal on account of its production. Mounts of Woods for tlie Microscope, showing transverse, radial, and tangential sctions under a single cover-glnss. Invaluable m the study of wood-technology. Highly endorsed for laboratory study. We have recently supplied 1,500 to a single school. Mounts of Woods for Stereopticon and Stcrcopticon Views of Trees, their characteristic fresh leaves, flowers, fruits, barks, and branchlete. Invaluable for illustrating lectures and talks on trees. Exhibits of our lines may he seen at the following addresses: . ^.,.»-r...v PKRMANEXT EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT, Office of PA. FORESTRY ASSOdATION, 70 5tli Ave., (or. 13th St., XEW YORK. 1012 Walnut St., PHILADELPHIA, PA. Office of FRANKLIX H. HOl «H, Esq., 1K)0 F St. N. W., Suite 619-521, WASHINGTON, D. C. You are cordiaUy invited to call and inspect the one most convenient to you or to mite for particulars and samples to ROMEYN B. HOUGH COMPANY, Box G, Lowville, N. Y. VOLUME OF AMERICAN WOODS DISPLAYED. Observe that the THREE SPECIMENS ILLUSTRATIVE OF A SPECIES ARE MOUNTED TOGETHER AND THAT THE ILLUSTRATIVE PAGES ARE SEPARABLE TO FACILITATE EXA- MINATION. a-*^! 48 FOREST LEAVES. The Pennsylvania State College FOUR YEAR COURSE IN FORESTRY. A thorough and practical undergraduate course in technical forestry^— preparing men for all lines of professional and applied forestry. Special attention is paid to practical field work in surveying, mapping and forest measurements. One of the largest of the State Forest Reserves is within a short walk of the College. For information regarding entrance requirements, expenses, etc., address DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, STATE COLLEGE, PA. FOKEpT IBM. THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE Pennsylvania Forestry J. T. ROTHROCK, Consulting Forester, WEST CHESTER, PA. Terms upon Application. CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY, CHESTNUT HILL, PHILA. JO minutes rom Broad St. Station. BOARDING SCHOOL FOR BOYS. niustraUd Catalogue upon application, JAMES L. PATTERSON, Head Matter. BOARD OF TRUSTEES: The Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, Rre»UUrU. Samuel F. Houston, Vice-Prmdenl. George Woodward, Secretary and Treasurer. ^ . Association. The attention of the advertising public is called to the advantages we offer as a medium. Address, 1012 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. JAMES M. BECK. WALTON CLARK. JACOB S. DI8STON. EDGAR DUDLEY FARIES. FRANCIS I. GOWEN. J. LEVERING JONES. DR. HOWARD A. KELLY. FRANCIS D. LEWIS. RANDAL MORGAN, H. GORDON McCOUCH. JAMES R. SHEFFIELD. FREDERICK W. TAYLOB. Of twenty-three graduates in 1910, twenty entered college, and of the twenty, seventeen entered without conditions. Vol. XV. Philadelphia, August, 1915 No. 4 Published Bi-Monthly by the \ PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, 10x2 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. Entered at the Philadelpma Post-Officc as second-class matter. CONTENTS. ^"^ J- Editorials 49 Narrativ'e of the Foxburg Meeting of the Pennsylvania ^O'-^^t'ry _^ Association ^ Response to Words of Welcome 53 54 Resolutions 1915 Spring Forest Fires in Monroe County 55 A Demonstration Tree Plantation at Lehigh University 56 Pennsylvania State Forest Planting. Spring, 1915 ;- 5» The Immediate Need of Extending State Forests in Pennsylvania.. 61 Subscription, 81.00 per Year. The attention of Nurserymen and others if '''^^^i^''J^\?fn7JTr ^,/ Forest Leaves as an advertising medium. Kates will be Jur nishedon application. The Pennsylvania Forestry Association, FOUNDBD IN JUNB, 1886, labors to disseminate information in regard to the n<^ces8ity and methods of forest culture and preservation, and to "cure the enact- ment and enforcement of proper forest protective laws, both btate and National. Annual member ship fee. Two dollars. Life membership. Twenty-five dollars. Neither the membership nor the work of this Association is intended to be limited to the State of P^nsylvania Persons desiring to become members should send their names to the Chairman of the Membership Committee, loia Walnut Street, Phila. President, ' Vice-Presidents, Robert S. Conklin, Wm. S. Harvey, Albert Lewis, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, Samuel L. Smedley. General Secretary, Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock. Recording Secretary, F. L. Bitler. Treasurer, Charles E. Pancoast. Committees of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association : Finance, Dr. Henry M. Fisher Chairman ; Joshua L Baily , Eckley B. Coxe, jr., Wm. S. Harvey, Henry Howson, Jos. Johnson, Albert Lewis, Chas. E. Pancoast, J. Rodman Paul. , „ „ Laiv Dr Henry S. Drinker. Chairman ; Hon. Marshall Brown. J 1915 Spring Forest Fires in Monroe }, County. t ¥ONROE COUNTY, in common with other sections of Pennsylvania, and other States of the Union, suffered severely from the effects of forest fires, during the long drought of April, 1915 ; but the month of May, which is often very dry, brought much rain and few fires. The reports of the forest fires of last spring (see Forest Leaves, Oct., 19 14) showed that 4,842 acres in Monroe County were burned over. The autumnal fire season (Forest Leaves, Dec, 1914) added 5,175 acres to this number. The extent of woodland burned over in the county this spring amounts to 12,694 acres. . These figures may appear to be discouraging to some, and to indicate either a decided increase in the number of fires, or a falling ofl" on the part of those in authority to make use of proper protec- tive measures. In reality, however, neither of these inferences is correct. Fires have been fewer in number, and protective methods have been efficiently applied. In those parts of the county where fires were most extensive peculiar conditions existed, such as un- usual dryness, accumulations of slash, high winds, and so on, which made the fire fighting exceed- ingly difficult, so that a large territory was burnt over before the flames could be subdued. The total number of fires reported was 34, and of these 20 per cent, were extinguished by pa- trolmen without assistance. The causes of the fires, as assigned by the fire wardens were as follows: Unknown 10 ; Railroads 14 ; Burning pastures 3 ; Camp Fires 2 ; Saw Mill i ; Burning Brush I ; Fisherman i ; Steam Roller i ; Lighted Tobacco I. Although the forest fires were wide spread and destructive there can be no question that the losses would have been much more disastrous if the protective measures that are in use in Monroe County had not been available. Daring the past two years the fire wardens of the county have had the advantage of the leadership of District For-, ester, J. L. Strobeck, and under his direction a M 0/ % 56 FOREST LEAVES. Forest Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 4. fair trial of the patrol system has been in opera- tion, the State Department of Forestry co-operat- ing with the local Pocono Protective Fire Asso- ciation. . . . ,^ The Pocono Protective Fire Association regards with great satisfaction the recent legislation of the General Assembly which purposes to extend to the whole State the methods which have thus been tried out in Monroe County. The improvements which have been introduced into the laws govern- ing forest fires are virtually the outgrowth of methods which have been successfully worked out by District Forester Strobeck, and the Fire Asso- ciation. . », /^ „»., The costs for fire prevention in Monroe County during the spring of 191 5 : By the State Department of Forestry, were Fire Warden's Bills $641-33 Fire Patrol, SZS-Oo By the Pocono Protective Fire Association : Fire Patrol, 'jo^ $i,n6.33 _\V. R. F. A Demonstration Tree Plantation at Lehigh University. By Natt M. Emkrv, Vice-President of Lehigh University. (Read by Dr. Henry S. Drinker, President of Lehigh University at * the meeting of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, held at Fox- burg, Pa., June 24th, 1915-) SEVERAL years ago the Trustees of Lehigh University, at the request of a generous . friend of the University and of Forestry, save careful consideration to matters relating to Forestry as one of the live issues connected with the broader subject of the conservation of our natural resources. It appeared at the time that the Schools of Forestry throughout the country were graduating a sufficient number of well-trained professional foresters to meet the de- mand, and ihat the establishment of a similar course at Lehigh University was not justified, and would result in a non-economic duplication of educational work. Courses of public lectures, however, on various phases of the forestry ques- tion, were instituted, which, with the aid of the local press, have exerted an influence favorable to forestry in the section of the country more di- rectly served by the University, and some of which, reprinted in Forest Leaves, have reached a wider circle. At the same time a tract of about eleven acres adjacent to the University Park was secured and developed as an Arboretum, for the purpose of exhibiting illustrative specimens of indigenous trees. In the Arboretum there were planted under most favorable conditions five carefully selected specimens of about two hundred varieties of Am- erican trees which can endure a Pennsylvania winter, with the hope that at least three trees of each variety would develop into well-formed typ - cal specimens growing in the open. Only sel- ected stock was used. At the foot of each tree Ss been put a metal plate giving the botanical ^d comm^on name, the' family to which it belorigs and natural habitat. This Arboretum of Lehjgh University has attracted the attention and favor; able comment of foresters, botanists, and tree ^"^Much of the University Park, as distinguished froln the campus with, its buildings and awns is covered with a second growth of chestnut These trees have been affected by the chestnut blight, and anticipating their partial or complete destruc- tion the University has planted throughout the Park during the past five years 43.°°° evergreens, principally pine and spruce, with a few hemlock and some hardwood, the transplants having been largely obtained through the Department of for- estry from the State nurseries. The latest work of the University along For- estry lines has been the development this spring of a tract of about seven acres, adjacent to the : Arboretum, for an exhibition growth of tree cul- Vurc under forest conditions. This has been made possible by the same good friend of the Uniyer- sUy and lover of forestry. In the Arboretum proper the purpose has been to develop specimen exhibition trees. In this new tree plantation the object has been to show what can be done at re- forestation under actual forestry conditions and by the comparison of the growth of different spe- cies to determine which trees are best suited for the purpose in Eastern Pennsylvania. In order to have the most expert advice ob- tainable in developing this proj^ect, the President of the University conferred with two men «ho have for years given unstintingly of their time and energy to the consideration of problems affecting foreslry conditions in Pennsylvania, men of inter- national reputation of whom the Pennsylvania Forestry Association is fittingly proud— Ur. J. i. Rothrock, of West Chester, fi';«;Conimissioner of Forestry of Pennsylvania, and Mr. S. B. blliott, of ReynoldsviUe, of the Forestry Reservation Commission, the Nestor of the foresters of the State These two men cheerfully and enthusias- tically undertook the task of determining how this new tract of seven acres could best be laid out for the desired purpose. , First of all a careful survey was made, the tract was cleared of the scrub growth, and a mesh wire V: THE ALLEGHENY RIVER TWO MILES NORTH OF FOXBURG, PA. THE LAWN AT THE FOX MANSION, FOXBURG, PA. 'V % 56 FOREST LEAVES. Forest Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 4. fair trial of the patrol system has been in opera- tion the State Department of Forestry co-operat- ing 'with the local Pocono Protective Fire Asso- ciation. . . , The Pocono Protective Fire Association regards with great satisfaction the recent legislation of the General Assembly which purposes to extend to the whole State the methods which have thus been tried out in Monroe County. The improvements which have been introduced into the laws govern- ing forest fires are virtually the outgrowth ot methods which have been successfully worked out by District Forester Strobeck, and the Fire Asso- ciation. . ^^ ,^ ^.^ The costs for fire prevention m Monroe Count) during the spring of 191 5 • By the State Department of Forestry, were Fire Warden's Bills S641. 1-ire Patrol j^S-Oo By the Pocono Protective Fire Association : ' Fire Patrol, JJ^ $1,116.33 _\V. R. F A Demonstration Tree Plantation at Lehigh University. By Natt M. Emfky, Vice-President of l.ehigh University. (Read by Dr. Henry S. Drinker, President of Lebigh University at ^ ,he meltini- of the'pennsylvania Forestry Association, held at lox- burg, Pa.. June 24th, 1915.) SEVERAL years ago the Trustees of Lehigh University, at the request of a generous friend of the University and of Forestry, cave careful consideration 10 matters relating to Forestry as one of the live issues connected with the broader subject of the conservation of our natural resources. It appeared at the time that the Schools of Forestry throughout the country were graduating a sufficient number of well-trained professional foresters to meet the de- mand, and that the establishment of a similar course at Lehigh University was not justified, and would result in a non-economic duplication of educational work. Courses of public lectures, however, on various phases of the forestry .jues- tion, were instituted, which, with the aid of the local press, have exerted an influence favorable to forestry in the section of the country more di- rectly served bv the University, and some of which, reprinted in Forest Lr.AVt.s, have reached a wider circle. At the same time a tract of about eleven acres adjacent to the University Park was secured and developed as an Arboretum, for the purpose of exhibiting illustrative specimens of indigenous trees In the Arboretum there were planted under n'ost' favorable conditions five carefully selected specimens of about two hundred varieties of Am- erican trees which can endure a Pennsylvania timer, with the hope that at least th'-ee trees of each variety would develop into well-formed Up cal specimens growing n the open. ( nl) sel- ected stock was used. At the foot of each tree has been put a metal plate giving the botanical and comm'on name, thi family to which it belorigs and natural habitat. This Arboretum of l-eh.gh University has attracted the attention and favor; able comment of foresters, botanists, and tree ^'''Much of the University Park, as distinguished from the campus with its buildings and awns, is covered with a second growth of chestnut, rhese trees have been affected by the chestnut blight, and anticipating their partial or complete destruc- tion the University has planted throughout the Park during the past five years 43.°°° evergreens, ■ Drincipally pine and spruce, with a few hemlock, i and some^hLdwood, the transplants having been largely obtained through the Department of tor- estrv from the State nurseries. The latest work of the University along For- estry lines has been the development this spring of a tract of about seven acres, adjacent to the \rboretum, for an exhibition growth of tree cul- ture under forest conditions. This has been made possible by the same good friend of the Uniyer- Sy and ^lover of forestry. In the Arborettun proper the purpose has been to develop specimen exhibition trees. In this new tree plantation the object has been to show what can be done at re- forestation under actual forestry conditions and by the comparison of the growth of different spe- cies to determine which trees are best suited for the purpose in Eastern Pennsylvania. In order to have the most expert advice ob- tainable in developing this project, the President of the University conferred with two men who have for years given unstintingly of their time and energy to the consideration of problems affecting forestry conditions in Pennsylvania, men of inter- national reputation of whom the Pennsylvania Forestry Association is fittingly proud— Dr. .1. 1. Rothrock, of West Chester, ^J-^t Conmiiss.oner of Forestry of Pennsylvania, and Mr. S. B. Elliott of Reynoldsville, of the Forestry Reservation Commission, the Nestor of the foresters of the State These two men cheerfully and emhusias- tically undertook the task of determining how this • new tract of seven acres could best be laid out for the desired purpose. First of all a careful survey was made, the tract was cleared of the scrub growth, and a mesh wire THE ALLEGHENY RIVER TWO MILES NORTH OF FOXBURG, PA. THE LAWN AT THE FOX MANSION, FOXBURG, PA, INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE Forest Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 4. o a; > I I "* IE T^-^ifct^/ '- '••'W «•♦'*- ^^<^M « •*^n^-^-.«*-:P*'-^-*^ :^_j-|£«*^ V '^i«S;'^:'* •li"?^ f^y-x: ^\ ■«*-^», ■^t^^^-y^.^^ ,^^. J. -v /i < Q. o cc D CQ CO ^ O o o -I < > UJ cc Q. H CO UJ o UJ I I' II VIEW ON THE COOK ESTATE COOKSBURG, PA. Forest Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 4. VIEW ON THE COOK ESTATE COOKSBURG, PA. INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE O a; > X i > > < a. o QC D CD CO i^ O O O < > LU CC Q. co cc o LL u I I- H1 FOREST LEAVES. 57 fence erected around the entire property except the side immediately adjoining the Arboretum, the posts being obtained from the scattered trees which had to be removed in order to put the plan into operation. Incidentally it is interesting that enough was realized from the sale of cordwood to meet the expense of clearing the ground, and of planting the new trees. The land which was set aside for this experi- mental tree plantation is located on a gently slop- ing mountain side of approximately i,ooo feet elevation; at places the soil is good, at other places it is thin or rocky. The land is entirely unsuitable for agricultural or even grazing pur- poses, and is typical of thousands of acres of Pennsylvania mountain land waiting to be re- claimed by scientific* reforestation. All of these features, together with the prevail- ing winds and the relative position of the high- way, were taken unto account by Dr. Rothrock and Mr. Elliott in making their plan. i The tract is approximately in the form of a tri- angle with the base 411 feet, adjoining the Ar- boretum ; one side, 1,034 feet, along the high- way ; and the other side, 947 feet, a continuation of the Arboretum boundary line. It seemed ad- visable to divide the land into plots approximately 100 feet square, with a driveway 16 feet in width extending around the property and pathways 6 feet wide separating any two adjoining plots. 1 The arrangement is shown on the accompanying chart. In this way each block lends itself to ex- perimentation as to the relative value of pure and mixed stands, and in the latter case the relative value of alternating the trees in a row or of planting alternate rows of different varieties. It seemed desirable to make the experiment with a large number of both evergreen and deciduous trees of recognized timber value. The various combinations are shown on the chart.* The following trees have been planted . 500 While Pine. 500 Pitch Pine. 400 Red Pine. 500 Jack Pine. 400 Shortleaved Pine. 400 Scotch Pine. 100 Red Spruce. 500 Norway Spruce. 400 European Larch. 200 Paid Cypress. 100 Pin Oak. 400 Burr Oak. 300 White Oak. 300 Black Oak. 200 Scarlet Oak. 200 Cucumber. 600 Tulip Poplar. 300 Black Cherry. 300 Honey Locust. 400 Sugar Maple. 600 Basswood. 700 White Ash. 100 Yellow Birch. 100 Elm, 100 Hemlock. 8,600 In order to make the experiment scientifically valuable, seedlings of the same age were secured, most of them being furnished by the State nurse- ries. ♦ See illustration. To one not particularly interested in forettry the present appearance of this experimental tree plantation is not at all impressive, on account o£ the small size of the trees, but it is the beginning of a practical scientific experiment, so far unique in this country, which is bound in ten, twenty and fifty years from now to be productive of informa- tion of great value to the forestry interests of this Commonwealth. Mr. S. B. Elliott in discussing the paper said : The main cause which led me to recommend the establishment of a Demonstration Plantation of trees that are of economic importance for the production of needful forest products was that thus far, in this country, we have been without practical knowledge of forest growth, and the adaptation of species to locations and environ- ments ; and hence all has been largely, if not wholly guess-work. Another reason was that if a plantation of that kind were established where it could be seen by the public at large, and where the several species of our timber trees could be seen in proximity to each other, deductions could be drawn without having to investigate forests remote from each other, and where climatic and local conditions might vary, and it would have a great educational power. Besides all this there was present in my mind the great advantage to foresters of the future who could see what those of the present day were unable to ascertain— the adaptability of certain species to certain soils, lo- cation, and environment— and thus have set before them an object lesson of great value. As there exists a diff'erence of opinion among educated foresters as to whether pure or mingled stands are best. Dr. Rothrock and I arranged the planting so that one-half of each compartment should be of one species only, and the other half of the same compartment of mingled species of various kinds, so that the forester of the future can see which is best in like situations. It is but proper to state that we fully agreed on all details, and if there should prove to be a failure we two, I alone, are responsible. ^ t^ • 1 i I am clear in the conviction that Dr. Drinker and hi^ Trustees acted wisely in declining the generous offer to establish a school of forestry in Lehigh University. While there was a dearth of such schools in our country a few years ago, they have now so multiplied that there are far more graduates of such schools being turned out every year than are at all likely to find renumerative employment. Already scores are advertising for situations. Pennsylvania probably employs more than any other ten, if not more than all the rest of the States, and she is educating her own for- esters ; and where these numerous graduates who V ^ 0 58 FOREST LEAVES. will be turned loose within the next two or three years are to find employment is more than I can conceive. Some of the schools look upon the case in its true light and are refusing applications, and take on such only as have reasonable grounds to anticipate employment. I do not mean to find fault with the forestry schools. They are doing a necessary and good work, but it is being over- done. Besides this the scope of their education is limited to a comparatively few, while Lehigh University has established the plan which Dr. Drinker has indicated, which reaches the people at large, and spreads its influence in the line of education where it is most needed ; hence, with- out detracting in the least from the work of the average forest school, I am clear in the conviction that Lehigh University is actually doing a greater good than if it had established a forestry school, and consequently doing more practical work in educating the people than any other institution in our country ; and for this good work, this pains- taking, generous, patriotic, financially unremunera- tive work, we are indebted to the far-seeing wis- dom of the donor of the necessary funds to carry it on — a donor who stands unknown to the public which is benefitted by that wisdom and liberality. And we are also indebted to the wise foresight of Dr. Drinker who saw the greatest needs of the country, and who carefully worked out for the benefit of the people the broad scheme of educa- tion indicated. Therefore, the people of this country should do homage, and be grateful for all this to these two who, as I have heretofore said, saw, and dared, and did. Dr. J. T. RoTHROCK following Mr. Elliott's comments on the forestry demonstration planta- tion at Lehigh University, said that, in his opin- ion, it was a most important educational move, not simply because of its association with a great educational institution, but because also of its re- lation to the whole forestry problem of the State. The soil upon which this plantation is made represents fairly the character of the millions of acres upon which Pennsylvania's future forests are to grow, if grown at all. It is non agricultural land, upon which timber has once grown. What- ever is possible there is possible elsewhere in our iState. Furthermore, this same plantation, it is hoped, will help to solve for our region the relative merits of different methods in forestry procedure, for we may safely assume that they will be fully '' tried out." Our hope is that Lehigh University will enlarge the area devoted to this productive line of work, because there is an assurance that a well-considered plan will be followed to its natural results ; an as- surance which, unfortunately, cannot be positively counted upon for any State operation. Pennsylvania State Forest Planting. Spring 1915. DURING the spring of 191 5, the Pennsyl- vania Department of Forestry planted a total of 4,315,371 seedlings and trans- plants in its efforts to reforest portions of the denuded and barren areas lying within the State Forests, and 13,950 willow cuttings were planted in holts. This was an increase of almost 1,000,- 000 over the number planted in 19 14, and is the largest number ever planted on Pennsylvania State Forests. . For the most part, the planting was done where natural regeneration could not be counted on, and where artificial reforestation must be resorted to if merchantable trees are to replace undesirable trees, weeds, bracken, and sweet fern. Planting on State Forests was begun as early as the year 1899, when 1,000 Carolina poplar cuttings were planted as an experiment on the Pocono Forest, in Pike county. With the excep- tion of the year 1901, plantations have been made every year since then, each year a larger number of plants being used, and with better success. The first plantations were made on small areas with a few thousand seedlings, and were largely experimental. The purpose was to determine the species best suited to local conditions. Many failures resulted but the successes obtained have shown what and how to plant. We feel that the purely experimental stage has been passed, and that the commercial and financial aspect must hereafter be given first consideration, although some experimenting must necessarily be carried on. Reforestation by direct seed sowing is still being experimented with, but thus far without success. This spring five foresters made new experiments with seed but the results cannot be determined as yet. 13.6 acres were sown with white pine, Nor- way spruce, pitch pine, black walnut, European larch and Scotch pine. The seed cost $26.41 and the sowing $25.25, a total of $51.66. The accompanying tables show the number of seedlings and transplants planted, the cost of same, and the area planted. It is of interest to note that 51 per cent, of the plants used were white pine, and 31 per cent. Norway spruce, the two species making up 82 per cent, of the total planted. The total number of acres of new plan- tations established is 2,583 79, and 230.73 acres of plantations made in former years were rein- forced. This was done to fill in fail spots. 1 W. G. C. 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X cc : : : :^ : : : : 4> • • • • fli • : • • t- • . . ^v' • • • • • • • : 00 • • • • s • • • ' 3 • • • • m • • • • T2 • : : i>a Q : be^ 9 o ■ = Slf?5 c "5. 08 O o e 08 "5. go <^ ? 1 1 § I s I FOREST LEAVES. 61 ;r5 The Immediate Need of Extending State Forests in Pennsylvania. T ET us refresh in our minds a few basic con- I C tions relative to the land resource of this great Commonwealth. Pennsylvania has a land area of 28.7 million acres of which the 1910 census reports 12.7 million in * 'improved " farm land, and 5.9 million of *' unimproved land ' ' which is largely the farm woodlot. The balance of the land area or 10. i million acres is unseated forest land, townsites, etc., of which most certainly 7 millions are wild forest, with a strong probability that the figures could be raised to 7.5 miUions. Accepting 4 or 4^ of the 5.9 million acres of unimproved farm land as wooded there are 1 1 to 12 million acres of forest land, actual or poten- tial, in the State. The figures are quoted at from 8 to 14 million acres, with the Federal Forestry publications giving 9.2 million acres as forest which seems entirely too low. | What is to be done with this large area of say IT million acres? Can it be classified as poten- ! tial forest land, or will a comsiderable part be re- quired for agriculture in the next few generations ? Let the farmers answer that question. In 1880 I the total farm acreage was 19.8 million acres, and in 1910 it had decreased to 18.6 million or 1.2 j million acres less ! Even from 1900 to 1910, a period of rising prices for farm products the record shows the improved farm area as decreasing over half a million acres ! To be sure some of this land has been included in cities, but it can readily be seen how the mountain farms have been aban- doned ! The mountain farmer with work in the woods at least half the year had a simple but com- fortable living. With the forest income destroyed the mountain home had to be abandoned. Seven- teen mountain counties have decreased population since 1890. Eliminating the few growing manu- facturing and mining towns which hive kept other mountain county populations up, these 17 coun- ties would be increased to include every single mountain county ! These appalling facts certainly refute the claim that any large part of the 11 million acres of forest land is agricultural. If any further demonstration of this is desired note that the average value oi farm land in Cam- eron and Fulton counties is less than $10 per acre (1910 census), and that in 29 other forest counties the farm land averages in value less than $25 acre, this is the best of the mountain land already cleared ! We hear occasionally that large areas of forest land can be profitably cleared for grazing or stock ranches. Can it be cleared for the price at which this already cleared land can be bought? If stock-raising is practicable why not boom the $9 cleared land in Cameron and Fulton, and other mountain counties ? Rather than see the steep mountain slopes denuded and ruined by stock ranches, I would see it kept in briers and bird-cherry with an occasional volunteer forest tree for a hundred years ! For then when it comes to be reforested as it assuredly must be, the soil will at least be in place, and have a con- siderable humus available for tree growth besides. All students of the question must agree with the unanimous opinion of foresters and friends of forestry that at least 11 million acres are to be maintained in forest. How is it to be done? The 4 million or more acres of farm woodlots can be left where they are. While there is much room for improvement in handling, their position is far in advance of the remaining 7 million acres of unseated mountain lands. Who shall handle these 7 million acres? In- dividuals, corporations, municipalities, the State or all combined ? It seems to be the American principle for the State to keep out where the in- i dividual is willing and able to dominate the situa- tion. What reliance can be placed in the in- dividual and corporation in forestry ? Is it not a significant fact that while for 2 million acres of merchantable income-producing forest, the United States Forest Service has prepared ** working plans" (providing generally for a second crop only, and that in the comparatively near future), hardly a single private property is being managed according to the forestry plan ? And remember this property is income-producing and the forestry management could be followed by reinvesting only a fraction of the net income ! In the examination of a lumbering operation in one of the remnants of Pennsylvania's virgin for- est it is shown that primary forest products of up- wards of $591 in value are taken from each acre, and the owners realize about $250 per acre net on the stumpage. Taken immediately after the ma- ture forest is cut, when the fertile forest humus is still present, and before the tangle of briers and brush makes reforestation expensive, and the fire hazard high, this tract could be reforested success- fully by planting at a cost of $10 to $15 an acre at the highest. And the new forest would con- tain more valuable species than the old. Now this company is in the lumber business, and might be expected to be interested in the perpetuation of the forest. It has knowledge of the success ot State forest plantations in that part of the State. Is it interested in reforesting the land which has returned the large income? No! Now in the face of these cases where abundant present in- come would enable forest owners to perpetuate the forest and where the owners refuse entirely, ^^ <' 62 FOREST LEAVES. i how can the owner of denuded lands with no net income in sight from them for a period of from 50 to 75 years be expected to undertake it? The private individual and corporation will never %o\s^ the problem of our devastated 7 million acres ! The considerable privately owned forest in Ger- many is often quoted, but students of German forestry point out that private forestry in that country is the least efficient, and is as good as it is only through strict supervision by government foresters supported by compulsory laws ! Com- pulsory laws are much harder to obtain in the United States than government ownership of forest land. In fact if compulsory reforestation w^ere to be resorted to by the State, the forest owner who receives the income from the mature crop, should be reached. But in Pennsylvania this is impossible, and the idea becomes at once impracticable. It is pointed out that here and there an individ- ual or a corporation are actually reforesting. This can readily be granted but are not those individ- uals usually practicing forestry through a feeling of philanthropy? Will their heirs see the matter in the same light ? Can you depend on them for the constant policy for a century that forestry re- quires? Where is George Vanderbilt's Pisgah , Forest now but in the lands of the Federal gov- , emment. What would have happened without a government agency to continue it? Set aside i million acres of the 7 million left (beyond the farmers' woodlots) for the private individual, who is philanthropic enough and unselfish enough to j look beyond present personal profit, and to the specialized corporations who may be driven to it by need of raw material. May the heirs of the former inherit the same spirit of philanthropy to the second and third generations so that the forest may become self-sustaining ! May the succeeding directors of the latter continue the forest invest- ment with a promise of 3 to 6 per cent, return rather than dispose of the capital stock to the un- suspecting public in order to move into some other enterprise yielding 7 to 10 per cent, return ! There are still 6 million acres to invite action on ! Municipalities should be induced to build up watershed forests at least, but the State alone remains as the logical agency able to seriously undertake the huge problem. Governor Stuart said in an address on May 19, 1908, at Bethlehem, *'It is hoped the State will ultimately own at least 6 million acres of forest reservations. ' ' Also the voice of our late honored association President, John Birkinbine (whose re- moval by an inscrutable Providence we shall never cease to lament), in an address in 1908 at the Association Meeting at Chambersburg, still echoes the demand for 6 million acres for State forests. Again in an article in the February, 19 10, Forest Leaves, Hon. S. B. Elliott states : '* It is possible that the State can secure say 2,000,000 acres, perhaps more, but she should possess not less than 6,000,000 to meet the demands of her own citi- zens, and it is not probable that so much can be obtained ; and that would be only about 21 per cent, of her total area while Germany's forests cover 26 per cent, of the Empire's domain, and she imports one-third of the forest products con- sumed by her people, and her forests are far more productive than ours." He might have added that the Germans practice the economy born of necessity in addition ! The opinion of the pres- ent and former Commissioners of Forestry are too well known to this Association to require quota- tion. In fact the opinion of all in a position to judge coincides on approximately 6 million acres as the future maximum State holdings for forest maintenance and replacement. How are we progressing toward this goal? The first State land was purchased in 1898 during Governor Hastings' administration, and included 19,804 acres. During Governor Stone's admin- istration, 1 899-1 903, over 500,000 acres were added. By the end of 1904 the area totalled 549, 565 acres. By January i, 1909, the area rose to 827,725, and January i, 1912, to 966,229 and November i, 1914, to 1,001,125 acres. Surely this is a magnificent showing in results for an 18- year period. Yet when viewed from the stand- j point of the 6-million acre requirement we must not pause too long for congratulation, but press the policy for a more rapid advance. The State is developing a trained organization that may be- \ come top-heavy if it fails to move forward. The State forests should increase at not less than 100,- 000 acres per year so that in 10 years there would be 2 million acres. The training school is able to meet this modest program with trained men. Eet us not lose ourselves in the technical problems of fire-protection, reforestation, road building, etc., coming up with our present hold- ings (weighty though they are), and overlook the need of a large and comprehensive policy — and especially a constant policy, so that there will not be temporary lapses requiring part of a trained force to leave its profession, and make a new ven- ture. The last three or four years have seen some '' letting down " in the progressive forest policy. The State at present is giving to Forestry what- ever appropriation it can easily spare. When a cut seems necessary forestry is the one to be more heavily cut. Is this a policy of statecraft ? The problem is too large a one for such treatment. If current funds are not available for an aggressive FOREST LEAVES. 63 and statesmanlike policy then the purchase of State Forests is as worthy of a bond issue as good roads. The mere item of greater protection would be sufficient to warrant the immediate extension of State holdings. In spite of the fact that the pres- ent State holdings contain by far the greatest fire hazards, during 1914 the loss on State lands was only ^ to J^ of that on privately owned lands. In other words the more efficient fire protection of the State forest service extended over all the mountain forests outside the farm woodlots would have saved over $230,000 worth of burned forest in the one year. And the protective organization is becoming more efficient each year. In spite of the fact that farm lands have been abandoned in quantities during the last thirty years, land values have been on the increase. The 19 10 Census reports the average farm land in Pennsylvania to be valued at $33.92 per acre, while in 1900 it was $29.70, an increase of over 14 per cent, in 10 years, so that the average farm owner received 1.4 per cent, per year on his land value in capital increment in addition to crop re- turn. Some forest areas purchased by the State have already more than quintupled in value. One lumberman with tremendous holdings in the Pacific North West is reported to have said that he never lost a dollar on timber except on the timber he did not buy. Pennsylvania will never lose a dollar on forest land except on the forest land she does not buy. To put the forest policy back into its stride again we must return to elementals — viz.: popular education. E. A. Ziegler. The Pennsylvania State College FOUR YEAR COURSE IN FORESTRY. A thorough and practical undergraduate course in technical forestr}' — preparing men for all lines of professional and applied forestry. Special attention is paid to practical field work in surveying, mapping and forest measurements. One of the largest of the State Forest Reserves is v^ithin a short walk of the College. For information regarding entrance requirements, expenses, etc., address DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, STATE COLLEGE, PA. J. T. ROTHROCK, Consulting Forester, WEST CHESTER, PA. Terms upon Application. CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY, CHESTNUT BILL, PHILA. 30 minutes rom Broad St. Station. BOARDING SCHOOL FOR BOTS. niuatrated Catalogue upon appHeation, JAMES L. PATTERSOir, Head Matter. BOARD OF TRUSTEES: The Bishop of the Diocese op Pennsylvania, President. Samuel F. Houston, Vice-Prmdent. George Woodward, Secretary and Treasurer. JAMES M. BECK. WALTON CLARK. JACOB 8. DI88TON. KDOAR DUDLEY PARIES. FRANCIS I. OOWEN. J. LEVERING JONES. DR. HOWARD A. KKLLT. FRANCIS D. LEWIS. RANDAL MORGAN. H. GORDON MoCOUCH. JAMES R. SHEFFIELD. FREDERICK W. TAYLOR. Of twenty-three graduates in 1910, twenty entered college, and of the twenty, seventeen entered without conditions. '! r 1^ n 64 FOREST LEAVES. ir --v< J HANDBOOK OF TREES of the Northern States and Canada. Photo-descriptive. By Ronieyn Beck Hough. Shows the fresh leaves, fruits, branchlets, and barks photographed tQ a scale with the vividness of reality. Distributions are in- dicated by individual maps and wood- structures by photo-micrographs. Other information in text. All species of the region are covered. Price : In buckram binding, $6 ; in half-morocco, $8, delivered. " With it one wholly unfamiliar with botany can easily identify the trees "—ilf*'/vf/«e Dewey. l*res*t Vt. Lihrnvy Ans*n, " Indispensable for all students of trees." — Jiotauical Gazette. " Extraordinarily thorough and attractive. Its illustrations almost carry the scent and touch of the original."— JVet«> Yor/c Tinien. " Unique, beautiful, and extremely useful. De- serves a place in the library of every tree-lover." —The JDial. "Nothing but praise for the woric." —The Nation, " It is doubtful it anv book placed before the public in recent years possesses the peculiar charm of this handbook." * *^ —St. Lmiis l^umherman. "The most ideal handbook I have ever seen. A model in treatment and execution."— C. Mart Merriatn. Price, HANDBOOK OF TREES opened at Red Oak. Observe THAT TWO PAGES FACING EACH OTHER ARE DEVOTED TO A SPECIES. Lines in background indicate square inches. •' A perfectly delightful book. A source of inspiration to every lover of trees.— f/ourwal of Education. " The most satisfactory- volume I possess on the subject, out ot a total Of some '250 books on this and kindred sut,^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ LEAF KEY TO THE TREES. By Ronieyn Beck Hough. A compact pocket-guide in flexible covers, convenient to carry in pocket or hand-bag when yo.. go afield 75 cen^^ iLSd with the HANDBOOK or AMERICAN W60D.S without extra charge. AMERICAN WOODS. Illustrated by Actual Specimens. By Ronieyn Beck Hough. The specimens of woods used in illustrating this work are in the form of thin sections showing transverse, radial and tangential views of the grain. These, when examined in transmitted light, reveal dis- tinctive characters and points of interest that are a revelation An accompanving text gives full information as to uses, properties, distri- butions, char«cters,%tc. The wo, k is issued in Parts, each covering 25 species. Price: $5, per Part in cloth binding; $/..)0 in half- morocco. AMERICAN W(X)DS is of great interest and value to all who are interested in or desire to be able to recognize the various woods and learn about them. The strongest of testimonials to its value lies in the fact that its author has been awarded by the tranklin lustisute of Philadelpliia, the special Elliott Oresson Gold Medal on account of its production. Mounts of Woods for the Microscope, showing transverse, radial, and tangential sctions under a single cover-glass. Invaluable in the Btudv of wood-technology. Highly endorsed for laboratory study. We have recently supplied 1,500 to a single school. Mounts of Woods for Stereoptlcon and Stereopticon Views of Trees, their characteristic fresh leaves, tlowers, fruits, barks, and branchlets. Invaluable for illustrating lectures and talks on trees. Exhibits of our lines may be seen at the following addresses: PEBMANENT EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT, Office of PA. FOBESTBY ASSOCIATION, ^ ^^^ ^^^ ^,^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ 1012 Walnut St., PHILADELPHIA, PA. wi«Hix«TO\ D C Office of FBANKLIN H. HOKiH, Esq., 900 F St. N. W., Suite 619-521, WASHINGTON, D. C. You are arrdiaUy Med to call and inspect the one most convenient to you or to .rite for particulars and samples to ROMEYN B. HOUGH COMPANY, Box G, Lowville, N. Y. VOLUME OF AMERICAN WOODS DISPLAYED. Observe that the THREE SPECIMENS ILLUSTRATIVE OF A SPECIES ARE MOUNTED TOGETHER AND THAT THE ILLUSTRATIVE PAGES ARE SEPARABLE TO FACILITATE EXA- MINATION. %^^^^ i: Vol. XV. Philadelphia, October, 1915 No. 5 Published Bi-Monthly by the PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, 10X2 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. Entered at the Philadelphia Post-Ofl5ce as second-class matter. CONTENTS. Feed Forest Fire Fighters 65 Autumn Arbor Day Proclamation, 1915....-: Pennsylvania State Foresters in Convention Desiduous Forests : An Ecologic and Geographic Study. The Forest Fire War College Protection from Forest Fires Caledonia State Forest Forest Fire Organization A Blazed Trail in the Domain of Forestry 66 66 68 70 71 72 73 Subscription, $1.00 per Year. The attention 0/ Nurserymen and others is called to the advantages ^7/ Forest Leaves as an advertising medium. Rates will be fur- nished on application. The Pennsylvania Forestry Association, Founded in Junb, 1886, Labors to disseminate information in regard to the necessity and methods of forest culture and preservation, and to secure the enact- ment and enforcement of proper forest protective laws, both State and National. Annual member ship fee ^ Two dollars. Life membership. Twenty-five dollars. Neither the membership nor the work of this Association is intended to be limited to the State of Pennsylvania. Persons desinne to become members should send their names to the Chairman of the Membership Committee, 1012 Walnut Street, Phila. Pre* ident , Vic^-Fresidents. Robert S. Conklin, Wm. S. Harvey, Albert Lewis, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, Samuel L. Smedley. General Secretary, L)r. Joseph T. Rothrock. Recording Secretary, F. L. Bitler. Treasurer, Charles E. Paiicoast. Committees of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association : Finance, Dr. Henry M. Fisher, Chairman ; Joshua L. Baily, Eckley B. Coxe, Jr., Wm. S. Harvey, Henry Howson, Jos. Johnson, Albert Lewis, Chas. E. Pancoast, J. Rodman Paul. Latv Dr. Henry S. Drinker, Chairman ; Hon. Marshall Brown. Geo. f! Craig, Hon. Lucien W. Doty, W. W. Montgomery, Irvin C Williams. Membership, Albert B. Weimer, Chairman ; Walton Clark, Hon. Robert S. Conklin, Mrs. Brinton Coxe, Dr. Henry M. tisher, O. C. Hillard, Samuel Marshall, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, Samuel L. Smedley, Mrs. Alexander Van Rensselaer, L. A. Watres, John H. Webster, Jr., N. P. Wheeler, Dr. W. P. Wilson. Publication F. L. Bitler, Egbert S. Cary, S. B. Elliott, Jos. S. IHick, Dr. J. T. Rothrock, Harrison Souder. Work, Mrs. Brinton Coxe, Chairman; Mrs. David Reeves, Miss Mary K. (iibson, Miss Ethel A. Shrigley, John S. Cope, J. Franklin Meehan, E. E. Wiidman. Office of the Association, 1012 Walnut St., Philadelphia. Feed Forest Fire Fighters. THERE are various ways in which protection against forest fires may fail. Insufficient funds to properly patrol the ground during the spring and autumn fire seasons, is the most general one. It embraces under one head many subsidiary causes. In spite of the fact that Penn- sylvania has made substantial progress in suppress- ing these fires, our State appropriations for this purpose continue to be utterly inadequate, and in this respect we suffer by comparison with other States, New York and Massachusetts especially. Lack of prompt payment for such service when faithfully rendered has often made it hard to se- cure prompt assistance when urgently required. There come times when men engaged in fire- fighting have reached points far from home ; have been hours without food, and are driven by hunger to abandon the work at most critical moments. Any policy which makes this necessary is as utterly foolish and short sighted as an attempt would be to conduct a war without a steady food supply. Every State Forester should have under his abso- lute control a properly equipped wagon contain- ing not only tools required, but food sufficient for at least two days ; and this wagon should be kept ready at all times during the fire seasons for instant service, that is with tools and food actually loaded on to the wagon. The question of food can easily be met by pro- viding such articles as will keep for months in fit condition. To be definite, such a food supply might be : — one dozen cans each of tomatoes, and pork and beans ; three 5 -pound sealed cans of army bread, which will keep indefinitely; five 8-ounce cans instantaneous coffee ; one 3-gallon coffee pot \ two dozen picnic plates and an equal number of table spoons and tin cups. There should be a generous supply also of lemon juice and sugar. 'V ^ i\ ri 66 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 67 With such a supply the fire fighters could in most instances be held together until their work was done. The wagon should also carry drinking water, carron oil for burns, bandages, adhesive plaster and peroxide of hydrogen. There should never be an hour when the fire- wagon was not ready for instant service. The utterly inadequate appropriations render such equipments impossible. To a man, the State Foresters are zealous in the arduous duty of fire fighting, but surely they cannot be held responsi- ble for failure to secure the best results, if proper appliances are wanting. To allow men to be driven by hunger from the fire line is unspeakable folly. How long is it to continue ? J. T. R. Autumn Arbor Day Proclamation, 1915. However little I may be At least I, too, can plant a tree, And some day it will grow up so high That it can whisper to the sky. And spread its leafy branches wide To make a shade on every side. Then on a sultry summer day, The people resting there will say — **Oh, good, and wise, and great was he Who thought to plant this bkssed tree I '' — Anonymous. THE time for the fall planting of trees is again nigh at hand. The custom of planting trees in the fall and in the spring can not be urged loo often or too strongly. Each year we cut several times as much timber as grows. Fruit trees and shade trees grow old and die. New trees should be planted to take the place of those which grow old and useless. The legislature has added the study of birds to the duties of Arbor Day. In these days one hears much about national preparation for defense. Few have any adequate conception of the relent- less war which insects are waging against the farmer and the fruit-grower. Birds are our best allies in fighting these destructive enemies. In accordance with a long established custom, Friday, October 22, 1915, is hereby designated as Autumn Arbor Day and all persons connected with schools are urged to observe the day by the planting of trees, by the study of birds and by other suitable exescises. Nathan C. Schaeffer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Pennsylvania State Foresters in Convention. THE Fourth Annual Summer Convention of Pennsylvania State Foresters was held at Galetqn, Potter County, on August loth, nth and 12th, it being the most successful and instructive convention yet held by foresters of this State. Automobile trips were made to points of interest pertaining to forestry, evening meetings held with discussions on live forestry topics, and informal discussions by pairs and by groups at all times. A forester's work is such that there is little op- portunity to visit brother foresters and thus gain the advantage of their experience. Consequently, when gathered together once a year there is much of interest to discuss and little else is heard aside from forestry. On Tuesday, a trip by automobile to Germania, Carter Camp, Oleona, Cross Fork and Abbott was made, the autos being generously provided by the citizens of Galeton. The first stop was made at Germania, where two large Norway spruce trees, planted in 1856, at- tracted considerable interest. The route lead through a farming district settled by Germans, Norwegians, and Bohemians who know the value of a woodlot to the farmer when managed for sus- tained yield. Such management is nowhere bet- ter practiced in Pennsylvania than on many of the woodlots in the vicinity of Germania. Of no less interest was the Schutzenverein Club, styled after clubs of a similar nature in Germany. Here was seen beech, birch, maple, etc., planted on the club's grounds about 20 years ago for ornamental j purposes. j The next stop was made to view the ruins of Ole Bull's Castle now on State Forest land. Here ' the famous violinist expected to make homes for ! his countrymen, but his hopes were frustrated by the duplicity of unscrupulous land agents. Reforestation by artificial planting has been carried on in the vicinity of Cross Fork since 1910, a total of 1,888,000 seedlings having been set out in that time. Several of the plantations were visited and it was noticed that white, red, and Scotch pine, Douglas fir, and European larch have resulted in good establishment and unusually satisfactory growth. The result of an experiment made with 100 white pine seedlings, the roots as well as tops of which had been exposed to sun and wind an hour before planting, were of exceptional interest. More than half of these seedlings sur- vived and appear none the worse for their sun bath. ^^ ^ After luncheon at the Guernsey House, Cross Fork, the return to Galeton was made by way of Yocum Hill and Germania. An evening session was held with R. L. Emerick acting chairman. Mr. M. J. Handwerk, chair- man of the local Board of Trade, delivered an ad- dress of welcome. He was followed by Judge A. S. Heck, whose knowledge and deep interest in \ forestry and forest influences was well portrayed I by his remarks on the effect of forests on stream | flow, and on the general business conditions of | forestal communities. The necessity of educating i the people to the importance of the forestry move- ment and of the work being done by the Depart- ment of Forestry was cited. In closing, support was offered to all measures having to do with for- estry in general and protection in particular. The impromptu address was thoroughly appreciated by all present. Hon. I. C. Williams, Deputy Commissioner of Forestry, then discussed recent legislation pertain- ing to forestry, explaining their meaning and pur- pose. Among those which he discussed at length was the co-operation act between the Department of Forestry and the Game and Fish Commissions. The fact was brought out that by approval of this act there would be available additional men to re- port forest fires and to enforce forest laws, since all game and fish wardens will be required to see that these laws are enforced. Another act which he discussed and which promises to be of great importance, is one which allows the Department of Forestry to furnish free of charge seedlings to individuals for forest planting. Hon. Robert S. Conklin, Commissioner of Forestry, addressed the convention, expressing his appreciation of the large attendance and com- plimenting the foresters on the good work being done with the limited funds at their disposal. He explained that the Commission appreciated the fact that the men in the field were at a great dis- advantage, due to lack of labor funds, and that considerable work must be done by the foresters for which laborers should be provided. W. Gard. Conklin next read a paper on Topo- graphic and Stock Surveys of Pennsylvania State Forests. On the morning of the second day a trip was made by automobile to Asaph to inspect the large tree nursery under the direction of Forester Paul H. Mulford. On the way there was another op- portunity to see the hillsides denuded by lumber- ing and fires until there is practically no growth left. There were also splendid examples of nat- ural regeneration of red pine, hemlock and hard- woods. An ash plantation along Marsh Creek, made with two year old seedlings in 1909, now shows a total height growth of 1 1 feet 10 inches. The nursery contains 20 acres, of which 7.6 acres are in seedling beds. There are between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000 two year old seedlings, and probably between 3,000,000 and 4,000,000 one year old seedlings now in the nursery. A number of nursery problems were discussed, among which were green manuring, weeding, watering, shading, frost, fertilizers, fungi, and insects. Young lorest tree seedlings are subject to a great many handicaps, and Forester Mulford and his assistants are gradually overcoming them or reducing their ill effects to a minimum. Some of the party examined other plantations, and all returned to Galeton for lunch. At two o'clock the foresters went by train to Walton to inspect the Walton Chemical Plant, a privilege accorded through the courtesy of the general manager. The distillation of wood is an interesting process. The various steps were ex- plained in detail from the time the raw wood went into the ovens until the finished products were obtained. The plant uses 100 cords of wood per day, and has on hand a supply of 35,000 to 40,000 cords. At the invitation of several of the members of the Brookland Club, the hospitality of ** Dent Camp" was enjoyed until the return train to Galeton arrived. The day was a delightful one both on account of the pleasant weather conditions and because of the rare opportunities presented for the study of forestry problems. I The Alumni Association of the P. S. F. A. held i its annual meeting on the evening of the second day, with W. Gard. Conklin, President, in the I chair. After the usual routine business was fin- ished J. E. McNeal, Chairman of Resolutions Committee, read five resolutions, to be presented to the State Forestry Reservation Commission. After a lengthy discussion they were finally passed and will be presented to the Commission at its regular monthly meeting in October. J. E. McNeal was elected to the presidency for the succeeding year, and T. H. Golden was re- elected secretary and treasurer. The Alumni Association meeting was followed by an open meeting with discussions on pertinent forestry subjects. '* Fire Towers and Triangula- tion Method of Locating Fires" was opened by Robert G. Conklin, who gave his experience with building steel fire observation towers in Franklin and Lycoming counties. He also outlined a method of triangulation which is being worked out for use in the South Mountains, and empha- sized the need of telephones for these towers. John W. Keller next took the floor and brought out the fact that even with towers and triangula- tion, fires occurred which could not be definitely I 11 M V 68 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 69 located from the towers, and that other means tor determining situations must be provided. He cited cases where palls of smoke and hazy atmos- phere prevented fires being seen. The next subject for discussion, ** Plantations, was opened by N. R. McNaughton. He spoke of needed reforms in the Department's method of overseeing planting on State Forests, the lack in most instances of definite planting plans, and dealt at length on the necessity of planting only where the fire hazard was at a minimum. He spoke ot the inconsistency of planting, for which plenty of money was available, while protection funds were heavily curtailed. A case cited which resulted disastrously, occurred on the Karthaus Forest in IQ13. A plantation of 171 acres was made that spring, the total cost of which was $2,327.76. During the same spring a fire occurred burning 5 000 acres. With adequate protection the area burned would not have exceeded 100 acres, and could easily have been given for less than the cost of making the plantation. He then called atten- tion to the fact that during the spring of 191 5 the amount expended for planting on the Karthaus Forest, exclusive of foresters and rangers time, was $1,638, while in the same period only $100 was allowed for all other work. W B Evans then took up the planting ques- tion, the trend of the discussion being that planta- tions have a value aside from mere tree growing possibilities, in that they create more interest in the public mind than any other phase of the for- estry work. This friendly interest incites a feel- ing that special effort should be made to protect the plantations from forest fires. - From this it is only a step to the conclusion that safety of any part of the forest depends upon protection of all of it and the general attitude toward fires begins to change from that of indifference to anxiety. In continuing he said, -Plantations, then may be and are a means of popularizing general for- estry work, and a direct aid to protective mea- sures ' The planting question was further discussed by C L Kirk, who emphasized the advisabihty of planting in large contiguous areas in preference to small scattered areas of a few acres in extent. He gave arguments both from the aesthetic and com- mercial points of view. ^ , , ■ .u George W. Sheeler and Walter D. Ludwig then spoke on their experiences in " Co-operative Fire Protection." Mr. Sheeler is Secretary-Forester of the Central Pennsylvania Forest Fire Protective Association, and is doing valuable work in that capacity. Mr. Ludwig has been developing co- operative plans with local individuals in his neigh- borhood, and with State College officials and students. The l&st day of the convention was rainy and not favorable for outdoor trips. A visit was made, how- ever, to the Emporium Lumber Company's hard- wood mill, where, through the courtesy of Mr. Sykes, the general superintendent, the workings of the mill were explained in detail. It proved an in- structive and exceedingly interesting trip, for in- tensive utilization is practiced to an unusual de- gree There is practically no waste. The logs are sawed into lumber, and the portion which will not make lumber is partly utilized for handles of various shapes and sizes, and novelties almost in- numerable. Saw dust, edgings, and small pieces of wood which cannot be utilized in any other way furnish heat for firing the boilers, thus mak- ing every portion of the logs serve a purpose. It had been planned to visit a heading mill, a hub factory, and a tannery, but the inclement weather prevented. ' The people of Galeton, whose hospitality and interest did much to make the convention a suc- cess received the heartiest thanks of the foresters. ' W. GaRD. CONKLIN. Deciduous Forests: An Ecologic and Geographic Study. PECIDUOUS forests are called also broad- leaved forests, hardwood forests, mesophy- tic forests. The trees, that together con- stitute the forests, are characterized by the peri- odic fall of its leaves. The alternation of cold periods (physiologically dry) and summer periods (moist periods) corresponds to an alternating xerophilous (leafless) and hygrophilous (leafy) character, hence the forest is typically tropophil- ous On account of the predominating ecologic importance of the summer heat, the tropophilous forest of the temperate zone may be termed sum- mer forest, or summer-green forest. The deciduous forests of the United States cover the Piedmont Plateau, practically a large part of the Appalachian mountains, the Allegheny Plateau, the Ozark mountain region, a part of the country west of the Great Lakes, a large part of southern New England with extensions up the river valleys of the prairie country, and toward the southwest into Texas. In this region the broad-leaved trees are supreme, and in all probability, the central part of this region south of the morainic line has been covered continuously with this type of forest since Miocene times, and it represents one of the original forest centers of the globe and is rich in endemic species. Similar cool temperate fores^ occupy central Europe and the lowlands of Italy and the Balkan states. Southeastern Asia, occupy- ing the greater part of China, was covered with broad-leaved forests and to-day Wilson and other explorers have discovered not only many valuable and interesting horticultural specimens, but re- cently have determined that China has a native hickory. This last discovery is startling, because it had been held that the hickories were exclusively I eastern North American trees found nowhere else 1 in a Hving condition in the world. Southeastern , Australia and Tasmania also have deciduous forests. I The dominant trees of this type of forest form I a dense canopy and shade the forest floor, so that | the secondary trees, Shrubs, sapling trees of the dominant class, herbs, etc., must be tolerant of dense shade. The dominant trees reached a large size in the primeval forest. Thus have been found white oaks six feet in diameter, black walnut trees four feet, and tulip trees six feet. The dominant trees of the forest in southeastern Pennsylvania, which region may be taken as illustrative, are tulip tree, chestnut, black walnut, red oak, white oak, scarlet oak, black oak, beech, hickories, hack- berry, butternut, persimmon, white elm, white ash, wild black cherry, and along the edge of streams buttonwood, red maple and hornbeam. The se- condary species tolerant of the shade are dog wood, red mulberry, service-berry, bladdernut, redbud, hazel and witch-hazel. The shrubs of the forest are dockmackie, laurel, pinxter flower, alder, spice-bush and arrow-wood. The vines (lianes) supported by the trees are several species of grape ( Vi'ti's), Virginia creeper and poison ivy. The herbs of the deep forest are mostly spring flowering, and their flowers are open at a time when the trees are practically leafless, and during the summer very few woodland plants are in bloom. In the autumn, the late-flowering compositous herbs are in evidence. An arrangement of the herbs, according to the time of flowering, can be made, and this I have done for southeastern Penn- sylvania, but the list is too long to present here. The periodicity of this kind of vegetation is a marked feature, as demonstrated in the opening of the buds, the development of the leafage, the formation of flowers, the maturation of fruit, the development of autumn colors and the fall of the leaves. This is illustrated in the flowering dog- wood with cruciate branches bearing flattened, silvered winter buds, the expansion of the four large white bracts, the opening of the flowers, the spreading of the leaves, the turning of the leaves to a purplish-red in autumn and the persistence of the red fruits during part of the leafless condition. In the fall of the year, there is an emigration of the useful materials, such as the nitrogenous substance, from the leaf through the petiole to the interior of the branches and rootstocks. Antho- cyanin, however, is produced in many plants during the emigration of the carbohydrates and the albuminous materials to such an extent that it becomes visible. It appears red in the cell-sap in the presence of acids, blue when no acids are present and violet when the amount of free acids is small. If there is an abundance of yellow granules together with the acid- red anthocyanin, the leaf assumes an orange color. Thus the green color of the foliage changes sometimes into yel- low, or brown, or red, violet, or orange. Of the numerous theories proposed for the formation of anthocyanin that of Muriel Wheldale seems the most plausible. (See Kraemer's Applied and Economic Botany, p. 180.) (i.) The soluble pigments of flowering plants, collectively termed anthocyanin, are oxidation products of colorless chromogens of an aromatic nature, which are pres- ent in the living tissues in combination with sugar as glucosides. (2.) The process of formation of the glucoside from chromogen and sugar is of the nature of a reversible enzyme action ; chromogen -f sugar ±5 glucoside -f water. (3.) The chromo- gen can be oxidized only to anthocyanin after liberation from the glucoside, and the process of oxidation is carried out by one or more oxidizing enzymes. Chromogen -f oxygen = anthocyanin. (4.) From (2) and (3) we may deduce that the amount of free chromogen and hence the quantity of pigment formed at anytime in a tissue, is in- versely proportional to the concentration of the sugar and directly proportional to the concentra- tion of the glucoside in that tissue. (5.) The local formation of anthocyanin, which is charac- teristic of the normal plant, is due to local varia- tion in the concentration of either the free sugars or the glucosides in the tissues in which the pig- ment appears. The abnormal formation of pig- ment under altered conditions is due to differ- ences in the concentration of these same sub- stances due to changes in metabolism brought about by these conditions. (6.) On the above hypothesis, the formation of anthocyanin is brought into line with that of other pigments produced after the death of the plant. The formation of leaf mold is an important matter in the ecology of the deciduous forest. When the leaves of the forest trees fall (and their fall is an interesting morphologic study), they begin to decay, and ultimately, they are disinte- i grated and their substance becomes incorporated with other elements of the soil. The chief agents i in the decay of leaves are fungi and bacteria. Earthworms, larvae of flies and beetles also con- tribute At first the decaying fallen leaves have a decided acid reaction. When freshly fallen, i oak leaves show 0.4 normal acidity that is about I lA the acidity of lemon juice. As the decompo- Mit il V 'V 70 FOREST LEAVES, FOREST LEAVES. s «! (# ^ sition of such leaves progresses, the acid sub stances are disorganized and largely dissipated in the form of gases and liquids, while the lime de- rived from the leaves (tulip tree having 2.84 per cent, of calcium oxid, etc.) being only slightly soluble remains with the residue of decomposition the black leaf mold, and renders it alkaline. So that such alkaline leaf mold bears an entirely dif- ferent flora from the acid soils in which the trail- ing arbutus, huckleberries and laurel grow. The fungi, that live on the roots of forest trees and which are called collectively mycorhiza, have been studied by W. B. McDougall. He studied them on the roots of Cerya ovata, Quercus alba, Tilia americana with ectotrophic mycorhizas and in ther oots of Acer saccharurn and Acer rubrum with endotrophic mycorhizas. He found that the hyphae of mushrooms and toadstool were con- cerned, and that the endotrophic mycorhizas are perhaps symbiotic, while the ectotrophic ones are not in any sense symbiotic, but are instances of parasites on the roots of trees. An important matter for foresters and ecolog- ists to determine is the influence of light on the growth of trees. Various makes of photometers are in use to measure light intensities. In prac- tice, there are two kinds of forest trees tolerant and intolerant, the former capable of growing in the shade, the other succeeding best in the full day light. Of the eastern species of trees a few selections may be made to illustrate the photo- metric relations of the trees. Very Tolerant. — White cedar, balsam fir, hemlock. Tolerant.— White spruce, beech, sugar maple, red maple, basswood, white elm. Intermediate.— Pitch pine, river birch, yel- low birch. Intolerant.— Tulip poplar, red oak, shag- bark hickory. Very Intolerant. — Bald cypress, longleaf pine, tamarack. Another phase of our inquiry concerning de- ciduous forests might be the animal life found in them, and limited to them. Such a study would include the smaller animals, such as, the insects, snails and frogs found in the soil and leaf litter. Enough, however, has been presented to call at- tention to some of the interesting facts about our eastern deciduous forests. John W. Harshberger. There were 669 forest fires reported in the State of North Carolina in the year 1914, the total damage being estimated at $641,000. The area hurt over was 295,000 acres. The Forest Fire \A^ar College. PENNSYLVANIA'S campaign against the forest fire is not a modern product entirely, but is the result of many years slow de- velopment. From the earliest years of our Com- monwealth there have been legislative enactments against the wilful or negligent causing of fires, and more or less eff"ectual efforts have been made to extinguish them if started. No statistics are available of the number, size or resultant losses in the early history of Pennsyl- vania, but since 1895 the printed reports prove that a dangerous and expensive enemy should be suppressed. A study of this problem in the past must convince one of the dire necessity of more effectual operations against the '' red enemy.*' Pennsylvania has been making haste slowly but surely in this work, and the Forest Service con- siders the placing of the new Forest Protection Bureau law on the statute books as a great step forward. Under this bureau a diminution in the number of fires is hoped for, and a great decrease in their size and timber loss. We have already in the process of development, a plan for the prevention and location of forest fires, which, it is believed will be highly efficient. Factors in this system are: patrolmen for pre- vention ; location by triangulation from certain fixed points ; the construction of telephone lines for instant communication, and a strategically planned system of roads, fire lanes, etc. The making of protection maps of forest areas, show- ing the topography, growth, surface, roads, lanes, telephone lines, triangulation lines, streams, springs, etc., is the next development in this plan. There is another necessary step which has not been duly recognized, and that is the present planning of attacks on future fires. It is not I enough to have instant knowledge of the location of fires at their inception. There should be accu- i rate and definite knowledge of the diff'erent factors which have any bearing on the size, speed of de- I velopment, difficulties of management, etc., of any fire that may occur. The reporting of a fire I in any locality should call to the mind of the of!i- ; cial in charge, certain facts known beforehand. In the national war colleges, every fact of mili- tary or naval significance regarding vulnerable points in our national domains is on record. Ex perts in strategy have planned just what shall be done in the event of a hostile attack or outbreak, taking into consideration all the above-mentioned facts. Just so should the forest protection officials have on record— preferably in map form — all the facts regarding general topography, degree of slope, soil, character of surface, growth, roads, fire lanes, telephone lines, streams, springs, etc., of the entire area to be protected. With all this data, attacks can be planned on future fires in any section, under different condi- tions. He takes a supposed fire in a district, con- siders the conditions above mentioned, and studies the probable degree of swiftness with which that fire would spread ; the means of access to the fire ; helps or hindrances in fiighting it ; also the equip- ment and the minimum number of men needed. Each small area, the size of which would be de- termined by the topography, and fire hazard, should be studied in this way, and the results of the study set down in a clear, concise and conve- nient form, and filed ready for instant use. Then - in the event of a fire being reported in a certain : district, a glance at the protection map and an instant's perusal of notes will show the warden j which roads will enable the party to reach the fire i in the shortest time, how and where to attack it, and what force and equipment is needed. The gathering of the data, the making of the map, and the planning of the battle should be the duty of each local protection official for the area under his care. Then all the data, maps, and plans should be submitted to the Chief Forest Fire Warden for inspection and approval, and a complete copy of the same filed with him. The preparation of these plans would require considerable time, work, and expense, but beyond doubt the initial cost would be warranted. The saving of time in getting to a fire, and a pre- arranged plan of suppression will mean the savmg of many dollars in timber loss, and in the actual cash outlay necessary for its extinction. Pennsylvania is now among the leaders m the protection of the wooded areas, and will, under the new Forest Protection Bureau, take the lead in a few years. Robert G. Conrlin. Owing to the reductions made in the appropria- tions for the Department of Forestry, the Com- missioner has notified Pocono Protective Fire Association that he can provide for paying hat salary for six patrolmen only. I^st spring patrol- men were maintained by the co-operation of the Department and the Association. The State Commissioner of Highways has caused all signs and advertisements, posters, etc to be removed along the State roads. But, at the request of Forester Strobeck, an exception has been made in Monroe County, in the case of warning-posters about forest fires and notices con- cerning fire wardens, issued by the Pocono Pro- tective Fire Association. Protection from Forest Fires. IN all of the cities and nearly all of the towns," villages and boroughs of Pennsylvania there are found fire companies whose business it is to fight conflagrations which destroy the homes and property of citizens. Money is lavishly spent to secure the best possible fire fighting apparatus, everyone is willing to help, and if the fire is of incendiary origin the offender is promptly sent to jail for a long term. There has, however, been a general apathy prev- alent in reference to forest fires which destroy in a short time a crop of trees which it required a century or more to produce, besides damaging young growth and the forest floor, whereas in the case of the houses but a year is required for con- struction. It is also difficult to secure the punish- ment of those starting forest fires even when caught in the act. It is, however, hoped that a campaign of edu- cation will bring about a change of feeling, and it is thought that eventually our citizens will be \ as prompt to suppress and prevent forest fires, as is done in conflagrations in cities and towns. ' In fighting a forest fire, the most important thing is to locate it promptly and accurately, so as to suppress it before it has attained any great size. One of the most successful methods of achieving this end is to have lookouts on elevated points from which a wide expanse of territory can be seen, and have men stationed here during the danger seasons in the spring and fall. Probably one of the first persons to adopt this method in this State was Mr. Albert Lewis, who at Bear Creek stationed a man on the top of an elevated summer house ; whenever a forest fire was seen he descended to the porch and by means of a mega- phone advised the settlement below of the fire, and its apparent location, so that it was but a short period before a fire fighting force was able to appear to combat the flames. When the Department of Forestry cast about ' for means of locating forest fires on the State re- serves, elevated points on the hills or mountains were selected, often a wooden platform being erected on a tree commanding an extended view, a small ladder affording means of access. These had many obvious disadvantages, and Mr Robert G Conklin, Forester-in-charge of the Caledonia reserve in Franklin County, designed a steel tower of which four were erected in the fall of 1 0 1 A This tower as will be seen from the illustra- tion is composed of angle irons partly hot riveted on the ground (except the ladder), and braced with round iron, on which turnbuckles were placed The height of the tower is 50 feet. Ihe base 01 Jf 72 FOREST LEAVES. Forest Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 5. rests on four concrete piers, each of the legs being secured to its respective pier by four anchor bolts. The towers are 12' 6" square at the base, and at the top the corner posts form a 6' square, which is surmounted by a y'-square oak platform, pro- vided with a pipe railing 3' high. The ladder is composed of bars and round iron. The towers were erected by means of a gin pole, the riveting being done from swinging scaffolds (see illustra- tion). The cost of these towers will vary from $300 to $400 depending on the location, length of haul and weather conditions, the structural steel itself costing but $120 (now about $150). The view obtained from these towers is superb, as may well be understood from the large area overlooked which is approximately as follows from the four steel towers thus far erected. It is hoped that more of these steel towers will be erected in the forest reserves, and other wooded areas throughout the State, so that those owning timbered areas may receive the protection for which taxes are paid, and gradually but surely end the serious forest fires which now cause annual losses in Pennsylvania of $250,000 to over $500,- F. L. BiTLER. Caledonia, 550 square miles. Mont Alto, .... 600 Leetonia, 1,000 Waterville, .... 1,400 The ranger cannot see every acre of these areas, but a smoke arising is at once noticed, and its exact location determined by triangulation from two or more points. The difference in visible areas is due to char- acter of the topography. The location of the towers being selected for special purposes. The lookout man is stationed on these towers during the danger seasons in the spring and fall, averaging about 3 months during the year. He is not constantly so employed, there being no oc- casion for it after rains, or heavy dews. As soon as a lookout sees smoke arising he promptly notifies the forester by means of a tele- phone with which each tower is equipped. The forester after satisfying himself of the exact loca- tion by inquiry to other towers, is ready to start at once to the site of the fire with a gang of 4 to 16 men depending upon the character of the fire, and its location, and can usually bring the fire fighting equipment to within a short distance of the spot by means of roads strategically arranged throughout the reserve, and is then in position to map out his campaign, and suppress the fire. In case other fires should start on the reserve while the forester is absent combatting the first, an alarm is sent to the next reserve, if all of the men available are already busy. No one who has not actually fought forest fires is aware of the hot, strenuous and exhausting work necessary. Men will sometimes be so worn out, that they will fall asleep and if the wind shifts have often been nearly burned before being awak- ened. Some of these fires are fought by men for 48 hours without rest. 000. Caledonia State Forest Forest Fire Organization. EXCEPT in rare cases, the most successful and safest method of combating a fire in the woods, is what is known as '* back- firing." This, if properly handled, insures from danger of an outbreak by accident, but not from maliciously inclined persons. The ** back-firing" method need not be ex- plained, but the organization and tools necessary for its operation will be described. One rule, above all others, should be followed in every case. That is, always attack the ** header " of the fire. There is more trouble, and greater fire loss arises from the old way of beginning at the back of a fire and fighting up along the sides, than from most any other cause. Of course it is easier than fighting the header where the fire is driving the hardest, but it is usually simply adding fire to fire. Another rule to be remembered is to run your back-fire line down hill wherever possible, as the slope of the hill is a great aid in controlling the back-fire. The protection of the back-line is of the utmost importance, as it is the chief source of danger from outbreaks. At Caledonia there is always one man whose definite and absolute duty it is to make the back-line safe. At times he will be from a half to a full mile back of the main crew, throw- ing in burning brands, extinguishing stumps, logs, and dead trees, and putting out the last spark. The utmost confidence must be placed in this man, as on him depends most of the success of your labor. In addition to the back-line man there are one, two, or three line cutters, a torch-man, and from one'to four line-rakers and watchers. The back- fire line is run as close to the main fire as possible, depending on the character of the ground, slope, brush, wind, etc. Sometimes the line will be within a few feet of the main fire, and at other times a half mile ahead of it. The line cutters with their brush cutters and axes go ahead and open the line ; next come the rakers with their wooden rakes, who make a clean path .: ill ERECTING THE LEETONIA STEEL TOWER, TOOLS USED IN FOREST FIRE FIGHTING. ^ 72 FOREST LEAVES. rests on four concrete piers, each of the legs being secured to its respective pier by four anchor bolts. The towers are 12' 6'' square at the base, and at the top the corner posts form a 6' square, which is surmounted by a y'-square oak platform, pro- vided with a pipe railing 3' high. The ladder is composed of bars and round iron. The towers were erected by means of a gin pole, the riveting being done from swinging scaffolds (see illustra- tion). The cost of these towers will vary from $300 to $400 depending on the location, length of haul and weather conditions, the structural steel itself costing but $120 (now about $150). The view obtained from these towers is superb, as may well be understood from the large area overlooked which is approximately as follows from the four steel towers thus far erected. It is hoped that more of these steel towers will be erected in the forest reserves, and other wooded areas throughout the State, so that those owning timbered areas may receive the protection for which taxes are paid, and gradually but surely end the serious forest fires which now cause annual losses in Pennsylvania of $250,000 to over $500,- 000. F. L. BlTLER. Caledonia, 550 square miles. Mont Alto, .... 600 Leetonia, 1,000 Waterville, . . . 1,400 n 4 ( The ranger cannot see every acre of these areas, but a smoke arising is at once noticed, and its exact location determined by triangulation from two or more points. The difference in visible areas is due to char- acter of the topography. The location of the towers being selected for special purposes. The lookout man is stationed on these towers during the danger seasons in the spring and fall, averaging about 3 months during the year. He is not constantly so employed, there being no oc- casion for it after rains, or heavy dews. As soon as a lookout sees smoke arising he promptly notifies the forester by means of a tele- phone with which each tower is equipped. The forester after satisfying himself of the exact loca- tion by inquiry to other towers, is ready to start at once to the site of the fire with a gang of 4 to 16 men depending upon the character of the fire, and its location, and can usually bring the fire fighting equipment to within a short distance of the spot by means of roads strategically arranged throughout the reserve, and is then in position to map out his campaign, and suppress the fire. In case other fires should start on the reserve while the forester is absent combatting the first, an alarm is sent to the next reserve, if all of the men available are already busy. No one who has not actually fought forest fires is aware of the hot, strenuous and exhausting work necessary. Men will sometimes be so worn out, that they will fall asleep and if the wind shifts have often been nearly burned before being awak- ened. Some of these fires are fought by men for 48 hours without rest. Caledonia State Forest Forest Fire Organization. E XCEPT in rare cases, the most successful and safest method of combating a fire in the woods, is what is known as ** back- firing." This, if properly handled, insures from danger of an outbreak by accident, but not from maliciously inclined persons. The ** back-firing" method need not be ex- plained, but the organization and tools necessary for its operation will be described. One rule, above all others, should be followed in every case. That is, always attack the *» header " of the fire. There is more trouble, and greater fire loss arises from the old way of beginning at the back of a fire and fighting up along the sides, than from most any other cause. Of course it is easier than fighting the header where the fire is driving the hardest, but it is usually simply adding fire to fire. Another rule to be remembered is to run your back-fire line down hill wherever possible, as the slope of the hill is a great aid in controlling the back-fire. The protection of the back-line is of the utmost importance, as it is the chief source of danger from outbreaks. At Caledonia there is always one man whose definite and absolute duty it is to make the back-line safe. At times he will be from a half to a full mile back of the main crew, throw- ing in burning brands, extinguishing stumps, logs, and dead trees, and putting out the last spark. The utmost confidence must be placed in this man, j as on him depends most of the success of your labor. ' In addition to the back-line man there are one, two, or three line cutters, a torch-man, and from one'to four line-rakers and watchers. The back- I fire line is run as close to the main fire as possible, depending on the character of the ground, slope, brush, wind, etc. Sometimes the line will be within a few feet of the main fire, and at other ! times a half mile ahead of it. ' The line cutters with their brush cutters and axes go ahead and open the line ; next come the rakers i with their wooden rakes, who make a clean path Forest Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 5. r\ ERECTING THE LEETONIA STEEL TOWER, TOOLS USED IN FOREST FIRE FIGHTING. INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE i4 Forest Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 5. Courtesy of the Photo-Den. FOREST FIRE ON CRESCO HEIGHTS, MONROE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. VIEW FROM CALEDONIA TOWER. notice large number of small hills and hollows visible. KoREST Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 5. if VIEW FROM CALEDONIA TOWER LOOKING TOWARD BIG FLAT AND PINE GROVE. VIEW FROM LEETONIA TOWER LOOKING EAST OF SOUTH. Forest Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 5. KoREST Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 5. Courtesy of the Photo-Den. FOREST FIRE ON CRESCO HEIGHTS, MONROE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. VIEW FROM CALEDONIA TOWER LOOKING TOWARD BIG FLAT AND PINE GROVE. VIEW FROM CALEDONIA TOWER. NOTICE LARGE NUMBER OF SMALL HILLS AND HOLLOWS VISIBLE. VIEW FROM LEETONIA TOWER LOOKING EAST OF SOUTH. INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE u^ FOREST LEAVES. 73 through *he leaves; the torch-man who sets fire to the leaves and brush on the side of the path towards the fire ; then the watchers whose duty it is to see that the fire does not cross the path ; and last of all the back-line man, who makes the line absolutely safe. The tool equipment consists of brush cutters, light double-bitted axes, single bitted pole axes, six tooth wooden rakes, fire torches and a pint can with extra oil, whetstones, files, lanterns, canteens, wick-yarn, a large can of mixed oil, mattock, and spade. Of these tools the torch and brush-cutter are our own invention The cutters are made from old brush scythe blades. Blade i6 inches to 18 inches long and mounted on a worn out pick handle worked down to suit (see illustration). The torches (see illustration) are made of a 3-foot section of i-inch galvanized pipe. On the butt is a screw-cap with a cork interior. On the other end is screwed a i-inch to J^-inch reducer, and into this is screwed a 6-inch piece of ^-inch pipe for a w ick tube. A chain is attached near the ends affording an easy means of carrying, per- mitting of holding in proper position to rapidly start back firing. This chain is made long enough to permit the torch being carried on the shoulder, with the wick end near the ground when the torch - man is erect. The rakes have a white oak head 1% inch by i^ inch by 10 inches. Into this are set 6 locust teeth J^ inch diameter and 3 inches long. The handle is a piece of broom handle 3 feet 6 inches long, and is set in the head at a slight angle so that the user does not have to stoop so much in raking (see illustration). The torches, brush cutters, and rake are all entirely home-made. In addition to the above, a Western Electric portable 'phone, in a water- and weather-proof leather case is used. Heretofore it has been ne- cessary to carry a pair of climbers, but a telescope steel rod connector, made from jointed steel fish- ing rods is now being experimented with, by which the pole climbing will be eliminated. This has not been perfected as yet. The greatest need is a portable, compact, non- spoiling, ever-ready food store. This should in- clude a first aid packet. Robert G. Conklin. -i Forty Timberland Protective Associations to fight forest fires have been established in eleven States of the Union. A Blazed Trail in the Domain of Forestry. WHEN our forefathers first traversed the wildwoods of America they found it necessary to mark trees along the route which they might have occasion to travel ; that is, to cut off of trees, at frequent intervals, some of the bark facing the direction from which they had come, as well as that in which they were going. The white man did not have the instinct of the red man in the wilderness and was forced to indi- cate, in some way, where he had been or might again desire to go, and marking the trees was called ^* blazing the trail." This method of mark- ing a line through the wilderness was invariably followed by the surveyors of early days. Now, practically all important enterprises, all undertakings of moment, when travelling in the line of their development in an unknown and un- explored domain or field, have necessarily left their '* blazes" in some form along the routes followed by them. By searching out such marks their history can be fairly well determined, and their past and present positions be accurately lo- cated, and I purpose, in this paper, to follow the ** blazed trail" which our State government has made in dealing with its own possessions in the originally unexplored domain of forestry ; desig- nating, however, only the main line of travel and the purpose thereof, giving little heed to side ex- cursions. It would have been much more com- plete could I have had time to include the side trails made by the State in protection from fire, relief from taxation, and the like, and the labors and voyages of our Forestry Association, but the reasonable limits of my paper would have been exceeded. Therefore, i must confine myself to the determination of the most important line of policy and the purposes for which the Department of Forestry was created, together with its present powers and needs. Probably no word designating an enterprise or undertaking of so great importance is so loosely and indefinitely defined as the word forestry. It i is comparatively new with us. Its first appearance in an American lexicon was in i860, w^hen it was found in the first edition of Worcester's diction- i ary. It did not appear in Webster's until 1880, ' and then was noted as ^*rare." While it may now be found in all of the several dictionaries published in this country there is not full agree- ment among them as to its meaning ; nor does public opinion agree any better, if as well, with the dictionaries, or do the advocates of forestry agree with one another, as to what constitutes for- estry. One individual will claim that it means ii 74 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 7^7 75 #« removing only the mature trees from the forest, and allowing the younger ones to bring forth a new stand, and in time the latter themselves to become mature and be harvested, and thus a round of renewal to take place. Another will claim that when a tract of land has been practically denuded of its timber growth by the lumberman, even though fire shall have run over the ground, a new forest of valuable species will spring up in good time if only fire, lumbermen and thieves are kept out, thus practically assuming that all that is needed to restore and perpetuate our forests is to protect them, claiming that as Nature once grew the forests without aid she would do so again if permitted, and, therefore, that for the State to buy such land is the very '' alpha and omega " of forestry. Again, one insists that the stand should "be cut clean for a narrow strip alongside of a ma- ture forest, or in a limited spot entirely surrounded by mature trees, and thus let Nature do the seed- ing on the cut area ; while another claims that Nature cannot be depended upon to do this in any reasonable time, or to produce the species of trees needed for economic purposes, or that the lumber •cut from those that do grow will be of such quality as the market demands ; and this individual per- sistently insists that only after clean cutting, plant- ing seeds of desirable species, or, better still, growing young trees in a nursery and transplanting them into the ground where they can grow to ma- turity, can be depended upon to bring forth a good stand in reasonable time, and of satisfactory species, or of good quality. Then there are others who claim that forestry consists mainly in the pre- servation of the water supply at the sources of the important streams of the State, and protecting the people of the Commonwealth and their property from destructive floods. And still others firmly believe that true forestry consists in restoring the forests, no matter how, and maintaining them in full stand without cutting, that the beauty of the landscape shall be restored and preserved ; while some believe, or at least claim to believe, that true, unadulterated, broad guaged forestry can only "be found in growing trees of some sort that will give a home to wild life, where the hunter can gratify his desire to kill some weak, inoffensive, defenseless creatures that never did him any harm ; and others are to be encountered who, somehow, can see that real forestry would be best carried on if the lumbermen were compelled by law to take out of the woods every portion of a tree that they cut down, and stop all waste elsewhere-^whether there is a market for everything or whether they must do so at a loss — while some claim that the principal feature of forestry effort in this State should be just to buy land. There are still other views of what is real for- estry but enough have been set forth to show how wide a field is covered by the opinions of those who care enough about the subject to formulate any scheme or arrive at any conclusion whatever. That there is some truth in all of these beliefs there can be little doubt, but if an analysis of each of them should be made the quantity of that truth, if each were compared with the other, would show a most wonderful variation. But such analysis is not my task, but, rathtr, that task is to show how far the State of Pennsylvania has adopted and fol- lowed the lines indicated by any or all of these several ideas, and to show what the powers of the Department of Forestry are, how far it can go under the present organic law, what powers it should have given it to become effective for future satisfactory results, and what the State's policy should be in that important undertaking, for we most assuredly should come to know that there is no more important economic problem before us or one which will require so long a time in which to achieve acceptable results, or one that will demand so great an expenditure of money, skill, and per- sistent and intelligent work. The people of this Commonwealth should know and comprehend the enormous task that is before them if success is to be achieved, and they should know it at once. The first governmental action or anything look- ing to the preservation or perpetuity of the forests of Pennsylvania was when William Penn, in 1682, stipulated that in all the forests of his domain there should be one acre of forest left to every five acres cleared. If that wise policy could have been enacted into a law when that domain became a State, and faithfully lived up to thereafter, our condition now would be far better than what it is. But it was not lived up to even while Penn and his successors were Lord Proprietors in the prov- ince It soon fell into what the lawyers would call '* desuetude." It was not, to use a noted phrase, ** innocuous desuetude," for its neglect was harmful ; in truth, it was practically noxious desuetude. j j u r> When the State government succeeded the Fenn Proprietorship it continued the policy of disposing of its forest domain which had been inaugurated by its predecessors, and from its then ownership of nearly the entire area within its boundary lines, doubtless approximating 25,000,000 acres—for probably the Penns had not sold more than lour million acres-on up to the time it began to pur- chase land for forest reserves in 1897, these hold- ings had shrunk to a pitifully small sum, probably not exceeding 5,000 acres, if so much, and it did not even then know, nor does it now know, whero the little areas composing the number of acres n did possess were located ; and it sold that vast area, minus the 5,000 acres, when nearly its en- tire surface was covered with the best stand of timber trees for economic purposes that was ever found on this planet, for the absurd, paltry sum of twenty-six and two-third cents per acre. And here was a * * blaze ' ' that will never be overgrown or healed for it caused decay — and it is but truth to add that the State has already purchased back a round million acres of that very same land, prac- tically destitute of all valuable tree growth, and has given an average price of $2.28 per acre, and will doubtless continue to purchase until it shall possess several times that amount, and at such prices as conditions will determine ; and these purchases will be another '* blaze," but of a dif- ferent sort, which time cannot obliterate or dim. Now, no criticism should be hurled at the State for selling all its land that was suitable for agri- culture, for that was right and was a necessity. | The white man could not live in the forest ; only the red man could do that ; but as we look at it now it would have been far better if the State had retained the ownership of all its non agricultural lands, and of such mineral land as it was then known to possess, and disposed of them as the necessities of her citizens demanded. It is deplorable that this act of Penn's was the only governmental ** blaze " made along the line of preservation or restoration in the domain or realm of forestry in Pennsylvania for a period of 205 years ; and excepting legislation pertaining to forest fires and to responsibility for damages to private property from forest fires, and the like, nothing in the line of preservation or restoration was referred to by law until the act of June ist, 1887, which, to quote from the act, '* In consid- eration of the public benefit to be derived from planting and cultivating forest trees, owners of land planted with such trees, not less than 1,200 to the acre ' ' should be allowed a rebate of taxes proportioned according to time, age and size of trees. This act was declared unconstitutional by the court, and so far as a policy was concerned that decision practically obliterated the ** blaze." I do not know who was the author but whoever he was he had some clear cut ideas as to true for- estry. It had no relation, however, to State- owned land, and is referred to here because it was the first act, and practically the only one, which referred to planting and cultivating forest trees. The next act of the legislature was that of May 25, 1893, and the importance of this act, for it was the forerunner of all legislation pertaining to the Department of Forestry, and substantially the basis upon which all subsequent legislation on that subject is founded, makes it advisable to quote liberally from it that we may know what was the intent of the legislature that passed it, for we must seek and find that intent in order to correctly as- certain the purpose and scope of the law. Its main feature created a Forestry Commission of two members ** Whose duty" — **it shall be to examine and report upon the conditions of the slopes and summits of the important water sheds of the State for the purpose of determining how far the presence or absence of the forest cover may be influential in producing high and low water stages in the various river basins, and to report how much timber remains standing of such kinds as have special commercial value, how much there is of each kind, as well as indicate the parts of the State where each grows naturally, and what mea- sures, if any, are being taken to secure a supply of timber for the future." Section two of this act commands the Commission to report what parts of the State's land would be suitable for State Re- serves, their extent and value. There can be no question as to the intent of the legislature here. It was seeking information upon which, if neces- sary, future legislation could be based ; but just what is meant by the phrase ** State's lands suitable for State Reserves " is not clear, as the State at that time owned but little land and what it did possess was widely scattered, and its location un- known. Perhaps, however, the term refers to any land within the State whether of private, corpor- ate or State ownership. The Commission did its work, and made report and thus a ** blaze " was made that is not likely to be grown over and ob- literated. It clearly shows the purpose and intent of the journey and the object sought. The next governmental movement was the pas- sage of the act of March 13, 1895, creating a De- partment of Agriculture, having within it a Divi- sion of Forestry under the direction of a Commis- sioner of Forestry. The duties of this Forestry Commissioner are not named in the act but the Commissioner of Agriculture — which in effect amounts to the same thing, is directed, to ** ob- tain and publish information respecting the extent and condition of forest lands in the State ; to make and carry out rules and regulations for the enforcement of all laws designed to protect forests from fire and illegal depredations and destruction, and, as far as practicable, to give information and advice respecting the best methods of preserving wood lands and starting new plantations. Also to procure statistics of the amount of timber cut each year, the purposes for which it is used, and the amount of timber land brought under cultiva- tion, and to adopt all such measures as in his judg- ment may be desirable and effective for the pre- servation and increase of the timber lands of the II 'r HI .1- ^ ^^^ 76 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 77 State ; and he shall have direct management of all forest lands belonging to the Commonwealth, sub- ject to the provisions of law relative thereto." It is evident that the legislature still believed that the State owned more or less of what was known as ** unseated or vacant" land; but, as already noted, the State possessed but very little and did not even know where that was, hence all the du- ties incident to the Commissioner of Forestry were in the nature of advice to such only as sought it, and it referred to private property, for ** pre- serving wood lands and starting new plantations *' on such areas was not within his power. But it was a pretty distinct '' blaze," and has not been seriously obscured as will soon be seen. The next distinct *' blaze " was that of the act of March 30, 1897. It authorized the Commis- sioner of Forestry, I again quote, ^*to purchase j unseated lands held liable to sale by the county commissioners for non-payment of taxes ... if, in his judgment the same are so located, and are of such a character as to make them desirable to \ the Commonwealth for the purpose of creating and maintaining a Forestry Reservation, ... the lands so acquired by the Commonwealth shall be- come part of a Forestry Reservation system, hav- ing in view the preservation of the water supply I at the sources of the rivers of the State, and the protection of the people of the Commonwealth | and their property from destructive floods." Here, again, the intention of the legislature is clearly set forth, and the purposes for which the Reserva- tions were to be secured and maintained are plainly indicated and it was to preserve the water supply and protect the people from destructive floods. It was the dawn of the era of land pur- chase for Forestry Reservations, and was a ' *blaze' ' which has neither been obscured nor dimmed by any subsequent legislation. This act was followed at the same session by the act of May 25, 1897, giving positive instructions as to location of the Reservations. This latter act provides for the appointment by the Governor of a Commission of five persons whose duty was decreed to be as follows : ** The said Commission shall, after examination, locate the following Re- servations: One of not less than 40,000 acres upon waters which drain mainly into the Delaware river; one of not less than 40,000 acres upon waters which drain mainly into the Susquehanna river ; one of not less than 40,000 acres upon waters which drain mainly into the Ohio river ; provided that each of these Reservations shall be in one continuous area so far as the same may be practicable. The lands selected shall be of a character better suited to the growth of trees than to mining or agriculture, and not less than fifty per cent, of the area of each reservation shall have an average altitude of not less than 600 feet above the level of the sea. ' ' Another section gave this commission the right of eminent domain except as against any corporation created for the purpose of the preservation of the forests. This act stands on the statute book to-day unrepealed. Securing the 40,000 acres on the water shed of the Ohio river has been impracticable because of the ease- ments and reservations covering oil, coal, gas and other minerals on much of that drainage territory. In consequence of such conditions the Forestry Department has been able to secure only about 1 3,000 acres on the water shed of that river. This act practically reinforces that of March 30, of the same session, and there can be no question as to the intention of the legislature. Next comes the act of February 25, 190T, the purposes of which as set forth in the title, are : <* To establish a Department of Forestry, to pro- vide for its proper administration, to regulate the acquisition of land for the Commonwealth and to provide for the control, protection and mainten- ance of Forestry Reservations by the Department of Forestry." The personnel of the Depart- ment, as set forth by the act, consists of a Com- missioner of Forestry — a Deputy Commissioner has been added by a subsequent act — and four other citizens of the Commonwealth who, to- gether with the Commissioner of Forestry, shall constitute the State Forestry Reservation Com- I mission, and two clerks, eight in all. '' The Re- servation Commission shall be clothed with all the powers heretofore conferred by law upon the Com- missioner of Forestry and the Reservation Com- mission, so far as the same are consistent with i this act, and in addition shall have full power, by and with the consent of the Governor, to pur- 1 chase any suitable lands in any county of the Commonwealth that in the judgment of said Com- mission the State should possess for forest preser- vation ; provided that in no case shall the amount paid for any tract of land exceed the sum of five dollars per acre. (This restriction was raised to ten dollars per acre by act of the last legislature. ) I ** Said Commission is also empowered to establish i such rules and regulations with reference to con- trol, management, and protection of Forest Re- servations, and all lands that may be acquired under the provisions of this act, as in its judgment will conserve the interests of the Commonwealth; and wherever it shall appear that the welfare of the Commonwealth with reference to reforestation and betterment of State Reservations will be ad- vanced by selling or disposing of any timber on forest lands, the Commission is hereby empowered to sell such timber on terms most advantageous to the State." It should be noted that reference to << reforestation and betterment here applies to such lands belonging to the State as may have mer- chantable timber thereon — for, of course, no other timber would be marketable — the removal of which would bring forth a new growth, and it is the only direct reference made to reforestation of State lands in any act of the legislature. And again quoting from the act : ** It shall be the duty of the Commissioner of Forestry to encourage and promote the development of forestry, and to ob- tain and publish information respecting the condi- tion of forest lands in the State, and to execute all rules and regulations adopted by the Forestry Re- servation Commission fqr the enforcement of all laws designated for the protection of the forests from fire and depredation." It should be noted that the Commissioner of Forestry is required to enforce the rules and regulations adopted by the Forestry Reservation Commission when such are designated for the protection of the forests from fire and depredation, clearly indicating that the legislature deemed nothing more than protection from fire and depredation necessary to be done with the forests belonging to the State. There are other provisions in the act but they all relate to details of administration — nothing which changes the policy set forth in former acts and handed on to this one ; and this ends all leg- islation referring to the policy, purpose, develop- ment, control and management of lands embraced in the State Reservations. Several other acts were passed later on, one establishing a Forest Academy, another providing relief from burden- some taxation of lands having immature timber trees growing thereon, belonging to others than the State, while another provided for the convey- ance of so-called 'Vacant " land by the Depart- ment of Internal Affairs to the Department of Forestry, and several others relative to various matters, but none changing the purposes and aims in securing the Forestry Reservations or in their management. By act of the late legislature there was established a Bureau of Forest Protection within the Department of Forestry, which how- ever, applies to all lands in the State. Two sev- eral acts have recognized the existence and con- trol of nurseries by providing for the sale under proper conditions of trees growing therein, but nothing is said about planting any trees on State land. There can be no question regarding the inten- tion of the legislature in creating the Department of Forestry, and securing and maintaining For- estry Reservations. It was to provide for the pro- tection of the people of the Commonwealth and their property from destructive floods. This pro- tection was to be brought about by preserving the water supply at the sources of the rivers of the State, and the preservation of the water supply was to be secured by reserving and protecting the forests at the sources of those rivers ; and, inci- dentally, securing a lumber supply for future use. The idea that there were forests at the sources of the rivers of the State must have been dominant in the minds of the legislators, for no provisions were made to establish them if absent ; yet pro- tection from fire and depredation was distinctly provided for. There can be little or no question but that it was taken for granted that if so pro- tected the forests would become perpetual. It was evidently not the intention to purchase virgin or mature forests for the price was limited to five dollars per acre, and such could not be purchased for that sum ; but it is equally evident that it was the belief that there were standing on the sources of the rivers, what are generally called second- growth forests that would come on, and not only preserve the water supply but, in good time, pro- duce lumber for future use. No doubt but that it was believed that if these second-growth forests were protected that the lumber supply would take care of itself ; hence, a supply of lumber was not the dominant feature of legislation. It must not be forgotten that the prevailing belief at the time of the passage of the acts noted was that our for- ests were inexhaustible and few persons looked upon a timber famine in this country as a possi- bility. Therefore we should not hurl too many criticisms at the legislature for its failure to pro- vide for new forests or for the reforestation of old ones. It is quite certain that I would have voted for these acts had I been a member of the legisla- ture on the ground that they were the best that could then be secured. Such legislation as was en- acted was based upon a lack of understanding act- ual conditions, and was in accordance with gen- eral belief. Forestry at that time was practically in its infancy, and men who had no practical ex- perience in the forests of the country, and who looked upon one tree to be as good as another, and who saw a new growth coming on where the old stand had been removed, and even fire had run over the ground, jumped to the conclusion that protection from fire was all that was needed. In plain language the whole fabric was built upon a misunderstanding and lack of knowledge of for- ests and forest growth, and the needs of the coun- try for all the varied forest products. But experi- ence and observation have taught us that this sec- ond-growth is seldom— except in the case of the chestnut, and unfortunately that tree is doubtless doomed to practical extinction by the fatal fun- gus blight— of any value for lumber, for it [s v A 78 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 7» / mainly composed of worthless species which spring up and suppress the valuable ones. We have come to understand that a future supply of forest pro- ducts is of far more importance to the public at large than protection from destructive floods, how- ever important that may be,— and no one should claim that it is not important— for there is a vastly greater number of persons who would be seriously damaged by a lack of that supply than there is who would be injured by lack of protec- tion from floods ; and, moreover, we have come to know, too, that if the forests are of such char- acter as to be fully productive of these necessary forest products that the preservation of the water supply at the sources of the rivers of the State, and hence, the protection of the people of the Commonwealth and their property from destruc- i tive floods, would be even better assured than it ^ dependence were placed upon haphazard forests brought about through protecting what the lum- berman and fire may leave. Therefore the time has arrived when we should look to see whether the organic laws governing and directing our Forestry Department are suited ; to conditions which now actually exist and which \ must continue to exist. Unfortunately it must be admitted that they are not, that they fall lar short of that There are no provisions for establishing new forests by any other method than protecting existing ones from fire and depredation. But it will doubtless be asked : Is not the Forestry De- partment going beyond that in its work? To this answer must be made that it is. It is not only freely but, for my part, boastfully admitted that it is doing far more than protecting existing State Reservations from fire and unlawful depredation. It has established nurseries and is planting millions of trees on the Reservations, and doing many other things not provided for in the organic law under which it exists ; but it must be added that all of this practically outside work has to be leg- alized and made possible in the appropriation bills at each session of the legislature. • Aside from purchasing Forestry Reservations, and protecting them from fire and depredation there is no definite policy set forth under present laws. Everything outside of these two features is carried on according to the views of the Depart- ment and the Reservation Commission, and these views are liable to be altered through change of administrations. Imagine, for a moment what a change in the State administration could bring about, and this need not necessarily be a political one If a Reservation Commission should be chosen who thought that natural regeneration of the cut-over and mainly burned-over lands belong- ing to the State, would be brought about by sim- ply protecting them from fire and depredation, and that planting was unnecessary, the whole work thus far done towards practical reforestation with valuable species of trees would be halted and much that has been done thrown to the winds. Or supposing that for sinister or mercenary mo- tives scheming individuals, through political or other deplorable influences, should get control of the Commission it would be possible for the whole ■ system to be changed into a political machine. No one can deny but what such a condition would be disastrous. There should be a definite policy set forth. There should be mandatory legislation establishing what should be done and prohibiting what should not be done. I will not say that we are actually on the danger line but we are mighty near it. We are certainly on precarious if not j actually on dangerous ground. I do not charge that this has been brought about intentionally, but that it exists because the legislature has never un- derstood actual forest conditions. I am not a lawyer but I understand that when a party in court demurs to any proceeding he is bound to name a better one, and I hereby enter my demurrer, as I have several times, and to those whose duty it would be to make the change, and suggest my remedy : The Forestry Reservation Commission should be authorized to take any and all measures to restore in any manner, suitable to the location and condition, the forests on all lands belonging to the State, and to keep them in use- ful perpetuity for the future welfare of the people of the Commonwealth. This provision to include the establishment of nurseries for growing trees of valuable species, or if necessary, purchasing such trees, setting them out in the forests, caring for them until they become financially mature, to dis- pose of them to the best advantage to the State, and then replant, as soon as practicable, the ground from which they were removed ; and also to care for all naturally grown existing forests on State-owned land in such manner as will bring the greatest net returns to the State ; and to take any and all measures to protect, as far as possible all the forests belonging to the State from injury or destruction by fire or other causes ; and to this end to have power to employ such persons as may be found necessary to properly carry on the work. With this for a foundation with proper details tor management and administration, backed up with sufficient appropriations, there would be little need to concern ourselves about water supply and destruction from floods. S. B. Elliott. HANDBOOK OF TREES opened at Red Oak. Observe THAT TWO PAGES FACING EACH OTHER ARE DEVOTED TO A SPECIES. Lines in background indicate square inches. HANDBOOK OF TREES of the Northern States and Canada. Photo-descriptive. By Romeyn Beck Hough. Shows the fresh leaves, fruits, branchlets, and barks photographed to a scale with the vividness of reality. Distributions are in- dicated by individual maps and wood- structures by photo-micrographs. Other information in text. All species of the- region are covered. Price : In buckram binding, $6 ; in half-morocco, $8, delivered. •• With it one wholly unfamiliar with botany can easily identify the trees."— Melville Dewey. I*reH*t Vt. JLihrary Ans'n^ •• Indispensable for all students of trees." — Hotauical Gazette, " Extraordinarily thorough and attractive. Its- illustrations almost carry the scent and touch of the or\^m»\:'—New York Tinieti. " Unique, beautiful, and extremely useful. De-^ serves a place in the library of every tree-lover." —TJie Dial. "Nothing but praise for the work." —Ttie Nation^ " It is doubtful it any book placed before the public in recent years possesses the peculiar charm of this handbook." — 8t. JLouis Ltimberntan*. •• The most ideal handbook I have ever seen, treatment and execution.*'— C. Mart Merriatn, A model in Price, The igis Digest of the Game, Fish and For- estry Laws of Pennsylvania has just been issued. " A perfectly delightful book. A source of inspiration to every lover of trees.— Jtmrnol of Education. " The most satisfactory volume I possess on the subject, out of a total o! some 250 books on this and kindred subjects.'' —Dean Alvord, New York LEAF KEY TO THE TREES. By Romeyn Beck Hough. A compact pocket-guide in flexible covers, convenient to carry in pocket or liand-bag when yon go afield, 75 cents. Included witli the HANDBOOK or AMERICAN WOODS without extra charge. AMERICAN WOODS. Illustrated by Actual Specimens. By Romeyn Beck Hough. The specimens of woods used in illustrating this work are in the form of thin sections showing transverse, radial and tangential views of the grain. These, when examined in transmitted light, reveal dis- tinctive characters and points of interest that are a revelation. An accompanying text gives full information as to uses, properties, distri- butions, characters, etc. The work is issued in Parts, each covering 25 species. Price: $5, per Part in cloth binding; $/.oU in half- morocco. AMERICAN WOODS is of great interest and value to all who are interested in or desire to be able to recognize the various woods and learn about them. The strongest of testimonials to its value lies m the fact that its author has been awarded, by the Franklin Instisute of Philadelphia, the special Elliott Oesson Gold Medal on account of its production. Mounts of Woods for the Microscope, showing transverse, radial, and tangential sctions under a single cover-glass. Invaluable in the study of wood-technology. Highly endorsed for laboratory study. We have recently supplied 1,500 to a single school. Mounts of Woods for Stereopticon and Stereopticon Yjews of Trees, their characteristic fresh leaves, flowers, fruits, barks, and branchlets. Invaluable for illustrating lectures and talks on trees. Exhibits of our lines may be seen at the following addresses: PERMANENT EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT^ Office of PA. FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, ^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ 1012 Walnut St., PHILADELPHIA, PA. «,»«„iv*jTm« n C Office of FRANKLIN H. HOIOH, Esq., 900 F St. N. W., Suite 619-521, WASHINGTON, D. C. You are cordially inrited to coll and inspect the one most conrenunt to you or to r^ite for parii^l^rs and samples to ROMEYN B. HOUGH COMPANY, Box G, Lowville, N. Y. VOLUME OF AMERICAN WOODS DISPLAYED. Observe that the THREE SPECIMENS ILLUSTRATIVE OF A SPECIES ARE MOUNTED TOGETHER AND THAT THE ILLUSTRATIVE PAGES ARE SEPARABLE TO FACILITATE EXA- MINATION. ^ «l ii V 80 FOREST LEAVES. The Pennsylvania State College FOUR YEAR COURSE IN FORESTRY. A thorough and practical undergraduate course in technical forestry-— preparing men ifor all lines of professional and applied forestry. Special attention is paid to practical field work in surveying, mapping and forest measurements. One of the largest of the State Forest Reserves is within a short walk of the College. For information regarding entrance requirements, expenses, etc., address DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, STATE COLLEGE, PA. FOKEpT LEJ^VE^. THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THK Pennsylvania Forestry J. T. ROTHROCK, Consulting Forester, WEST CHESTER, PA. Terms upon Application. Association. The attention of the advertising public is called to the advantages we offer as a medium. Address, 1012 Walnut Street Philadelphia, Pa. CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY, CHESTNUT HILL, PHIL A. 30 minutes rom Broad St. Station. BOARDING SCHOOL FOE BOYS. niustrated Catalogue upon application* JAMES L. PATTERSON, Head Matter. BOARD OF TRUSTEES: THE BISHOP OF THE DIOCE8E OF PENNSYLVANIA, iVeirfdWrf. Samuel F. Houston, Vice-President. GEORGE Woodward, Secretary and Treanurer. JAMES M. BECK. WALTON CLARK. JACOB 8. DI8STON. EDGAR DUDLEY FARIES. FRANCIS I. GOWEN. J. LEVERING JONES. DR. HOWARD A, KELLY. FRANCIS D. LEWIS. RANDAL MORGAN, H. GORDON MoCOUCH. JAMES R. SHEFFIELD. FREDERICK W. TAYLOR. Of twenty-three graduates in 1910, twenty entered college, and of the twenty, seventeen entered without conditions. /I3 Vol. XV. Philadelphia, December, 1915. No. 6 Published Bi-Monthly by the PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, 1012 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. Entered at the Philadelpnia Post-Office as second-class matter. CONTENTS. PAGE VAT^ ,r- Narrative of the Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association 8i Report of General Secretary of Pennsylvania Forestry Association 82 Report of the Council of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association 84 Treasurer's Report 7 George W. Childs Park, Pike Co., Pa 87 Arbor Day in Potter County ^^ Exhibit of the Pennsylvania Department of Forestry 89 The Transformation of the Actual Forest Into the Normal Forest.. 90 Forestry Industry Conference 95 Subscription, $1.00 per Year. The attention of Nurserymen and others is called to the advantages ^■•■■■■, ■■.■■„■.■> .■ ' ' A ■■' ■, ■ ■■■: ■ ... -■ ■:-■'■ ■ ■■■- -. ., ■ V ■■: *-i • ■■'::'■■ ■• '■ ■■ ■ • 6 im "'■■¥-: ^5"4« :f ;^ ^:.^lf4:^i t'^ ••• ' u CO UJ o o CO UJ UJ UJ CO UJ o UJ CO UJ vO ^ CO Q. O H CO O Q < Ui UJ S UJ O O UJ UJ CO o UJ CD UJ O CO I I INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE ^rl FOREST LEAVES. 89 nished a luncheon and all were invited to partake. This large attendance of parents and visitors not only evidenced interest in the schools from an educational point of view, but in the beautifying of school grounds and that they believe in plant- ing trees. The afternoon was devoted to the program con- sisting of songs, recitations, an address, and the planting of the trees. All of the foresters in the county participated in the exercises and made addresses at the following places: — Costello, P. H. Fox ; Gold, Geo. S. Perry ; Colesburg, Thos. H. Golden ; Germania, H. C. VanHorn ; Dingman Run, R. L. Emerick. The foresters emphasized the importance of Arbor Day, the necessity of planting, the activi- ties of the Department of Forestry within the State, and the destructive results of forest fires. Too much credit cannot be given the County Superintendent for the splendid co-operation between the parents and schools in making this day a success. He issued a circular letter to every teacher emphasizing the planting of trees and re- quired a report on the character of the exercises, a statement showing the number of parents and visitors present, also of trees planted. He thor- oughly believes in making school grounds attrac- tive, and the rural schools of Potter county evi- dence this fact. R. Lynn Emerick. Exhibit of the Pennsylvania Department of Forestry. ON November 1 5-1 9th in Harrisburg in con- junction with the Welfare, Efficiency and Conservation Conference, the Pennsyl- vania Department of Forestry made an exhibit which attracted more attention than any other. It occupied a space of 14 x 20 feet. A small shed roof extended 4 feet out over the booth, was thatched with hemlock boughs from the South Mountains, and on the top was placed a sign with the name of the exhibitor. Four white pines, 7 feet high and 8 years old, from a forest plantation in Franklin county, were placed at the corners of the booth. ^ Specimens of 15 woods from the more common timber trees of the State were displayed in separate cases, being cut so as to show radial, tangential, and cross sections, while a section with the bark was displayed with each species. On a shelf in the rear of the booth in glass jars were shown the seed of about 50 species of timber trees. The common and scientific name of each tree being given. There were 3 large cases of photographs, taken in different sections of the State, mostly within the State Forests. These pictures showed timber stands, forest fires, erosion, brush lands, the Forest Academy at Mont Alto, plantations of seedlings for reforesting barren land, and the relation of forests to water supply. On the walls were hung a large map showing the million acres of forest land owned by the State, a smaller map of a State Forest gave details and topography, another compartment lines established and in process of establishment in Huntingdon county, and a warrantee map of a State forest. Large signs, 2x4 feet, and smaller forest fire posters occupied almost all remaining wall space. In the center of the booth 100 colored lantern slides were displayed in specially constructed racks illuminated from the inside. They were arranged in series when practicable. Thus, 5 slides showed a development of the horse chestnut flower and leaf from the bud, while 7 others illustrated the beginning and spread of forest fires, the utter desolation following the fires, the worthless forest weeds springing up in their wake, and the refor- esting of the burned areas with forest tree seedlings by the Department. The real feature of the exhibit was the giving away of 1,000 small white pines and Norway spruces, of the same species and size as those used by the Department for forest planting. They were raised from seed in the forest tree nursery at Mont Alto, and were potted in small pasteboard containers at the Capitol greenhouse. The demand far exceeded the supply, and at least a thousand more could have been used to ad- vantage. Undoubtedly this was one of the best advertise- rhents the Department has ever had, for it not only gave the people something which will maintain their interest long after the exhibit is forgotten, but it provided an opportunity to draw the visitors into the booth and give them a connected story about the Department and the way in which its work affects them and their children. For ex- ample, when visitors asked for a tree, the man in charge of the booth not only gave instructions for the planting and care of the young seedling, but showed seed like that from which it was grown ; pictures of the nurseries in which the trees were raised ; the plantations which are being made on burned-over land ; the forest fires and denuded areas which make these plantations a necessity, and the results which may be expected. Among the reading matter distributed were the Department's Report for 1912-1913; Dr. Roth- rock's lecture on **Areas of Desolation in Penn- sylvania ;" the game, fish and forestry laws of the State ; bulletins covering the wood-using industries of the State, and on the chestnut blight fungus ; also forest fire and conservation circulars. 4 dV it 3 ^0 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 91 The Transformation of the Actual Forest Into the Normal Forest. IF TWO maps of Pennsylvania could be shown the one illustrating the distribution and struc- ture of the original, and the other of the present forests, all would be amazed at the won- derful change that has taken place. The time that has elapsed during this transition may seem long, yet it could all be recorded upon the an- nual rings of the few veteran trees that are still standing in the forests. A casual retrospect upon the broad background, which the lumber industry furnishes us, will suffice to show that this chang- ing process had continuously been, a destructive tendency. Each generation of mankind has seen a smaller, more open, and less productive genera- tion of forests. It is not within human power to stop this changing process, but it is man's duty to see that in the future it will have a constructive and not a destructive tendency as in the past. Man cannot stop the flow of a stream, but can divert it from a destructive course into a useful channel where it will be constantly building up and not tearing down. Man is not a creator; neither should he be a destroyer, but should be a builder and benefactor. As the structure and distribution of the forests have varied, so Man's attitude towards the forests has also changed. A study of the growth of the American lumber industry, which has made wider and deeper ramifications into our economic life than probably any other will reveal this. To the early settlers the original forest was a thing of beauty and a rich hunting ground. As they began to develop the various soil industries the forest became an obstacle. To them it had a negative value, and as a consequence, was de- stroyed on a gigantic scale and in a most wasteful manner. The establishment of homes, the open- ing of agricultural land, and the preparation of pasturage for the cattle and pannage for the swine necessitated this destructive procedure. Grad- ually as the population became denser, as means of transportation were developed, and as foreign trade started, struggled, and expanded, the forests became things of positive value. Henceforth, they were no longer regarded merely as things of beauty, as of negative value, nor as obstacles to development, but rather as of positive importance. At first the commercial value was small, but it rose gradually, and in time became one of the coun- try's greatest assets. Many of us are inclined to look upon the ad- vancement of the lumber industry as a smooth and uninterrupted unfolding process. This concept is far from correct. An accurate graphic represen- tation thereof would resemble a long series of ter- races— not a smooth incline. There were many plateaus or dead-level periods, as well as steep inclines and temporary declines. Furthermore it is important that the advance of the lumber in- dustry is not looked upon as synonymous with the complete development of the forests, because the former is but a prelude to the latter. The com- plete development of forests may be classified into periods so as to afford a better perspective, and to faciliate orientation. The following three periods suggest themselves : Immediate or Complete Exploitation. Extended or Partial Utilization. Continuous or Regulated Yield. Period I. Period II. Period III. During the period of the Immediate or Com- plete Exploitation the forest resources were thought to be inexhaustible. There seemed to be no end to the timber supply. All merchantable material was removed from the forests immediately, and often in a very wasteful manner. A large per- centage of the original forest was cut-over before there was a real urgent demand for the resultant products. As a rule only a small percentage of the total stock was merchantable, and in extreme cases the cutting operations resolved themselves into selective exploitation. No attempts were made to protect and develop the material that was left standing, nor to extend the supply of the ** ripe " material. The intensity of the operation was determined largely by market conditions and immediate financial considerations. It was during this period that the characteristic methods of the lumberman were in vogue. The duration of this period in Pennsylvania varied, but in general may be said to have extended from the beginning of the primitive lumbering operations until about the year 1900. It neither began nor terminated at the same time in all parts of the State, we still await its termination. The period of P2xtended or Partial Utilization is essentially a period of reconstruction. Before its advent the lumber industry was the synonym of waste and extravagance. Economical methods were then not regarded essential to industrial life. Con- ditions have changed and the forest resources have been drained so heavily that an end is now in sight. The pending deficit which is already being felt, must be alleviated by extending the use of the existing stands, and establishing and developing a new growing stock. This period is characterized by a far-reaching educative campaign, the intro- duction of economical wood-using methods, the development of an efficient protective organiza- tion, and the beginning of crude silvicultural sys- tems of management. In Pennsylvania this period is just unfolding itself. It began with the close of the previous period, /. ^., about 1900, and its duration will depend upon the results of our ef- forts and those of our contemporaries. It may be regarded not only as a period of reconstruction or regeneration but also as one of preparation for the real constructive work which will surely follow. The period of Continuous or Regulated Yield may be known as that of forest management proper. With the advent of this period forest properties will be so regulated that they will produce continuously a wood-crop large in quantity and of good quality. This form of management presupposes a thorough comprehension of the fundamental premises and principles of forest organization, and embodies the application of national silvicultural treatment, and sustained yield regulation. In general it means the kind of regulation that is at present in vogue in many of the countries of continental Europe. As a result of such intensive manage- ment the yield of forests is regulated, and in ad- dition they become more attractive, sanitary, and productive. A general survey of the present activities in the forests of Pennsylvania will York Hnies. ♦• Unique, beautiful, and extremely useful. De- serves a place in the library of every tree-lover. — The jJial. '• Nothing but praise for the work." — The Nation. (« ii '• It is doubtful It any book placed before the public in recent years possesses the peculiar charm of_this ^^^^J^^,;„^,^„„_ A model in " A perfectly delightful book. A source of inspiration to every lover of iTees.-Jo^nnal of £:(lucation. "The most satisfactory volume ^ P'?f„^f,,«" ^,!^^^^^^^^ "The most ideal handbook I have ever seen, a total of some 250 books on ihis »^"^);j?,^^^^f;'°i^7^e,^ York treatment and execution."- C. Hart Merriani. LEAF KEY TO THE TREES. By Romeyn Beelt Hough. A comnact pocket-guide in flexible covers, convenient to carry in pocket or hand-bag when yon go afield. Price, ysint^ iLCled wlufthe HAxXDBOOK'or AMERICAN WOODS without extra charge. AMERICAN WOODS. Illustrated by Actual Specimens. By Romeyn Beck Hough. The specimens of woods used in illustrating this work are in the form of thin sections showing transverse, radial and tangential views of the grain. These, when examined in transmitted light, reveal dis- tinctive characters and points of interest that are a revelation An accompanying text gives full information as to uses, properties, distri- butions, characters, etc. The work is if ^^^ in Parts each covering 25 species. Price: $5, per Part in cloth binding; 17.50 in half- morocco. AMERICAN WOODS is of great interest and value to all who are interested in or desire to be able to recopize the various woods and learn about them. The strongest of testimonials to its value lies m the fact that its author has been awarded, by the Franklin Instisute of Philadelphia, the special EUiolt Oresnon Gold Medal on account of its production. Mounts of Woods for the Microscope, showing transverse, radial, and tangential sctions under a single cover-glass. Invaluable in the study of wood-technology. Highly endorsed for laboratory study. We have recently supplied 1,500 to a single school. Mounts of Woods for Stereopticon and Stereopticon Views of Trees, their characteristic fresh leaves, flowers, fruits, barks, and branchlets. Invaluable for illustrating lectures and talks on trees. Exhibits of our lines may be seen at the following addresses : PVRMiXFXT FDITCATIONAL EXHIBIT, Office of PA. F0BE8TRI ASSOCIATION, PERMANENT ^^^^^^ ' ^ „„„ ,«»,,„„iA PA 70 6th Aye., Cor. 13th St., NEW lOBh. 1012 Walnnt St., PHILADELPHIA, PA. Office of FBANKLIN H. HOVCH, Esq., 900 F St. N. W., Solte 619-621, WASHINGTON, D. C. You are cordially invited to call and inspect the one most convenient to you or to urite for particulars and samples to ROMEYN B. HOUGH COMPANY, Box G, Lowville, N. Y. VOLUME OF AMERICAN WOODS DISPLAYED. Observe that the THREE SPECIMENS ILLUSTRATIVE OF A SPECIES ARE MOUNTED TOGETHER AND THAT THE ILLUSTRATIVE PAGES ARE SEPARABLE TO FACILITATE EXA- MINATION. Vol. XV. Philadelphia, February, 1916. No. 7 Published Bi-Monthly by the PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, xoia Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. Entered at the Philadelpma Post-Office as second-class matter. ^Jl^iiL CONTENTS. is J^i?*V PAGE '^^fc — » Another Enemy! 97 Topographic and Stock Surveys of Pennsylvania State Forests 98 Some Criticisms of Pennsylvania's Forest Policy Answered loi A Destructive Snow and Ice Storm 103 Meeting of the American Forestry Association 107 Re-forestation in Denmark 109 Hrush Disposal in the Adirondacks 109 Results of Deforestation m Subscription, $x.oo per Year. The attention of Nurserymen and others is called to the advantages ^Forest Leaves as an advertising medium. Rates will be fur- nished on application. The Pennsylvania Forestry Association, FOUNDBD IN JUNB, 1886, Labors to disseminate information in regard to the necessity and methods of forest culture and preservation, and to secure the enact- ment and enforcement of proper forest protective laws, both State and National. Annual member ship fee. Two dollars. Life membership. Twenty-five dollars. Neither the membership nor the work of this Association is intended to be limited to the State of Pennsylvania. Persons desiring to become members should send their names to the Chairman of the Membership Committee, loia Walnut Street, Phila. President t Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock. Vice-Presidents, Robert S. Conklin, Wm. S. Harvey, Albert Lewis. Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, Samuel L. Smedley. General Secretary, Samuel Marshall. Recording Secretary , F. L. Bitler. Treasurer, Charles E. Pancoast. Committees of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association : Finance, Dr. Henry M. Fisher, Chairman ; Joshua L. Baily, Eckley B. Coxe, Jr., Wm. S. Harvey, Henry Howson, Jos. Johnson, Albert Lewis, Chas. E. Pancoa«t, J. Rodman Paul, H. W. Shoemaker. Law, Dr. Henry S. Drinker, Chairman ; Hon. Marshall Brown, Geo, F. Craig, Hon. Lucien W. Doty, W. W. Montgomery, Irvin C. Williams. Membership, Albert B. Weimer, Chairman ; Walton Clark, Hon. Robert S. Conklin, Mrs. Brinton Coxe, Dr. Henry M. Fisher, O. C. Hillard, Samuel Marshall, Solan L. Parkes, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, H. W. Shoemaker. Samuel L. Smedley, Mrs. Alexander Van Rensse- laer, L. A. Watres, John H. Webster, Jr., N. P. Wheeler, Dr. W. P. Wilson. Publication. Dr. J. T. Rothrock, Chairman ; F. L. Bitler, Egbert S. Cary, S. B. Elliott, Jos. S. Illick, Harrison Souder. Work, Mrs. Brinton Coxe, Chairman ; Mrs. David Reeves, Miss Mary K. Gibson, Miss Ethel A. Shrigley, J. Franklin Meehan, E. E. Wildman. Office of the Association, loia Walnut St., Philadelphia. Another Enemy! ^ I THE time to eradicate a weed is before it be- I comes a weed, — crush it out as soon as it ^^ shows a tendency to spread ! The same is true of any other animal or veg- etable pest. Most of these intruders come to us from older seats of civilization. Our native plants and animals worked out a sort of mutual bal- ance by which each was kept under more or less of a natural check. With the change of condi- tions here since the settlement of the country, our native plants and animals found themselves in a position of disadvantage with regard to the in- troduced life which came to us from abroad, be- cause that life had been long inured to the condi- tions which were new here and against which our animals and plants were struggling. The chestnut blight, which has practically wiped out our native chestnut in this State, probably came to us from abroad. If we had recognized it earlier and began at once a vigorous warfare against it, we might possibly have held it in sub- jection, but the case was hopeless when we began the work of extermination. We Were too late / We are under trial again ! It remains to be seen whether or not we will rise to the emergency. A new disease has come from across the ocean to plague us. This time the victim is to be our peer- less white pine, and probably not it only, but all the other related species of pines whose leaf bundle contain fine leaves ; — in all America about half a dozen species. This White Pine Blister Rust has thus far been found certainly in New York, Penn- sylvania, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachu- setts and Connecticut. Its presence in other States is probable. The important facts of the case are : ist. If allowed to go unchecked the disease will probably be as serious as the chestnut blight has been, and it will eventually destroy practically all of our 98 .11 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 99 white pine. 2nd. Thus far it does not seem to have secured such a start that it cannot be headed off, provided immediate, serious effort is made to exterminate it. But if anything is to be done it must be done at once. Our Pennsylvania Legis- lature does not meet for another year. It would be hoping for too much to expect that an extra session will be called to meet this emergency. A most serious loss of time because it comes at a critical period. A bill has been presented in our National C.on- gress asking for an appropriation of $50,000.00 to combat the disease. Massachusetts has asked its Legislature for a $10,000.00 appropriation tor the same purpose. The life history of this disease is thought to re- veal a vulnerable point of attack. There are certain fungi whose life histories embrace two or more distinct phases, each of which is unlike the other, and is spent upon a different host plant. This white pine blister rust is such an one. Ihe one phase with which we are most nearly and crit- ically concerned is that which belongs to our white pine. The other phase of the life of the fungus is spent on the currant and gooseberry bushes. There is a strong reason for supposing that by destroying these in any region in which the pine trees are affected by the rust that an end could be made of the disease, or that it could at least be held in check, because one essential phase in the life of the fungus had been wiped out. Attention should be called to the fact that growth of our American white pine has already been made impossible in portions of Europe by this disease. It is also in order to insist that if anything is to be done, it must be done at once, for the crisis is a most serious one. And it may be just as well to inquire whether it is not time to stop importation of foreign plants if we are to introduce diseases with them as serious as the chestnut blight and the white pine blister rust. J. T R. Six foresters have been detailed by the Com- missioner to work in the Deparment's office at Harrisburg during the winter months. One is engaged in tabulating nursery and plantation data for the Bureau of Silviculture. Four others are preparing for printing a table which will give at one reading the volume in cubic feet of a stump, log, or top of any size. Later they will index the Department's collection of lantern slides, and re- arrange the exhibit material and put it in shape for immediate shipment. Another of the foresters has been assigned to the drafting room for work on maps and surveys. Topographic and Stock Surveys of Penn- sylvania State Forests. E^ VERY forestal operation, be it in connec- ;^ tion with protection, silviculture, utili- zation, or management, depends upon growth character and topographic features. Be- fore plans can be formulated, an examination and survey of the growth and the existing topographic conditions must be made. Heretofore simply ocu- lar surveys have been made upon State Forests, but these gave no definite data with which to work. An ocular survey of growth and topography may suffice for a time ; but more specific and de- tailed knowledge must be had in order that work- ing plans may be made and followed. Changes in administration occur. Unless plans are well outlined, a succeeding forester will not know the intentions of his predecessor nor how best to carry out work already started. It is therefore essential that a careful and com- plete survey be made, including all topographical details and the location and description of all forest stands. Measurements of volume are es- sential and permanent sample plots are required i to determine rate of growth. For convenience in I management, the Forest needs to be subdivided j into suitable units, or compartments. Then and j then only is the forester in a position to make a I comprehensive working plan. For conducting this work styled Topographic and Stock Surveys within the Pennsylvania State Forests, plans were prepared during 191 3 and approved in the early fall of that year. It was then decided to start on six of the Forests, situate in Huntingdon, Centre, Mifflin, and Union coun- ties, namely, the Barree, Penn, Bear Meadows, Kishacoquillas, Greenwood, and Seven Mountains Forests. The area of these six contiguous Forests is about 125,000 acres. In addition to the State lands, there will be included in the topographic surveys about 5,000 acres of private land sur- rounded by State land or immediately adjacent. Due to the lack of the necessary instruments, little field work was done during 19 13. Before indicating the present status of the work and the progress to date, it is well to outline the method of procedure in making the surveys. At first, it was intended that each forester survey his own Forest; but experience in the field work showed early that the managerial duties of a for- I ester required so much time that surveying was I frequently slighted. Practically no field work could be done during the spring and fall fire seasons. The many other duties of a forester pre- vented continuous field work. To remedy this, five foresters were assigned as topographers, one to each of five surveys then under way, who con- duct field work whether or not the local forester is with the crew. One of the topographers has since been assigned to other work, leaving but four in the field at the present time. By appoint- ment of the topographers, three important advan- tages were gained. First, speed, since their work is surveying and other forest operations do not re- quire their time. Second, uniformity, since the togographer has more complete knowledge of the method of procedure. Third, accuracy. Upon completion of one survey, the topographer will be assigned to another, there to take up the same work. The stock inventory and growth studies are to be made by the forester in charge. The work being done may be divided into five operations: First, establishing bench marks; second, running traverses ; third, mapping the survey ; fourth, subdivision of the Forest ; fifth, stock inventory. I St. Be7ich Marks. Before beginning field work, a point of known elevation, a U. S. Geo- logical Survey bench mark, or a railroad or State Highway bench mark must be located. A line of levels, using a Wye level, is then run from the established bench mark through the Forest and temporary bench marks made about every quarter of a mile. These marks serve as bases to obtain elevations along all traverse lines. 2nd. Traverses. Two kinds of traverses are run, the primary traverses with a Gurley light mountain transit, and secondary transverses, upon which open sight compasses are used. Primary traverses are run along roads, trails, and fire lanes, making a network of closed lines throughout the Forest. A primary traverse should be closed within about three to five miles of line. Deflec- tion angles are taken and the needle bearing read. Elevations are obtained from vertical angles read from the vertical arc or circle on the transit. Ver- tical angles along the secondary traverses are taken by use of a military clinometer. Secondary tra- verses are run to obtain topographic details within the area enclosed by a primary traverse. All hori- zontal distances are measured with a 50-foot steel chain. Notes on growth are taken along all tra- verses and th . line of demarcation between two types of grc .vth noted so that later it can be shown on a map by orientation from traverse stations. Boundary corners of the Forest, and county and township corners are tied in with the survey wher- ever practicable. In many cases it is necessary to run out certain portions of the boundaries where the original survey is in doubt. Each traverse station is marked and a stake driven flush or nearly so with the ground. The number of the station is marked either on a guard stake or on a nearby tree, the tree being witnessed then toward the station. The latter method has been found satisfactory in regions where trees three inches or more in diameter are conveniently near a station. 3rd. Mapping. The third operation, mapping the surveys, is done in the office at Harrisburg, using a scale of 800 feet to the inch. Field notes are sent in and plotted as soon as possible. If a traverse does not close satisfactorily, a sketch is sent to the forester making the survey. The sketch will show how the lines appear when plotted and where the error in closure occurs. It then becomes the duty of the topographer to determine the cause of the error and make a cor- rection. After a number of traverses have been run and the plotting checked, a cloth tracing is made showing traverse lines, distinguishing between primaries and secondaries, the station numbers marked, and the forest boundary, county and township lines shown. This is called a Traverse Map. A Topographic Map with contours at 20-ft. intervals, and all other details usually shown on topographic maps is then made. After the coni- partment lines are established on the ground, a skeleton map giving all details of the Forest, ex- cept contours, with the addition of compartment lines, is prepared. This is known as a Compart- ment Map and will be used as a base for Age Class and Stand Maps. All maps are made in blue line prints on white background. 4th. Subdivision of the Forest. The fourth por- tion of the work has to do with subdividing the Forest into compartments. This is necessary for efficient management and orderly procedure of nearly every forest operation. The size of the compartments will be larger than sanctioned by European practice, but this is allowable and at times required, since our conditions are difl"erent from those in Europe. In some instances, it will be impractical at pres- ent to open all compartment lines of a Forest, or to mark all corners on the ground. All ridge lines and certain cross lines will, however, be run out and opened. Concrete posts are being used for compartment corners. 5th. Stock Inventory. Notes on growth are taken during the course of topographic field work. From these notes and additional growth data ob- tained later from sample plots and strip surveys, Age Class and Stand Maps will be made. Partic- ular care is used in locating stands of mature or nearly mature timber and calculations of volume will be made in such stands. Field work for topography has been finished on three of the Forests and will be completed for .'. f ii V 100 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 101 three others by the summer of 19 16. Two addi- tional surveys were started in July and will prob- ably be finished by July of next year. T. Roy Morton, forester on the Barree State Forest, began field work in the fall of 19 13, and had about completed running traverses in the fall of 1 9 14. Since then. Traverse, Topographic, and Compartment maps have been made. This Forest has also been subdivided into compartments, pro- visional subdivision lines having been sketched on both Topographic and Traverse maps and most of the lines subsequently run and established on the ground. Concrete posts 4" x 4" x 24" were used to mark compartment corners. These posts were set 18" in the ground. They weigh about 30 pounds, and cost less than 15 cents each for ma- terial and labor. Setting into the ground cost about 50 cents per post. This includes time re- quired for delivery, which is the big item of cost, since many must be carried to the tops of moun- tains. Mr. Morton is now in a position to make a working plan for the Barree Forest. Complete cost figures for the survey are not yet available for any but this Forest. Morton ran 13 miles of levels, costing $53.30, or at the rate of $4-i4 per mile ; 55.63 miles of primary transverses, costing $418.06, or at the rate of $7.51 per mile ; 74.5 miles of secondary lines, costing $530.50, or at the rate of $7.16 per mile. These costs include forester's time at 50 cents per hour. The total cost amounted to $1027.36, and the area of State Forest land included in the survey is 18,000 acres. ! The average cost per acre was 5.7 cents, of which only 1.4 cents per acre resulted from labor hire other than regularly employed foresters and rangers. Field work on the Bear Meadows State Forest in Centre County, was begun by Forester Walter D. Ludwig, unassisted by a topographer, in the fall of 1913. On September ist, 1914, topogra- pher Walter Leach was assigned to assist Mr. Ludwig, and field work was completed by the end of the year 19 15. The maps will be finished shortly. The total length of traverses run and the cost have not been compiled. Forester W. E. Montgomery began the survey of the Seven Mountains State Forest in Centre county in the summer of 1914, and on September ist H. W. Siggins was assigned as topographer to assist him. Topographic field work has been completed and maps are now being plotted. The three Forests already mentioned are con- tiguous and comprise an area of about 53,000 acres. In addition to this, the area surveyed in- cludes about 2,000 acres of private land made up of interior holdings and tracts immediately ad- jacent to State lands. Topographic field w^ork on the Penn State Forest in Centre county was begun in the fall of 1913 by forester Charles R. Meek. Owing to fire danger and other work, Mr. Meek was handi- capped and made only fair progress. W. J. Bart- schat was assigned as topographer to assist him September i, 19 14. Later Mr. Bartschat was suc- ceeded by topographer Jesse M. Houtz, who has since been transferred to the Jacks Mountain Forest survey. Mr. Meek has nearly completed running traverses and is at present trying to straighten out discrepancies in the boundary survey of the Penn Forest. It is expected to com- plete field work for topography by the spring of 1916. Forester Tom O. Bietsch began the survey of the Greenwood Forest, Huntingdon county, in the summer of 1914, but was held back because of other work demanding his attention. Robert W. Stadden was assigned to assist him as topographer September ist, 19 14, and was later succeeded by Chas. E. Woof. The topographic field work of this Forest will likely be completed during the spring and early summer of 1916. The survey of the Kishacoquillas Forest, Mifflin county, was taken up by forester D. Kerr Warfield in the fall of 191 3, but, due to scarcity of open roads and trails and the peculiarly difficult lay of the land, progress has been greatly retarded. J. Russell Fawley, topographer, was assigned on September ist, 1914, to assist Mr. Warfield. The survey should be finished this winter unless in- clement weather prevents. Surveys on two other Forests were started in July, 191 5. They are of the Pennypacker Forest in Perry county, H. E. Bryner forester, and Walter Leach, topographer, and the Jacks Moun- tain Forest, in Snyder county, W. J. Bartschat, forester, and Jesse M. Houtz, topographer. Very favorable progress is being made on these surveys, due largely to experience gained in field and office in the past two years. It is expected that they will be completed by July, 1916. The total area of the eight State Forests upon which Topographic and Stock Surveys have been started, is about 168,000 acres, made up as follows : Barree 18,000 acres. Bear Meadows .... • . . 21,000 Seven Mountains 14,000 Penn 15.000 Greenwood 23,000 Kishacoquillas 34»ooo Jacks Mountain 18,000 Pennypacker 25,000 n (( tt tt n 168,000 This is approximately one-sixth of the total area of all State Forests, the State now owning 1,004,- 636, acres. W. Gard. Conklin. Some Criticisms of Pennsylvania's Forest Policy Answered. IN a country of liberty of speech and press the policies, and actions of public and private services and institutions, will likely always he subject to more or less criticism. Especially is this true when the nature of the service is gen- erally unknown or not well understood, and often wilfully misrepresented. Forestry as an institu- tion of our Federal and State governmental policy is practically in its infancy, and a general know- ledge of its purposes and aims is still lacking. Thanks to this Association and others of like spirit in the country a better appreciation has been fostered, and better knowledge disseminated. Some of the policies of the Pennsylvania Depart- ment of Forestry have not been without criticism both privately and in the press — in most cases unjustly and without true knowledge of conditions and the purposes for which genuine conservation stands. This paper will discuss four general crit- icisms which have been and still are being di- rected at the Department of Forestry, and the answers thereto. The first relates to the '* Cutting of Timber on the Forest Reserves." A certain newspaper com- ing under observation recently contained an ex- tended article in regard to this, entitled : *' De- nuding State Lands," to the effect that the State Forestry Department is being criticised for cutting timber from the State Forests ; and that when these lands were purchased it was generally under- stood that the State intended to reforest the hill and mountain sides, etc., etc. Any criticism directed at the State Forestry Department for the cutting of timber from the State Forests is made without a true knowledge of forestry practice, and what conservation means. Conservation of natural resources means not the absolute non-use of such resources but the wise use of the same ; and forestry is one branch of conservation. Scientific forestry is a business, and means the continual production of a crop of trees on land which is not suitable for agriculture or grazing. It must be conducted as any other business undertaking. The forests must be put into such condition that a perpetual crop of trees will be produced. As a merchant or other busi- ness man aims to dispose of his undesirable stock, so must the forester dispose of those trees which are a detriment to the other trees As the farmer harvests the grain when ripe, so must the forester remove the crop of trees when mature in order that he may produce another crop. If the farmer allows the ripe grain to stand too long in the field, it will decay and be worthless. Trees grow. reach maturity, and die, and unless they are cut when ripe become worthless for any purpose. Generally trees should be cut when that point is reached where they no longer return a reasonable rate of interest on the investment. Is that not purely a business proposition ? Who would con- tinue to hold a bond which had matured and no longer bore any interest ? In continental Europe where forestry has reached its highest develop- ment an acre of State forest yields from $3 to {10 net annually. These countries have been prac- ticing forestry for hundreds of years and regulate the forests so that a crop of trees is produced, and cut each year. The newspaper article said further that it was generally understood that the State purchased these lands to reforest them. Very true, and how can this best be done ? By allowing the trees to stand until they fall down from decay or die in the struggle among each other for light and mois- ture ? Certainly not. Or by cutting such trees as have matured or are so close and crowded to- gether as to interfere with the growth and de- velopment of all ? Assuredly yes. As the gar- dener thins out the beets, spinach, and other vegetables to increase the growth of the re- mainder, so must the forester thin out the trees to give the young growth a chance. Will such cut- ting denude the State or other lands ? Until for- estry principles were put into practice it was the general rule to cut everything, young and old, leaving nothing to reforest the land. The for- ester requires that some trees be left standing, generally those under a certain diameter, so that these trees will grow and furnish a new crop to be harvested. There can be no practical forestry without reg- ulated cutting of the trees. In time and under proper forest management our State forests will be made to yield a net return per acre each year without reducing or impairing the forest growth. This is the end for which the Department of For- estry is striving, and no one need be alarmed that '' there will be little left after the State's woods- men leave the forests. The second criticism to be discussed relates to the '' Prohibition of Cattle Grazing on State For- est Reserves." Those people living near to or in the mountains, who have been accustomed to al- low their cattle to roam at will, resent the pro- hibition of grazing on the State Forests, and this resentment often finds expression in the public press. A certain paper said that the people <* were exercised over a condition of affairs which is sure to add still more to the high cost of liv- ing " namely, the prohibiting of grazing on the Forest Reserves of the State. The State Forestry ^ -^H < ii 102 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 103 Reservation Commission is empowered by the Act of 1 90 1 creating the Department of Forestry, ^* to establish such rules and regulations with ref- erence to control, management, and protection of forest reservations as in its judgment will conserve the interests of the Commonwealth," etc. To do this, certain rules and regulations had to be made and enforced. One of these is the restriction of grazing on the reserves. WHY ? Because it has been proved by experiment that cattle do much harm to young growing forests. Contrary to a general opinion, cattle do not generally travel in a straight line over wild lands but wander here and there, doing damage everywhere. They eat many of the young seedlings entirely. They bite and nibble the outer bark of the larger trees, often killing them. They destroy many small seed- lings, and trees by their continued tramping over the ground. They eat the tender buds and shoots of young trees, retarding the growth and often killing them. They injure the surface roots of the trees by treading on them. The hoofs of cattle cause stiff soils to become more compact. Loose sandy soils become still looser through the de- struction of the herbage which holds the soil to- gether, especially on steep slopes and hillsides, thus allowing the soil to wash away. They de- stroy the humus and its water holding power, thus diminishing the water supply and making it im- pure. It must be remembered that most of the land held as State Forests consists of steep slopes and hillsides. The land contains mostly second growth timber, and was purcliased from lumber companies after all merchantable timber had been removed. The trees are young and tender, and will need protection for a long time. The soil and especially its cover, will need protection al- ways, to conserve the fast-failing streams, to protect public health, and to promote general prosperity. In view of all this, can anyone say that the prohibition of grazing within the State Forests is not wise and necessary ? Moreover, grazing is prohibited in most Euro- pean countries where forestry is practiced, and also within the National Forests when conditions are similar to those found on the State Reserves. In every case where a reproduction is desired, where the trees are now small and must be protected to insure a future growth of timber or a sufficient soil cover to conserve the water supply, grazing is rigidly excluded. The third criticism deals with the '* Forest Fire Problem in the State." The following pertinent suggestion recently appeared : '* I can't see why fifteen cents an hour to men to stop a fire before it is started (to be really Irish), is not better than fifteen cents an hour to put it out after it has done the damage." The point is well taken, indeed. In every line of endeavor to-day it cannot be de- nied that prevention is far better than cure. Suf- ficient money for adequate patrol, and watchful- ness during the dangerous periods are what is de- sired and have been fought for before every Leg- islature. But let us see what the loss is from forest fires in this State, and how much the Leg- islature appropriates for these purposes. Five hundred thousand dollars to one million dollars is the average direct loss each year from forest fires within Pennsylvania. Five million acres of land are being kept unproductive by for- est fires. This area is capable of yielding from 200 to 500 board feet per acre each year, or a total of at least 1,000,000 thousand feet board measure. Twenty dollars is paid as wages for the harvesting and manufacture of each thousand feet of lumber, consequently the loss to labor each year at least is, $20,000,000. In order to lessen this loss to labor, and to in- sure our forests now valued at about $140,000,000 the Legislature appropriates $50,000 for two year's work of prevention and extinction of forest fires. This amount is far from sufficient to pay the ex- pense of extinguishing forest fires alone. At every session of the Legislature there is a deficit, and an appropriation is asked for to care for the amount unpaid. This year the deficiency for fighting fire is about $25,000, and this sum has been appro- priated by the Legislature. How then can any of the original $50,000 be available for patrol and prevention work, when a deficiency appropriation I must be asked for to pay for extinguishing the fires? When these facts are firmly impressed upon the people, and especially upon the members of the Legislature, a changed public sentiment will de- mand that funds shall be available to '* stop a fire before it is started rather than to put it out after it has done the damage." In conclusion, just a brief discussion regarding the one-time opposition to the State acquiring forests lands and the ^'old, old story" that the township loses taxes because of such acquisition. There is no foundation or justification for such statements. Take a concrete example. The Com- monwealth of Pennsylvania now owns as State Forest in Centre County 78,445 acres of land and in Clinton County, adjoining, 128,336 acres. By legislative enactment, for all lands so held, the State must pay annually to the townships in which such lands are located 2 cents per acre, for school purposes, and 2 cents for road purposes. The townships in Centre and Clinton Counties re- ceive annually from the State, $8,271 .24 for school and road purposes. In most cases this is far more than would be received as taxes if these lands were held by private owners. Furthermore, the townships are relieved of the trouble and bother to collect taxes from many individual owners. In many cases taxes were not paid. The lands were then advertised and sold for the non-payment of taxes. Such advertisements are often seen in the county papers. A former assessor in a certain township in Centre County has said that the State lands in his township, when held by private owners, paid only about $30.00 in taxes, while these same lands under State control now pay $238.36 annually. In addition, the revenue which is derived from the sale of timber, leases, and from other sources in connection with the administra- tion of State Forests, goes to the '* State School Fund ' ' for the education of the children of the State. The many other benefits must not be forgotten which come to a community when the State as- sumes control. Some of these are the employment of labor, other expenditures in forest work, im- proved roads, purer water, better health, and best of all, protection from fire. There are in- sured more and better fishing and hunting, and a future growth of timber to perpetuate the indus- trial activity of the State. If the people of Penn- sylvania desire more revenue and greater benefits from the State Forests their wishes may be accom- plished only by protecting and caring properly for the land and its growing timber, and by a strict observance on their part of the rules and regulations made to insure such protection and care Walter D. Ludwig. A Destructive Snow and Ice Storm. IF MAPS were available, showing the distribu- tion and composition of the forests of Penn- sylvania in the years 1600 and 1900, it would be seen that a wonderful change has taken place within a period that represents only a few genera- tions of trees. It is quite evident that many agents were at work in bringing about this change, but that man played the leading role in transforming the beautiful and valuable original forests into the present less attractive, far less productive ones and in many cases simply acres of desolation. In look- ing upon this tragedy, attention has been central- ized upon the actor playing the leading role, and full consideration has not been given to minor actors. In this article it is hoped to record the destructive work which a minor agent did in the forest because of an unusual combination of con- ditions. , . Beginning with December 5th, 1914, a combi- nation rain, snow and ice storm swept across the eastern states, doing considerable damage locally. A portion of eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey, aggregating about 600 square miles, suffered heavily, especially the area located in the southern part of Northampton county, the eastern part of Lehigh county, and the northern part of Bucks county, in Pennsylvania, and the adjoining counties of Hunterdon and Warren, in western New Jersey. Considerable damage is also reported from other portions of Pennsylvania, particularly the central and northern parts. A similar storm is recorded in Forest Leaves, Vol. XIII, No. 2. It occurred on February 2TSt, 1902, and did considerable damage in Philadelphia and its suburbs. Light and moderate damage to trees by snow and ice are quite common, but instances of such heavy destruction over so large an area are rare. I The older residents of the above region— one of I them 92 years of age— state emphatically that I never within their recollection did snow and ice ' do such destructive work on so large and intensive I a scale. In many peach and apple orchards it is difficult to find a single tree that has not been ! damaged to some extent, while many of them, sometimes entire rows or blocks, were broken com- i pletely to the ground. Ornamental, shade, and roadside trees likewise suffered severely. By an actual count it was found that about 90 per cent. ' of the trees on large forest areas had their crowns i either broken off entirely or else damaged so badly ' that little except stubs of branches and branchlets remained. Such forests, viewed from a distance, resembled forests of broken masts rather than trees. In order to determine the cause of such snow- and ice-damage to trees it is necessary to con- sider a few well-known meteorological phenomena. Rain, snow, and sleet are simply different forms of precipitation resulting from a vigorous conden- sation of the invisible water vapor of the atmos- phere The particular form in which the precipi- tation appears is determined largely by the existing temperature. If the atmospheric temperature is below the freezing point and the condensation vigorous enough to produce precipitation, then snow is the result. It follows then that snow is simply the winter form or equivalent of rain, and that the small, clear particles of ice commonly known as sleet, are frozen raindrops. The absence of a uniform temperature in various strata of the atmosphere, often produces a change in the form of the precipitation during its passage from the clouds to the earth. Precipitation may start in the clouds in the form of snow and descend upon the earth in the form of rain, or it may start in the form of rain and land in the form of sleet. 1? 104 FOREST LEAVES. The influence of the different forms of precipi- tation upon tree growth, under certain conditions is beneficial, under others injurious. Rain in an unconverted form is one of the most essential factors of tree growth. It may, however, do damage to seedlings if of long-continued dura- tion or descends in great violence, and to large trees if it is converted into ice upon coming in contact with them. Snow maybe beneficial or injurious, depending upon the condition in which it falls. If it descends in small, flat, and relatively dry flakes, as is the case in very cold weather, it | does little damage ; but if in large semi-watery ^ flakes, which mat themselves together in large I blotches and accumulate in masses upon the per- sisting leaves, twigs, branches and trunks, then , the damage resulting therefrom is often great. Snow in a semi-watery condition may find lodge- ment upon trees and immediately freeze because of a sudden drop of the atmospheric temperature, or because the trees are colder than the surround- ing atmosphere. A single deposit of the above nature rarely does very great damage except it be unusually prolonged. A light or moderate accumulation of snow upon the branches of trees may often be of considerable value, because it breaks off many defective branches on account of their low carrying-power, while the healthy ones remain undamaged. A walk through the forest after a storm during which an accumu- lation of snow was deposited upon the trees, will enable one to see a large amount of semi -decayed and insect-infested material lying upon the forest floor, which was removed from the trees by the pressure of the snow. The removal of this unde- sirable material from the trees proves the value of snow as a forest sanitation agent. Such a light or moderate accumulation of snow may, however, serve as a better foothold for future deposits, and the damage resulting from such successive or cumu- lative deposits may be very great. Sometimes rain falls shortly after a period of se- vere cold, with the result that it freezes upon every- thing with which it comes in contact. The thick- ness of the ice accumulation depends upon the duration of the rain and the temperature. If the temperature rises, the ice accumulation will thaw, or at least not increase in amount, and if it falls, snow or sleet will replace the rain ; but if it should happen that the temperature hovers about the freezing point, then the ice accumulation will continue, and the resulting damage to the tree growth may be enormous. Hence, it follows that the most destructive snow and ice storms are the result of a prolonged precipitation, with a slightly fluctuating atmospheric temperature hovering about the freezing point, followed by a falling tempera- ture and rising wind. The climatic conditions under which so great damage was done in the region under discussion, can be determined from the subjoined weather re- port supplied by D. Wilson Smith, United States Weather Observer, located at Phillipsburg, New Jersey. in O § U M rt E S O tC o uopodJip paiM C 3 ** "i ^ 2 E ^ QO O a o M H < u * >2^ c a > 0) 1) zn c/: (L> 1 I u u 4> o G O o o o O 3 O u u 0 u u w w w w w w :z; ;z; ;zi ;z; ;z; :?; O o i-<* CO CO O O d CO a a o B < o (X) v.S r 0 U- 150 o c V c N Tf CO rO CO CO O a. o H X < H u H rdJac)} lO « On 00 M N N o CO N X> — C^ On 00 ro '"O r< fO 'O M M •lunui unmvO lorj-cococococo Id H Q 11 N •^ rf LT) vO t^ 00 On O The above report shows that the range of temperature during the storm, which lasted about 98 hours, was^only 6 degrees, /. e.y from 28° to 36°. During 'the entire period of precipitation the temperature was at or near the freezing point, and as a consequence, at times it took the form of cold rain and at other times of snow or sleet. Deposit after deposit fell upon the already rigidly adhering accumulations upon the trees, with the result that one after the other gave way 1! Forest Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 7. Forest Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 7. JUST BEFORE THE BREAK. EVERY TREE LOADED TO ITS MAXIMUM CARRYING-POWER. UN8YMMETRICAL TREES BORDERING EVERY TREE LO^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ SUFFERED HEAVILY. FRANKLIN COUNTY, PENN'A. RESULT OF THE SNOW AND ICE STORM. AN ACCURATE COUNT SHOWED 90 PER CENT. OF THE TREES WITH BROKEN TRUNKS OR CRUSHED CROWN. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO FIND AN UNDAMAGED TREE. NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PENN'A, H WORK OF THE SNOW AND ICE STORM. THE BRITTLE CHESTNUT TRUNKS WERE SNAPPED OFF WHILE THE MORE FLEXIBLE BIRCH SAPLINGS WERE BENT ALMOST TO THE GROUND. NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PENN'A. A MONTH AFTER THE SNOW AND ICE STORM. NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PENN'A. 41 Forest Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 7. Forest Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 7. JUST BEFORE THE BREAK. EVERY TREE LOADED TO ITS MAXIMUM CARRYING-POWER. UNSYMMETRICAL TREES BORDERING ROADS AND LINES SUFFERED HEAVILY. FRANKLIN COUNTY, PENN'A. I RESULT OF THE SNOW AND ICE STORM. AN ACCURATE COUNT SHOWED 90 PER CENT. OF THE TREES WITH BROKEN TRUNKS OR CRUSHED CROWN. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO FIND AN UNDAMAGED TREE. NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PENN'A. WORK OF THE SNOW AND ICE STORM. THE BRITTLE CHESTNUT TRUNKS WERE SNAPPED OFF WHILE THE MORE FLEXIBLE BIRCH SAPLINGS WERE BENT ALMOST TO THE GROUND. NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PENN'A. A MONTH AFTER THE SNOW AND ICE STORM. NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PENN'A. ^h1 FOREST LEAVES. 105 to the unbearable burden. After the precipitation ceased, the temperature gradually began to lower, and everything which had found lodgement upon the trees, was frozen fast so that attempts to shake or knock off the material proved futile. Most of the trees were loaded down to their maximum carrying-power, which they were able to endure for a short time, but gradually began to give way under the prolonged and excessive load. The breaking of each tree was reported by a sharp sound. At times, particularly at night, those who lived within or near the forest, felt as if they had been transferred by some mysterious force into that part of the present European war zone in which the skirmishing parties were in action. At times the sharp reports of breaking trees followed in close succession, while at other times they oc- curred at longer intervals. A slight rising of the wind usually accelerated the breaking. Most of the damage, however, was due to excessive and prolonged pressure, because at no time during the period of damage did the wind become very strong. The extent of the pressure can be appreciated from the fact that many branches one-fourth of an inch in diameter, were not partially, but completely surrounded by an envelope of solid ice an inch — and in some cases an inch and one-half — in thick- ness. Many branches were bearing loads of more than one hundred times their one weight. Not all trees were damaged to the same extent ; some were more resistant than others. As a rule, evergreen trees suffer more than deciduous trees, because the latter are without foliage in winter, except for the few dead leaves which may persist. In the particular region mentioned evergreen trees are rare. The Red Cedar (/uniperus virginiana) was, however, locally very abundant, and some- times occurred in rather extensive pure stands. Single specimens, and in some cases whole patches were bent down to the ground, but rarely were any broken off. If they were it was usually due to a defect of some kind at the break. This species, even though it is an evergreen, was one of the most resistant, which may be attributed to its narrow conical form, continuous trunk, and fairly strong and flexible wood. The carrying-power of the s^^ecies is also an important factor. Many of the common trees differ widely in this respect. Some produce weak and brittle wood, while that of others is strong and tough. The superior power of resistance of certain species was very evident. The most im- portant species might be classified as follows, be- ginning with the least and ending with the most resistant :— Chestnut, Tulip Tree, Red Maple, Oaks, Ash, Birch, Elm and Hickory The rela- tive resistance was difficult to determine because the snow- and ice-accumulation was so great that even the most resistant species could not begin ta bear it. Very young trees are usually slender and flexible, and as a consequence are readily bent down to the ground. They, however, are capable of regaining their original position again soon after the pressure is relieved. In peach orchards under 4 years of age hardly any damage was done, while in adjoin- ing older orchards almost every tree was broken. In case of a prolonged pressure it is often im- possible for even young and slender stems to re- gain their original position, within a reasonable length of time, and as a consequence their growth may be arrested, and in some instances they may die. Defects are always present in the wood of trees that have been retained in a crooked or bent position for a considerable length of time. Trees over twelve inches in diameter rarely had their trunks broken off, but generally had their crowns crushed, because sound trunks of such di- mensions are usually too rigid and the crowns too small in proportion to the size of the trunks. Trees with a continuous trunk frequently had their their trunks snapped off, while trees with a deli- quescent form of branching, were more apt to have their crowns crushed and their short trunks left intact. Many large trunks are still standing with nothing left of former crowns except short stubs of the lateral branches. The salvage from such trees will be greater than it could have been if their trunks had been broken. The greatest damage is usually in middle-aged material from three to twelve inches in diameter. In trees of this size the trunks are usually broken off, and as a consequence the material which cutting operations will yield is inferior in quality. The wood must generally be used for fuel, mine timber, or posts. In some cases where the trunks were snapped off near the crown it may be possible to obtain short poles or occasionally a railroad tie. The severity of the storm may be in part appre- ciated by the fact that trunks of sound Pignut or Shell-bark Hickory trees, ten inches in diameter, were snapped off. Great numbers of sound White ; Ash, Tulip Tree, Oaks, Maples, and Elms six to ten inches in diameter, were also broken off. A stand in a healthy condition is more resistant to damage than an unhealthy stand. Breaks al- ways take place at the point of least resistance. Trees attacked by insects or fungi are less resistant to breakage than trees free from these destructive agents. A close examination of many breaks showed insect borings or semi-rotten wood at the point of the break. Trees that are not properly spaced, /*. FOREST LEAVES. as a result, the lumber market is unable to adjust itself to the varying conditions. I *^A condition which materially influences the lumber market is the competition of building ma- i terials which take the place of wood. Lumber- : men must adopt more extensive measures of pub- | licity, education and service to offset this com petition. The competitors have made capital out of the popular impression that our forest resources ! are practically utilized. , '' Such is not the case. With an enormous re- I serve supply on the Pacific coast, readily available : large timber areas still standing in the North, South and East, and with an estimated total of 200,000,000 acres of farm woodlots which con- tribute to local needs, the fallacy of a timber shortage becomes evident." | Mr. Henry S. Graves, Chief Forester of the . United States reviewed the national forestry situ- ' ation and laid special stress on the opportunities provided in a bill for the extension of educational w^ork in the line of farm woodlot forestry. 1 *'The farm woodlots, said Mr. Graves, are a part of the agricultural resources of the country that it is desirable to develop. It lies with the States to utilize the funds available through this law for educational work in this direction." Mr. Graves announced that a government sur- vey had recently been made of the lumber and for- estry conditions of the country, especially in the West, and it would soon be issued with recom- mendations as to how the lumber industry and conservation of forests could be improved and changed to secure better results. Dr. Henry S. Drinker the retiring President of the American Forestry Association gave a brief talk on the plantation work that had been done on hitherto bare hilltops near Nanking, China. Under the direction of a graduate of Lehigh Uni- versity at the Nanking School in which forestry is taught, large numbers of young Chinese Stu- dents are entering this course and when they leave will do good work in conservation, especially in plantation. Mr. W. W. Colton talked on '*City Forestry and Its Future." He stated that 40 cities now have a city forest or shade tree department. ** City Forestry," comes under the head of aes- thetic or landscape forestry. The great number of imported trees used in the decoration of streets and parks, the growth of cities and towns and the congestion of highways makes it more necessary at the present time to have a city forester than it was 20 years ago. It has become necessary to make a study of the species most capable of living under these adverse conditions and to replace the less desirable trees with those that are more hardy. ** It is generally admitted that shade trees are necessary adjuncts to the cities. Real estate men declare that trees increase the value of adjoining property from 25 per cent, to 40 per cent. Prof. H. H. Chapman, of the Yale Forest School advocated the education of land owners in the practice of forestry. ** Forestry needs trained men so that the ap- pointment of State foresters should be taken out of the political arena." ** The plan is already in practical operation in several states, and has secured definite results. The present tendency is to urge the consolidation of forestry with other State activities such as game and fish protection, stream regulation, minerals and parks. Results in the states where this method has been tried have shown that commissions so constituted lose interest in forestry and develop the other features to permanent impairment of the forestry work." Prof. Chapman gave it as his opinion that there is but one way to secure a real forestry policy and efficiency, and that is by maintaining a seperate organization with its own force, its own funds and managed by its own non-political board, and that under such conditions State forestry will in time accomplish tremendous results for the good of the entire community. Other speakers were Governor Samuel W. Mc- Call, Dr. Chas. W. Eliot, William A. Whitney, Frederick J. Hillman, Gordon Lee, Chas. Lathrop Pack, E. C. Hirst, W. B. Greely and Dr. H. G. Fernald. The following new officers were elected : Presi- dent, Charles Lathrop Pack ; Vice-Presidents, Theodore N. Vail, Mrs. John G. Sherman, William E. Colby; Treasurer, John E. Jenks ; Directors, John S. Ames, E. P. Allen, Robert Bass, H. H. Chapman, H. S. Drinker, and J. E. Rhodes. 1 At the meeting of the Pennsylvania Forestry Reservation Commission on January 7th, it was 1 decided to give away 1,500,000 forest tree seed- lings under the act passed at the last session of Legislature. Since then, applications have been filed for about 1,250,000. The Berks County Conserva- tion Association, and residents of Berks county have asked for 778,000. It is proposed to have 583,000 planted by the school children of the county, 20,000 at two orphans' homes, 25,000 at Wernersville, 100,000 on Reading's municipal for- est lands, controlled by the Water Bureau and the Bureau of Parks, 25,000 by the borough water com- panies of the county, and 25,000 on private estates. This is gratifying evidence of the willingness of Pennsylvania's citizens to help in reforesting, and it is plain that the supply of seedlings will not meet the demand by many thousands. FOREST LEAVES. 3dv 109 Re-forestation in Denmark. THE most stimulating yet practical suggestion as to a people's awakening to the necessity j of forest planting is to be found in Den- ; mark. There could not be a better preparation for Arbor Day than to read Jacob Riis' vivid de- scription of the rescue of Denmark, in *^The Ghost of the Heath." He thus depicts the depth of denudation in Denmark : <* Next the wild hordes of the Holstein Counts overran Jutland. Its towns were burned, the country laid waste. Great fires swept the forests. What ravaging armies had left was burned in the smelteries. In the eighteenth century men began to think of reclamation. A thousand German colonists were called in and settled on the heath but it was stronger than they, and they drifted away until scarce a half hundred families remained. The Gov- ernment tried its hand, but there was no one who knew just how, and only discouragement resulted. Then came the war with Germany in 1864, that lost to Denmark a third of her territory. The country lay prostrate under the crushing blow. But it rose above defeat and disaster, and once more expectant eyes were turned toward the an- cient domain that had slipped from its grasp. | ' What is lost without must be won within ' be- 1 came the national slogan. And this time the man for the task was at hand. I Enrico Mylius Dalgas tramped the heath far and wide for ten years. Dalgas wrote to the Copen- ' hagen newspapers that the heath could be re- i claimed, and suggested that it should be done by | the State. They laughed at him. 'Nothing better could have happened,' he said in after years, ' for it made us turn to the people them- selves, and that was the road to success, though we did not know it.' In the spring of 1866 a hundred men, little and big landowners most of them, met at his call, and organized the Heath Society, with the object of reclaiming the moor. Dalgas became its man- aging director . The Heath Society had in 1910, over nme- teen hundred plantations that cover nearly a hun- dred thousand acres, and the State and private in- dividuals, inspired by the example it set, have planted almost as large an area. The ghost of the heath has been laid for all time. The State aids the man who plants ten acres or more, and assumes the obligation to preserve the forest intact ; the Heath Society sells him plants at half price, and helps him with its advice. It disposes annually of over thirteen millions of young trees. The people do the rest and back the Society with their support. The Danish peasant has learned the value of co-operation since he turned dairy farmer, and associations for irriga- tion, for tree-planting, and garden-planting, are everywhere." Brush Disposal in the Adirondacks. TV T the Winnipeg meeting of the Canadian ^t^ Forestry Association Mr. Clyde Leavitt, ^ Forester for the Canadian Commission of Conservation, presented an interesting paper on the above subject. Top lopping and its effects have been much discussed, and some of his remarks will be of interest : '* Following the very severe fires of 1908, public sentiment became strongly aroused and demanded that some action be taken that should amount to a practical guarantee that there should be no recurrence of the repeated and terribly destructive fires that had laid waste such large areas in the Adirondacks in the past. * * Attention was concentrated upon the two principal sources of fire danger, the one active, the other passive. The active source was the railways, and, after a very thorough investigation, the public service commission issued an order requiring the railways affected to use oil instead of coal as fuel on locomotives operating in the daytime within the Adirondack Preserve during the fire season. This order has proved very effective, so far as railway fires are concerned, I though it is admitted that on account of the ' steadily increasing cost of .oil fuel and of its transportation from the point of production, the order places a considerable burden of additional expense upon the railway companies. <*The second source of fire danger was the presence on the ground of large quantities of highly inflammable debris in practically all places where lumbering operations had occurred. This consisted for the most part of spruce, fir and pine tops and branches. This condition rendered the situation exceedingly serious on account of the rapid development of small fires into big ones and the great difficulty of control. The presence each year of a large number of hunters, fishermen and other pleasure or health seekers rendered the existence of this vast amount of highly inflamma- ble material a much more serious matter than would have been the case under other and more ordinary circumstances. * * * Legislation was recommended, and in 1909 was enacted, requiring the cutting off or lopping, from the stem, 1 i * 1^? 110 FOREST LEAVES. of all limbs or branches of coniferous trees cut within the Adirondack Preserve. **It was recognized that the enforced disposal of brush from previous operations would entail a prohibitive cost upon land owners, and also that the disposal of hardwood brush was impracticable on account of the relatively low value of this class of stumpage. Also the disposal of hardwood brush was considered of much less importance from a fire protective point of view than of brush from the coniferous species — chiefly spruce, balsam and white pine. The piling and burning of brush, which has been proved thoroughly practicable in other parts of the country, notably in many of the national forests of the West, was considered im- practicable, partly on account of the high cost and partly on account of the strong probability of thereby increasing, instead of decreasing, the danger of burning up the adjacent forest. ''The theory of the law was that by lopping the tops a large proportion of the debris would be brought into contact with the ground and the rate of decay would thus be materially increased. Thus the period of extreme fire danger following cutting operations would be greatly lessened, while, with the passage of time, the debris from the older i operations would gradually decay and the situa- tion would gradually grow better instead of worse. '* The increased efficiency of other fire protec- tive measures, coupled with a succession of fairly favorable seasons, resulted in greatly reduced fire loss. I ''As a result of the objections to the law, public hearings were held in the fall of 191 2 by the Slate Conservation Commission. It was de- veloped at these hearings that a wide diversity of opinion exists as to the merits of the law and as to soundness of the fundamental theory upon which it is based. It was found also that while many operators are wholly opposed to the law, both in theory and practice, others defend it just as vigorously, while a third class exists of those who maintain that the law has not yet been in opera- tion for a sufficient length of time to demonstrate whether it should be continued, repealed or amended, and that a longer trial is necessary before any radical action adverse to the law is , justified. I "All conceivable objections to the law are advanced. It was argued that instead of top- lopping being an advantage, fires in lopped tops burn deeper, harder, and faster, and are harder to fight than fires in unlopped tops. It was stated also that lopping does not materially, if at all, increase the rate of decay of debris, and is there- fore ineffective as a fire preventive measure. Further, it was argued that the conditions result- ing from lopping are more unfavorable to young growth, both present and future, and to the remaining old forest, than where tops are not lopped and that the beneficial results, if any, are not commensurate with the cost to operators and land owners. " Conditions vary so widely that it is somewhat unsafe to make any definite statement as to the rapidity with which lopped and unlopped tops will decay. In a general way, however, it may be stated that in the spruce region of the Adirondacks tops properly lopped and on the ground will practically disappear by decay in from six to twelve years, while unlopped tops require from twelve to thirty years. Under similar conditions unlopped tops will require not less than twice as much time to decay as lopped tops, and it is probable that the ratio is more nearly three ta one, assuming a reasonable degree of efficiency in getting the lopped material on the ground. For a rough average, in the Adirondacks it may be estimated that decay of lopped tops on a pulp operation will be practically complete in seven years and the period of most extreme fire danger will be over in three years, due to the earlier dis- appearance of the leaves and fine branches and the absorption of moisture by the balance of the mate- rial, bringing about partial decay. In unlopped tops, possibly an average of eighteen years would be required for decay, while the period of extreme fire danger would extend through not less than half this period instead of being limited to about three years as in the case of lopped tops. In a lumbering operation, where saw logs are removed, the time required for decay in lopped tops may be averaged at eight years, and for unlopped tops at about twenty-five years. " Since the fire danger due to slash is in direct proportion to the amount of brush, the above conclusions may be stated in another way : In an ordinary lumbering operation, the lopping of tops will reduce the period of decay from twenty-five years to eight years on 75 per cent, to 85 per cent, of the debris, while the period of most extreme fire danger will be decreased from ten years to three years ; this statement assumes that the lower branches, comprising 15 to 20 percent, of the debris, would be lopped in any event as a part of the operation. In a pulpwood operation, lopping will reduce the period of decay from fifteen to seven years, on 10 per cent, to 25 per cent, of the debris, and the period of most extreme fire danger will be decreased from seven to three years. As before, these figures must be regarded as merely broad generalizations, subject to great variation on account of differences in local conditions, and ta revision following more exhaustive investigations. * ^ 36 FOREST LEAVES. Ill Results of Deforestation. /^UMMINGS township, which was one of the \£^ richest townships in Lycoming county during the old lumbering days, when its mountains and side-hills furnished thousands of dollars' worth of material which went to make up some of the many fortunes lumber produced, is now in a straitened financial condition. The township finds that it has only $43>ooo worth of property, other than unseated lands, which can be assessed for taxes. The tax levy has long been eight mills, and the supervisors have found that the revenue at this rate is only sufficient to maintain the roads of the district. The township bears a heavy debt, on which the interest is continually increasing. All of this makes a financial problem which the super- visors have been unable to solve. They have come into the county court and asked permission to lay additional tax of ten mills to secure revenue with which to pay off the old debt. The court has granted their request. Although the debt is borne by the township, it is more or less of a family obligation, as Cummings township is largely populated by representatives of fewer than a half- dozen families. — JVorf/i American. FOI(EpT LEi^VEp. o Yorh Times. " Unique, beautiful, and extremely useful. De- serves a place in the library of every tree-lover." — ITie IHal. "Nothing but praise for the work." —The Xation. " It is doubtful it any book placed before the public in recent years possesses the peculiar charm of this handbook." — St. J^ouia Lumberman. " The most ideal handbook I have ever seen, treatment and execution."— C. Hart Merr^iam. A model in Price, " A perfectly delightful book. A source of inspiration to every lover of trees.— «7oMrw<»t of Education,, " The most satisfactory volume I possess on the subject, out ot a total of some 250 books on this and kindred subjects." —Dean Alvord, New York LEAF KEY TO THE TREES. By Romeyn Beck Hough. A compact pocket-guide in flexible covers, convenient to carry in pocket or hand-bag when yon go afield 75 cents. Included with the HANDBOOK or AMERICAN WOODS without extra charge. AMERICAN WOODS. Illustrated by Actual Specimens. By Romeyn Beck Hough. The specimens of woods used in illustrating this work are in the form of thin sections showing transverse, radial and tangential views of the grain. These, when exammed in transmitted light, reveal dis- tinctive characters and points of interest that are a revelation. An accompanying text gives full information as to uses, properties, distri- butions, characters, etc. The work is issued in Parts, each covering 25 species. Price: $5, per Part in cloth binding; $7.50 in half- morocco. AMERICAN WOODS is of great interest and value to all who are interested in or desire to be able to recognize the various woods and learn about them. The strongest of testimonials to its value lies in the fact that its author has been awarded, by the Franklin lustisute of Philadelphia, the special Elliott Cresson Gold Aledal on account of its production. Monnts of Woods for the Microscope, showing transverse, radial, and tangential sctions under a single cover-glass. Invaluable in the study of wood-technology. Highly endorsed for laboratory study. We have recently supplied 1,500 to a single school. Mounts of Woods for Stereopticon and Stereopticon Views of Trees, their characteristic fresh leaves, flowers, fruits, barks, and branchlets. Invaluable for illustrating lectures and talks on trees. VOLUME OF AMERICAN WOODS DISPLAYED. Observe that the THREE SPECIMENS ILLUSTRATIVE OF A SPECIES ARE MOUNTED TOGETHER AND THAT THE ILLUSTRATIVE PAGES ARE SEPARABLE TO FACILITATE EXA- MINATION. Exhibits of our lines may be seen at the follomng addresses : Office of PA. FOBESTRY AS80CIATI0N, . PERMANENT EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT, 1012 Walnut St., PHILADELPHIA, PA. 70 6th Are., Cor. 18th St., NEW YORK. Office of FRANKLIN H. HOUOH, Esq., 900 F St. N. W., Suite 519-521, WASHINGTON, D. C. You are cordiqlly invited to call and inspect the one most convenient to you or to write for particulars and samples to ROMEYN B. HOUGH COMPANY, Box G, Lowvllle, N. Y. ^. £^tj. 'J m mm % O y ijU^-f- Ov- APRIL, 1916 >(Aj3j 3^ '^1^ [^ V/W^/ "-''3o^'^^^'='^1^ i^^^SMMMS i^ PUBLISHED BY THE WNSYiyANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION '^SffL.^ PHILADELPH I A . PA. ^ ' I "b 0 ^ 112 FOREST LEAVES. HANDBOOK OF TREES opened at Red Oak. Observe THAT TWO PAGES FACING EACH OTHER ARE DEVOTED TO A SPECIES. Lines IN background indicate square inches. HANDBOOK OF TREES of the Northern States and Canada. Photo-descriptive. By ttomeyn Beck Hough. Shows the fresh leaves, fruits, branchlets, and barks photographed to a scale with the vividness of reality. Distributions are in- dicated by individual maps and wood- structures by photo-micrographs. Other information in text. All species of the region are covered. Price : In buckram binding, $6 ; in half-morocco, $8, delivered. " With it one wholly unfamiliar with botany can easily identify the trees."— Melville l>ewey. I*resH Vt, Library Ass*n. "Indispensable for all students of trees." — Hotanicnl Gazette. " Extraordinarily thorough and attractive. Its illustrations almost carry the scent and touch of the original."— AVi«f York Times. " Unique, beautiful, and extremely useful. De- serves a place in the library of every tree-lover." — 17te I>ial. "Nothing but praise for the work." —The Nation. " It is doubtful it any book placed before the public in recent years possesses the peculiar charm of this handbook." — St. Ijonis Luntbemian. "The most ideal handbook I have ever seen. A model in treatment and execution."— C Hart Merriatn. Price, " A perfectly delightful book. A source of inspiration to every lover of irees.—tTournal of Edaeation. " The most satisfactory volume I possess on the subject, out ot a total of some 250 book's on this and kindred subjects." —Dean Alvord, New York LEAF KEY TO THE TREES. By Komeyn Beck Hongh. A compact pocket-guide in flexible covers, convenient to carry in pocket or hand-bag when yon go afield 75 cents. Included with the HANDBOOK or AMERICAN WOODS without extra charge. AMERICAN WOODS. Illnstrated by Actual Specimens. By Bonieyn Beck Hongh. The specimens of woods used in illustrating this work are in the form of thin sections showing transverse, radial and tangential views of the grain. These, when examined in transmitted light, reveal dis- tinctive characters and points of interest that are a revelation. An accompanying text gives full information as to uses, properties, distri- butions, characters, etc. The work is issued in Parts, each covering 25 species. Price: $5, per Part in cloth binding; $7.50 in half- morocco. AMERICAN WOODS is of great interest and value to all who are interested in or desire to be able to recognize the various woods and learn about them. The strongest of testimonials to its value lies in the fact that its author has been awarded, by the Franklin Instisute of Philadelphia, the special Elliott Q^esson Gold Medal on account of its production. Mounts of Woods for the Microscope, showing transverse, radial, and tangential sctions under a single cover-glass. Invaluable in the study of wood-technology. Highly endorsed for laboratory study. We have recently supplied 1,500 to a single school. Mounts of Woods for Stereopticon and Storoopticon Views of Trees, their characteristic fresh leaves, flowers, fruits, barks, and branchlets. Invaluable for illustrating lectures and talks on trees. Exhibits of our lines may he seen at the following addre.'^ses: Office of PA. FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, PERMANENT EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT, 1012 Walnut St., PHILADELPHIA, PA. 70 6th Ave, (or. ISth St., NEW YORK. Office of FRANKLIN H. HOKiH, Esq., IMM) F St. N. W., Suite 519-521, WASHIN(iTON, D. C. You arecordiqlly invited to call and inspect the one most convenient to you or to uritefor particulars and samples to ROMEYN B. HOUGH COMPANY, Box G, l^owville, N. Y. A VOLUME OF AMERICAN WOODS DISPLAYED. Observe that the THREE SPECIMENS ILLUSTRATIVE OF A SPECIES ARE MOUNTED TOGETHER AND THAT THE ILLUSTRATIVE PAGES ARE SEPARABLE TO FACILITATE EXA- MINATION. INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE }t^i' FORBST LKAVES Published Bi-Monthly. SUBSCRIPTION, one: DOI^I^AR PER YEAR. The attention of Nurserymen and others is called to the advantages of FOREST LEAVES as an advertising medium. Rates will be furnished on application. CONTENTS ; paoe Mid-Summer Out Meeting of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association 113 Arbor Day Proclamation ^^4 The Flora of Surinam ^^5 The Winter Birds "7 The State Forest Academy ^^9 Costly Indifference ^^^ Silviculture for Pennsylvania 122 New Publications ^27 THE PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, Founded in June 1886, Labors to disseminate information in regard to the necessity and methods of forest culture and preservation, and to secure the enactment and enforcement of proper forest protective laws, both State and National. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE, TWO DOLLARS. LIFE MEMBERSHIP, TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS. Neither the membership nor the work of this Association is intended to be limited to the State of Pennsylvania. Persons desiring to become members should send their names to the Chairman of the Membership Committee, 1012 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. President, Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock. Vice-Presidents, Robert S. Conklin, Wm. S. Harvev, Albert Lewis, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, Samuel L. Smedley General Secretary, Samuel Marshall. Recording Secretary, F. L. Bitler, Treasurer, Charles E. Pancoast. Joshua L. Baily, Eckley B. Coxe, Jr., Wm. S. Harvey, Hon. Marshall Brown, Geo. F. Craig, COMMITTEES OF THE PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION: FINANCE— Dr. Henry M. Fisher, Chairman ; Walton Clark, Hon. Robert S. Conklin, Mrs. Brinton Coxe, Dr. Henry M. Fisher, O. C. Hlllard, Henry Howson, Jos. Johnson, Albert Lewis, LAW — Dr. Henry S. Drinker, Chairman ; Hon. Lucien W. Doty, W. W. Montgomery, MEMBERSHIP— Albert B. Weimer, Chairman; Chas. E. Pancoast, J. Rodman Paul, H. W. Shoemaker. Irvin C. Williams. Samuel Marshall, Samuel L. Smedley, Solan L. Parkes, L. A. Watres, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, John H. Webster, Jr., H. W. Shoemaker, N. P. Wheeler, Mrs. Alexander Van Rensselaer, Dr. W. P. Wilson. F. L. Bitler, Egbert S. Cary, PUBLICATION-Dr. J. T. Rothrock, Chairman ; Mrs. David Reeves, Miss Mary K. Gibson, S. B. Elliott, Jos. S. lllick, WORK — Mrs. Brinton Coxe, Chairman ; Miss Ethel A. Shrigley, J. Franklin Meehan, Harrison Souder. E. E. Wildman. FOREST IvBAVBS Published Bi-Monthly. Entered at the Philadelphia Post-Office as second-class matter. VoL XV.— No. 8 PHILADELPHIA, APRIL, 1916 Whole Number 172 OFFICE OF THE ASSOCIATION, 1012 WALNUT 8TBRET, PHILADELPHIA. Mid-Summer Out Meeting of the Penn- sylvania Forestry Association. THE summer meeting of the Association will be held this year at Reading, to which place it goes on invitation of the Berks County Con,servation Association. The meeting will convene on Tuesday, June 27th, and will extend over a period of four days. The program is being arranged at present and the time alloted to the meetings will be covered completely. All allied Pennsylvania Associations having to do collaterally with forestry are invited to be present and participate in the sessions. Papers will be presented by representative members of the associations. The forestry interests of the states east of the Mississippi are invited to unite with us in this meeting for the purpose of having a general inter- change of ideas respecting forest conditions in the eastern part of the United States. It is believed that representatives will be present either from forestry associations or State forestry departments of all the above states wherein such interests are represented. It is expected that addresses will be made by representatives of the New England asso- ciations, the forestry interests of the Lake states, and the southwestern Appalachian region. The Pennsylvania Department of Forestry will be rep- resented on the program by several of its foresters who propose to discuss live issues. It is promised that the President of the American Forestry Asso- ciation will be present, and it is hoped that repre- sentatives will be in attendance from the Pennsyl- vania Audubon Society and the National Audubon Society. . . . A series of interesting and instructive trips by trolley car and automobile, is being arranged. The rather unusual forest plantations of Messrs. Nolde and Horst, south of Reading, will be seen. A trip to the Reading mountaitis, through the Park System, and to the local forest nursery and watershed plantations, will be made. Possibly the most attractive outing, next aftei: a visit to the Nolde and Horst plantations, will be the run over the Ontelaunee Trail, which is fixed for Friday, June 30th. This will take the members and their friends through one of the most interest- ing portions of Berks county, and many points of interest will be visited. It is hoped that the members of the Pennsyl- vania Forestry Association will make this a record meeting. We look for an attendance far beyond anything which our recent meetings have received. The members owe this to their association as well as to their friends in Reading who have been kirid enough to tender this invitation, and who will provide for the entertainment of the visitors. The headquarters of the Association during the meetings will be at the Berkshire Hotel, located on Fifth Street, north of Penn. The afternoon and evening meetings for the presentation of addresses will be held in the auditorium of the Berkshire. The officers of the Association are cooperating with the special committee appointed to make the necessary arrangements, and they state emphatic- ally to the members that the Reading meeting de- serves all the support they may be able to give it. I. C. W. DANIEL CARTER BEARD, otherwise known to the ^'red-blooded" boys of the country as '' Dan Beard," founder of the Sons of Daniel Boone, and head and founder of The Boy Scouts of America, will open this year in Pike County, Pennsylvania, an Outdoor Scout School, for boys who want to grow up into strong resourceful men. '' Dan Beard" needs no introduction. He is known from end to end of the United States and loved wherever known. We are sure that no lad who imbibes his instruction will ever start a forest fire and leave it to work destruction. This, along with the general interest these fortunate boys will acquire in forestry, we count as great gains to our cause. J. T. R. About one-seventh of the area of Pennsylvania is desolated, either through forest fires, neglect or improper care. This land should all be placed in trees, removing a menace to the State and in- creasing its value to the coming generations. 11 ( ^ 6 114 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 7>t 115 Arbor Day Proclamation. WHEREAS, Pennsylvania was originally so splendidly covered with beautiful trees as to be worthy of its name — Penn's Woods — and has in recent years taken an advanced place among the States in the conservation of her natural resources and has among other wise acts set aside above one million acres as State forest lands, and is steadily adding to this vast estate and is giving to reforestation and conservation increasing attention ; Now, THEREFORE, in Order to promote a knowledge and love of trees in the minds and hearts of our people, and in order to teach our children the meaning and blessings of forests to the Commonwealth, I hereby designate Friday, April 14, and Friday, April 28, 19 16, AS Arbor Days. It is a fact of history that trees have had much to do with the welfare and destiny of peoples. Once Pennsylvania was gloriously enfolded by trees. Her forests were her glory. The develop- ment of our industries carried these great forests, alas, too rapidly, to our mills and markets. We were so rich we were prodigal. Today we are going over these lands, purchasing many tracts for the use and enjoyment of our people and facing bravely the task of replanting and restoring them. We are endeavoring to give a more valuable, a more beautiful, a more healthful Pennsylvania to the children of tomorrow than we now possess. This marked movement to the country for re- creation and for health may well be enlarged to include a movement to the country for residence. We must not allow the great cities to depopulate the rural districts. Trees are anchors to hold us to the country. 'J hey are always beckoning welcome and proffering rich gifts of service. To know trees, to live with them, to understand their utility and their mystery, to know how they grow and what they do for people, to appreciate their all-the-year meaning and message, — all these are matters of the greatest importance. We have placed upon the tree, in song and poetry, all the emotions and attributes of the spirit, and the tree justifies this human kinship. Our people cannot be too much in the out-of-doors, with the trees and the greatly helpful agencies that with them make for good citizens. They are companions of pure air, fresh water, wholesome rest, beautiful flowers, coveted retreats. In fact, without the trees we lose these necessary gifts of help. To add to the forests of the Commonwealth is both wise and necessary if we are to conserve in a large way our health and happiness. Let us recall, too, that the nests of our birds are in our trees. That here our songters are at home. That a birdless state is the necessary outcome of a treeless state. We want the birds. They be- long to childhood even more than to maturity. To know their mission and to appreciate their presence is one of the necessary services of Arbor Day. I ask that we make clear on this day that the ministry of birds is of great moment to a people. From this study we may properly and readily pass to the large service of impressing the duty of humanely treating all harmless living things. Our highways should be lined with food-bearing trees. These can be so planted and pruned as to cause no loss to the permanency of the road. The economic and artistic value is evident to all. I wish, as I did a year ago, to urge this upon our people, and moreover, see that the crops from these trees are sold and the income used further to beautify and improve the highways. Our school grounds should all have trees planted upon them and the children taught to care for them. Our public parks, always a source of blessing, our State lands, as well as our many private preserves and parks should have an abundant supply of trees. The trees, indigenous to our State, should always have preference in these beauty spots, set aside for our well-being and pleasure. It is of such moment rightly to observe this day that I urge its observance with fitting exercises in all our schools, and request that parents in their homes and ministers in the pulpit lend support to the cause and help set in the minds of our people the meaning, value, and blessings of the right ob- servance of a day set aside primarily to cause all of us to renew in our hearts a love for our State, its forests, its homes, its schools, its recreational provisions and especially for the love and care and knowledge of trees. Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State, at the city of Harrisburg, this twenty- third day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and sixteen and of the Commonwealth the one hundred and fortieth. Martin G. Brumkaugh. By the Governor : Cyrus E. Woods, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Over 20,000 tons of wood-flour are used annu- ally in the United States in the manufacture of dynamite and linoleum. Smaller amounts are utilized for composition flooring, oatmeal paper^ and other industries. [seal] The Flora of Surinam. THE characteristics of the vegetation of Suri- nam are height and size. The trees are tall, the leaves broad, and the flowers im- mense. Almost every plant is a giant of its kind, and seems aiming to grow larger and outstrip its neighbor. The forest trees are endeavoring to overtop each other to obtain a greater share of the sunlight, which is so plentiful and yet too little for each tree. Tall and straight, but not too large in circumference, as the great pines in California, or the gum trees of Australia,, the mora and green- heart of Surinam are grand representatives of hundreds of species that inhabit the forest. Unlike the woods of temperate climates, the forest is made up of a variety of kinds, hardly two of the same species coming together, their branches interlacing so far above the ground that it is hard to tell those belonging to one tree from another. Having great height, with slender stems in proportion, the trees have acquired the habit of strengthening them- selves by buttresses, which sometimes extend, for twenty feet beyond the base of the trunk. Between these living walls a party may camp, and, with the aid of a few palm leaves for a roof, make a conve- nient temporary lodging. There is no difficulty in procuring suitable leaves, as those of the troolie palm are about twelve feet long and are suitable for this purpose, while heliconias, ravenalas, and marantas, have foliage equally well fitted, although not so large. The arum family is well represented, and its members are also conspicuous for their foliage. Some climb to the tops of the highest trees, festooning them with immense heart or arrow-shaped leaves, while the tree-like montri- chardia grows on the banks of the rivers and forms impenetrable thickets twenty feet high. The grandure of the forest shades is mixed with an awful solemnity, as if in the aisles of some im- mense cathedral. The sunlight does not penetrate, but there is a dim half-light throught which an endless array of dark pillars extend as far as the eye can reach. Crowded together as close as na- ture will allow, each tree takes advantage of the other and elbows its way up a little higher. Then come the bush ropes, which hang in festoons from the topmost branches, some in a confused assem- blage of great cables, others like miniature stair- cases for the convenience of the monkeys, and a third class like giant pythons. Below these there is nothing but bare stems, but far above, the leaves and flowers of the bushropes open to the sunlight and help to smother the tree which has enabled them to reach this altitude. From the ground, nothing but a confused mass of foliage is seen, from which drop withered flowers and fruits, the latter scattering their seeds in every direction as they fall. The continuity of the forest is not broken by the narrow rivulets or creeks, which flow through arcades or tunnels of vegetation, their dark waters looking quite black in the half light. Here and there, however, where a tree has fallen, the light penetrates, and a few smaller plants grow on the banks, or perhaps a he'd of cabomba or water- lilies cover the surface. The great rivers are fringed by banks of vegeta- tion which slope down into the water, and are overhung by festoons of bignonias, allamandas, convolvuli, and a great variety of other creepers. N Allamanda Cathartica. The forest giants come as close to the banks as they dare, but the oozy shore is the home of a dense jungle of prickly shrubs, marantas and mon- trichardias, which extend into the water, and are waved backwards and forwards in the current as if alive. Where streams flow through wet savannahs or marshes they are choked with vegetation. White water-lilies grow here to perfection, their flowers II i! V ,%■ 116 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 117 opening at night and reflecting the moonlight like fallen stars. Some of these savannahs are covered with razor grass — scleria — rendering them almost impenetrable, as it grows to a height of six or eight feet, and the leaves are edged with fine, saw-like teeth which draw blood from the face and hands at the least attempt to push through them. In some places, however, where a soil of almost pure pipe-clay refuses to admit of other growth, there is an expanse of fine sedges which gives the savan- nah the appearance of an English meadow or park. With clumps of eta palms here and there, wavy lines of bushes at the edge of the forest, and the dark creek meandering through, the barren savan- nah, is one of the prettiest sights in the colony. Unfortunately it is not easy to walk upon, as in the wet season it is covered with water, and whether wet or dry is so uneven as to be most tiring. This is characteristic of all the savannahs. The sedges grow in tufts, each raised a foot or so above its surroundings, so that the pedestrian is continually slipping into the hollows. But to the botanist the savannah is a paradise. He finds here myriads of interesting and beautiful plants, including various species of utricularia, ground orchids, droseras, and those curious plants, the burmannias. But far exceeding in interest these savannahs near the coast, are the open places in the mountain region, which the brothers Schom- burgh called the *^ botanical El Dorado." Here, below the cliffs of the Blue Mountains, among foaming rivulets running through banks of ferns and mosses, grow some of the most beautiful plants in the world. Magnificent sohralias — orchids with large flowers on bamboo-like stems — grow in thickets, while scattered around in profusion are selenipediums, Utricularia Hiimhohiii ^ that rare and curious pitcher-plant, Heliamphora nitfan?,, Cleistes rosea ^ and a hundred other flowering shrubs and orchids. Dr. Richard Schomburgh, in ** Botanical Reminiscences in Guiana," said his eyes were dazzled by the splendor of the fresh green and the brilliantly colored flowers of the herbaceous plants on this plain, while the air was impregnated with delightful perfume. He fancied himself in a magic garden, such a display of colors, and variety on so small a scale, having been hith- erto unknown to him. There were so manv new objects that it was impossible to give attention to one plant for even a single minute. All the trouble necessary to reach this ** El Dorado " was forgot- ten, and even the future with its fears, yielded to the overhappy present. The princes of the vegetable kingdom, the palms, are well represented in the forest. They vary in size, from the little dahalil)ana geotioma^ which is never larger and hardly taller than a walking-stick, to the graceful manicole — euterpe edulis — , which raises its head above the topmost trees. Some species have clean and smooth stems, while others provide congenial habitats for ferns, mosses, and orchids in the bases of the old leaf- stalks. The eta is one of the most striking, as it stands out boldly in the midst of the savannnahs or fringes the borders of the swamps, its fan- shaped leaves waving to the breeze above a crowd of epiphytes which occupy their base. Throughout the cultivated districts the cocoanut and royal palms are scattered everywhere, the latter (called ** cabbage palms" in the colony) forming noble avenues in several places. Above every other of its family it stands straight and pillar-like, and for this reason a pair is often planted at the entrance of a gateway, or a line in front of a house lot ; these and the cocoanuts giving to Paramaribo — the capital of Surinam — the appearance of a city of palms. The orchids, those curious, singular and beauti- ful productions of nature, are found in profusion everywhere beyond the cultivated districts. Most of the species are epiphytical, growing on the branches of trees or in the bases of the palm leaves, but some are found on the sand reefs, others in the savannahs, while a few of the most showy flourish on rocks in the mountain region. They range in size from an inch in height to enormous masses several feet through, with flower stems several feet high. About two hundred and fifty species have been enumerated as native to the colony of Suri- nam. Perhaps the most wonderful of all is the CoryantJies macrantha, with cut-like flowers five inches across, and shaped in such a way as to attract a particular kind of bee to perform the necessary act of cross fertilization. Every part of the plant combines to carry out this object, and to prevent any interference on the part of crawling insects, a garrison of carnivorous ants is housed in the oval roots. Other curious and wonderful orchids are also found, among them being species of the genus Catasetum^ the contrivances of which for cross- fertilization are so well described by Darwin. I Ferns and selaginellas are also very plentiful everywhere on the banks of the creeks, the prickly tree-ferns, with their immense fronds, standing in clumps, illustrating beauty and delicacy of form as compared with their large leaved neighbors, The trunks of trees overhanging the water are often decorated with a number of species, com- mencing with delicate filmy ferns near the base, , followed up the trunk by a great number of creep- ing polypodiums and tops of stiff" or pendulous acrostichums, while the upper forks are decorated with the beautiful chrysodium. Selaginellas some- ■ times carpet the ground with their delicate moss- like foliage, while their neighbors, the lycopo- diums, grow on the edges of the savannahs and form almost impentrable thickets like miniature larch forests, about four to six feet high. Mosses are also plentiful. Beds of polytrichum cover the sand reefs in many places, while white lichens alternate with these and, with a number of small flowering plants, prevent these barren places from becoming uninteresting. Fungi grow everywhere on the fallen trees and in the debris, varying in texture from the hard, woody families to those pretty, jelly-like frondose kinds, which are often beautifully colored. T. B. Percival. The Winter Birds. << rrrO the nature lover birds are a living calen- I dar. ' ' This assertion of one of the best ^ American ornithologists has been verified by every careful lover of nature. The season of short days, cold, ice, and snow, is always evi- denced by a particular bird population. Doubtless there are those who think the winter birds are so few as to be hardly worthy of mention. It is true that in number of species and individ- uals the birds of the Middle Atlantic and New \ England States are much fewer than at other I seasons ; it is also true that winter brings us some species which are not with us during the warmer months. Then, too, there are other reasons why the winter off'ers advantages for studying birds which have induced ornithologists to advocate that beginners start their bird study in the winter. The winter birds, because of the absence of foliage are much more readily seen. When the ground is covered with snow, and vegetation with a coating of ice, the demand for food among the seed-eating birds of winter, is so great that they lose their customary shyness and come boldly to our very doors. The habit of recent years of erecting bird shelters and putting out food for them, has been the means bringing about a much more intimate knowledge of the winter species. In general it may be said that our winter resi- dents are made up of two classes : the permanent residents— those which do not migrate at the ap- proach of the colder months, and those that breed north of us and migrate to our locality, thus be- coming our winter residents. In the first men- tioned clasrare several of the game birds, such as the well known **Bob White" and the Ruff^ed Grouse, a number of the Hawks and Owls, several Woodpeckers, the Crows, Blue Jays, Starhngs, Meadowlarks, Song Sparrows, English Sparrows, the American Gold Finch, Purple Finch, Cardi- nal, Cedar Waxwing, Carolina Wren, Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White -breasted Nuthatch, and Bluebird. Some winters this list will be aug- mented by some of our regular summer residents which usually migrate, remaining through the year, such as : Grackles-black birds — Robins, Flickers, and occasionally other summer residents will remain over in considerable numbers. Along the seashore, or on other considerable bodies of water, ducks of several species, and Gulls are to be found as winter residents, as are some additional species of Owls, Hawks, Horned Larks, and the Prairie Horned Lark. Among the birds summering in the far north that we may look for with reasonable certainty to become winter resi- dents with us, is : Slate-colored Junco or Snow Bird. Although this bird is classed as a winter resident, he is always with us for seven months of the year, coming in September and remaining until about the first of May. The slategray of the head, I back and throat, white parts below the middle of the throat, and the white outside tail feathers should serve to distinguish this bird without diffi- culty. In size he is about the length of the Eng- lish Sparrow, although more slender, and showing better kept plumage. His sprightly movements, metallic twitter and jingling song, betoken a never-failing good cheer and courage that is always welcome in the winter, and serves as a tonic when heard, as it so often is, during a snow- storm. A very constant companion of the Junco and one coming from the north soon after he arrives, is the Tree Sparrow, sometimes known as the '' Winter Chippy." It may be distinguished from other winter Sparrows by its unstreaked breast, white wing bars and pretty chestnut crown. An indistinct spot in the middle of the breast is always visible when the bird is facing you. Its cheery and sweet <*teel-wit" is frequently uttered, and upon a warm winter's day, or toward spring, a sweet twittering song having something of the quality of the canary bird, but not so loud, may be heard. Frank Chapman says: ^* They feed upon the seeds of weeds and grasses, and even ' when the snow is deepest always find an abundance i of food. I like to see them feeding on the weed- stalks above the crust and to hear their chorus of merry tinkling notes like sparkling frost crystals , turned to music." I There are few sweeter sounds or sights on a bright winter day than a flock of Juncos and Tree i Sparrows scattered over the weed-stalks and sing- ing as they garner their food. I have often tarried ; at sundown near a clump of alders to listen to the soft little calls and good night lullabies that the Tree Sparrows utter just before they settle down to y\^ 118 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. J// 119 their night's rest. 1 never experience this exqui- site pleasure without regretting that it does not more frequently reach other human ears. The presence of these frequently associated spe- cies almost inevitably leads the bird lover to look for other northern birds which habitually associate with them. A few sharp, high-pitched notes, uttered in quick succession calls attention to a restless group of tiny feathered creatures which seem to be the very personification of perpetual motion as they flit and dart among the twigs of trees and bushes in search of insect larvae. To one unfamiliar with these birds there is a feeling experienced which usually finds expression in some such phrase as : Why don't they hold still (or just a minute so we can get a look at them. Their restlessness is in a measure compensated for by the discovery that they do not in the least object to your presence and fearlessly approach very close to you if there is tempting food in the proximity. A close inspection of these restless feathered atoms will reveal the fact that they are grayish above with a delicate tinge of green, and as they hang for a moment on the under side of a twig in one of their favorite positions you may note an orange crown margined with black, covering the top of the head. In the well-plumaged male this is quite bright, but the immature and young birds have only a dull yellow crown edged with black. A white line over the eye ; under parts dull whitish, and well defined whitish wing bars will reveal its identity. This, the little Golden crowned Kinglet, comes very near being our smallest winter bird, and is only excelled in minuteness by the little Winter Wren of which we shall speak later. His restless energy, well kept appearance, and utter disregard for weather conditions, mark him as an unusual bird. He takes his departure for the north in April, although sometimes tarrying until May. His presence will often reveal another small brown bird which arrives about the same time and like- wise takes his de])arture with the Kinglets and Juncos. The Brown Creeper is most appropriately named as he is a most decided brown in color and spends practically all his time creeping up the tree trunks. Your attention will often be called to this buff-colored and inconspicuous visitor by a thin, high-pitched note, quite resembling that of the Kinglet just mentioned, but when heard nearby it will be noticed that it has a decided tremolo and more continuous sound, not being broken is a up into groups of three or four quick notes like the Kinglet's. When you discover his wherea- bouts you will find him clinging closely to a tree trunk with his tail closely applied to the bark of the tree, sitting on his tail, as it were. This atti- tude is greatly facilitated by the sharp points which terminate his tail feathers. He usually alights on the tree trunk near the ground and proceeds to hitch jerkily up the tree in a spiral course. After ascending the tree for some distance he will fly with a downward course to a nearby tree and re- peat the performance. The Brown Creeper's bill is slender, rather long and slightly curved, thus admirably adapting it for removing small larvae and insects from the crevices and under the edges of the bark. It not unfrequentl^ happens that the Juncos, Tree Sparrows, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and the Brown Creepers will be found travelling together in loose bands, each apparently tending to its own needs, but nevertheless keeping in rather close company as they search for their food. Upon such occasions they may be associated with one of our smaller permanent residents, the Chickadee, or Black-capped Titmouse. They are most fitting companions for this jovial and valorous group as they too, seem to take no consideration of the weather and sound their merry *' chickadee," ^* chickadee," *' chick-a-dee dee," with total dis- regard of the temperature and atmospheric con- ditions. Be assured that this is an assemblage well worthy of your closest attention and most ardent admiration. The poet, the painter, the philoso- pher, the practical conversationist or the plain nature lover, may lavish his talents and aff'ections upon these courageous and indispensable creatures. The good which they do and the happiness they are capable of imparting is almost beyond compu- tation. If now we add to this interesting list two more of our very useful permanent residents of slightly larger size, we will have enumerated a typical list of our smaller winter birds. The Downy Woodpecker, and the White- breasted Nuthatch are two birds which a winter's day walk will hardly fail to reveal. Both of these belong to the climbing or tree trunk group. The black and white plumage of the Downy, and the I scarlet patch on the nape are so familiar as to 1 hardly need mention. When this bird is noticed at his typical wood pecking habits there is slight i danger of his being mistaken for any other bird than his near relative the Hairy Woodpecker. This bird is almost three inches longer than the Downy, reaching a length of about nine and a half inches. He IS, however, generally much less frequent throughout the Middle Atlantic and New England States than the Downy. It may be well to call I attention to the fact that the female of these and I most other Woodpeckers lack the scarlet nape. The White-breasted Nuthatch is a smaller and more slender bird than his common travelling companion the Downy. His slender, straight bill is more pointed and not adapted to fashioning his home in the trunks and limbs, as is the Downy's. Although he is pre-eminently a tree trunk bird, he gleans his food from the outside of the tree after the fashion of the Kinglets and Chickadees, rather than excavating it as do the true Wood- peckers. His crown and front part of back is black ; the rest of the upper parts grayish-blue. The under parts are white, except the under part of the tail which is reddish-brown. His common habit of walking head downward on the trunk and limbs of the tree, and standing in this position to observe an intruder, and his harsh, nasal, *'quank," '^quank," make identification easy. Let us now add to this group of small winter birds the smallest one, namely : the Winter Wren. These cinnamon-buff and indistinctly barred birds are not in reality much, if any, shorter than the tiny Golden-crowned Kinglets, but their habit of keeping their short tail pointing directly upward gives them the appearance of being distinctly shorter. This wren, like its relative the well known house wren, is rather solitary in its habits, generally not more than one pair of them being seen. If you are fortunate you may be privileged to hear the wonderful song of the Winter Wren as I have been favored a few times, and by especial good fortune several times this winter. Florence Merriam Bailey, in describing the song, says: **Full of trills, runs, and grace notes, it was a twinkling, rippling roundelay. It made me think of the song of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, the volume and ringing quality of both being startling from birds of this size. But while the Kinglet's may be less hampered by considerations of tune, the' Wren's song has a more appealing human character. It is like the bird himself. The dark swamps are made glad by the joyous, wonderful song." For years I was never fortunate enough to hear anything but its harsh scold notes. In my experience it rarely sings in its winter home. It would not be proper to mention our small winter friends without naming the American Gold Finch, one of the most interesting of the group, but the limits of the paper will not permit any description of its interesting features further than to say that it is one of the seed eaters that com- monly associates with those already mentioned, its ^* per chic o-ree," ** per chic-o-ree " flight call, and the sweet canary-like resting call, are familiar to all bird lovers. A sight of the large Red-tailed Hawk, and the nearly equally large Red shouldered Hawk relative is quite common, as is also the handsome Sparrow Hawk, the smallest of this family. In some sheltered field you may find a small flock of Meadowlarks. The harsh call of the Blue Jay and tattoo of the Flicker are often blended with the everpresent raucous call of the Crow. The sight of a flock of the beautiful Cedar Wax- wings feeding on frozen apples or some of the winter berries is one not often forgotten by the bird lover. The past winter has been made notable by many such instances. If you wish to know how many birds may be found upon a midwinter's day, make a '* Christmas Bird Census." This custom has become quite general with the ornithologists throughout the country. For sixteen years the leading popular bird magazine of this country : Bird Lore, has published the result of the annual Christmas Bird Census reported from all parts of the country. It will be noted that these vary from some four spe- cies and a dozen individuals to one hundred and two species and over twelve thousand individuals. The latter being, of course, in the southwest. To those who have never indulged in the fasci- nating study of winter birds I would commend this wholesome pastime, it will open up a new and instructive field and cultivate respect and admira- tion for those feathered creatures who have learned the art of sustaining life and enjoying the winter pleasures in the open. C. E. Ehinger, M.D. The State Forest Academy. PURING the last year the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy on the Mont Alto State Forest, has been visited by a considerable proportion of the Foresters in the Eastern United States, including some members of the Federal Forest Service. Invariably the comment has been flattering— ** More closely approaching the Ger- man Forest than any other I have seen in the U. S.;" **The forest plantations are much larger and further developed than I had any idea of, are adequate permanent records being kept;" *'A very impressive point in this forest is the rela- tive absence of fire-scarred trees ;" ** The forest roads harmonize well with the forest structure ;" <* I expected to find desolate forest areas, but I find thrifty and sanitary young forests;" *^We cer- tainly had no idea of the forest development you have here." A number of requests for photo- graphs and lantern slides of successful phases of forest development have been received at the school from these pleased visitors. These and many other encouraging comments now confirm the early conviction that the best place for a forest school is on a good sized forest where theory and laboratory teaching may be worked out ma prac- tical, commercial way at first hand. At this time ^ \ V 120 FOREST LEAVES. the educational world is being urged on all sides to link up theoretical and practical training — from the manual and vocational training in the high schools to the shop -work in engineering, the do- mestic science in women's colleges, and the hos- pital attached to the University Medical School. The Agricultural Colleges are now requiring a I certain number of months of work on an accredited farm each year from their students. The value of this principle in forestry education was so unmis- takable that the Pennsylvania State Forest Acad- emy thirteen years ago was built squarely on it. The forty- eight-week school year here includes 14 weeks of practical forest work. | Looking back to the beginning of this school, when the State was acquiring large areas of ne- \ glected forest lands, and trained men to improve them became imperative, the line of least resist- ance lead to a thorough but unsuccessful canvass of established State institutions to take up the forestal training of these men. Whether from the erroneous belief that * ' forestry is a fad ' ' or from the conviction that a successful forest school should be located more favorably (/. e. on a forest), each institution rejected the work. This seems almost providential in view of the present demand of the educational world for more practice in a given course of training. The development of a model forest by a forest school is just as essential as the ^* model school " in the teachers' Normal Schools of this State. Learning to teach in a model school is more effective than from ** School Management " and ** Methods of Teach- ing " texts only. Learning the physician's art in an adequate hospital is now an absolute neces- sity, in addition to the accompanying theory and laboratory training. So the forest is the final and best * * laboratory ' ' for the forester. The Mont Alto State Forest consists of about 23,000 acres of forest land in an advanced state of development, in which the school has had the lead- ing part (the forester in charge is a graduate of the school). This forest now produces an annual income of about §3,000 or about yj, of its cost of operation. Remembering that none of the large areas of magnificent young forest are yet ripe for final cutting, and that this income is received from mainly improvement operations, it is easy to see that as soon as the main forest crop begins to ripen and final cuttings begin, this forest will pro- duce an excellent net income. Besides the direct financial returns, the forest student sees the immeasurable public benefit of the forest to health in the large State Tuberculosis Sanatorium on the Mont Alto State Forest ; also in the pure water supplies for the towns of Waynes- boro and Mont Alto coming from this forest ; also the value for recreation in the popular ** picnic " and outing spots scattered over it ; also the value of the forest in the propagation of game, and the sport of hunting is emphasized in the game pre- serve located in the heart of this mountainous forest. Game is multiplying without precedent. The School of course does not neglect the foun- dational training There is a liberal grounding in cultural and scientific subjects, such as English, German, Economics, Business Law and Bookkeep- ing, Trigonometry, Physics, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Soils, Surveying, etc., with excellent laboratory facilities. To these are added the forestry subjects of Dendrology, Wood Technology, Forest Protection, Forest Utilization, Forest Manage- ment, Silviculture, Forest Finance, Forest Mensu- ration, Forest History, Forest Entomology and Pathology, Forest Economics and Policy. And finally the practical forest work in forest and nursery, including the growing of seedling trees on a large scale for forest planting, the plant- ing of these trees on denuded forest land, improv- ing the present forest by cutting out undesirable material, logging and milling, fire-fighting, road building, timber estimating, telephone construc- tion and forest mapping. All the instructors are trained men who have specialized and pursued graduate courses in the United States or abroad. The classes are small and instruction reaches the individual in every case. Each student carries from 25 to 29 hours per week, and must make a grade of 75 to pass in any branch. The expense to the State of maintaining the school is comparatively small. The cost per student compares very favorably with any other similar grade school. The students return forest labor for their education, both at the school and later in the State service. If the State were to secure equally trained men from other schools, they would be required to compete with other employers of for- esters, as the Federal Forest Service, and meet their higher salaries or be content with the residue after the higher paid positions are filled. It is clear that in the long period required in the develop- ment of the denuded forest lands, the state dare pay only modest salaries. Attachment to the State Service, formed at the Service school, does much to retain the highest grade of men, although it is inevitable that some will be lost by superior in- ducement elsewhere. As the State increases its forest holdings to two million acres, and finally to five million or more as may become imperative, it is evident that the Forest Academy graduates — about ten men an- nually— will be required to build up the trained force to 200 men and then maintain it at about i I KoREsT Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 8. % * . '^ A 00 6 > i > I & FIRE TOWER JUST COMPLETED ON MONT ALTO FOREST, WITH AID OF FOREST ACADEMY STUDENTS. S o < O uj < I I- »- CO UJ a: O u. u. O ^ cr O I lij a ill CO CO < Q. CO < X UJ o o z I — UJ -J < i CO z z UJ < . I z I- UJ D . I O H l_ UJ < CO UJ . . u l" > Q UJ X z •- — < CO y- y. (3 I- CO Z UJ - 0 o ^- z < o :£< CO 3 Z UJ 2 C q: * 1 CO Q H I- z ^ z < O UJ Z Q i^ — -) OC ^ H < Q. KoRKsr Lkavks, Vol. xv., No. 8. 00 o 2; > X J o > > I FIRE TOWER JUST COMPLETED ON MONT ALTO FOREST, WITH AID OF FOREST ACADEMY STUDENTS. > o o o < O uj < I I- H- u o QT UJ o ^ °'5. U. Q. CO < I UJ o o Z cr O I UJ I ui -t z UJ < . I z I- UJ 3 .10 ^ \- Ui < CO UJ . u UJ > >. § ^ UJ y -^ O UJ I z •- — < CO I- H O H CO Z UJ - 0 o t z < o CO 5 Z "J i iZ 1 CO Q f- »- ^ ^ z < O UJ ^ Z Q i^ - -) oc ^ H < Q. INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE FOREST LEAVES. Ji3 121 that number. That the State Forest Academy maintains its position as the ** West Point " of the Pennsylvania Forest Service, is absolutely essential to the effective prosecution of this great York of educating men into uncompromising loy- alty of service to the Commonwealth. A very striking example of the wimediate value of the Forest Academy students to the State may be taken from the saving of forest land from the chronic incendiary fires occurring on one part of the Mont Alto Forest. On one Saturday night, during a severe drought, the students were just returning from a small fire about midnight when the telephone announced two more fires just started on the State Forest within the game pre- serve area, about four miles away. The students were on their way within the usual thirty minutes and had the fires out by 3 A. M. As soon as these fires were out a glow brightened the sky to the south-west — evidently another and a larger fire had been started. Leaving horses tethered, the Acad- emy men struck out by footpaths in a direct line for four miles or more across three ridges — thirty picked men — reaching this fire about four A. M., somewhat tired but with plenty of fight left. The telephone had announced this fire shortly after midnight, after the students had gone to the game preserve fires, so it had been raging unchecked for four hours. It had driven with a high wind over hundreds of acres by four A. M., and presented a spectacle terrifying to the untrained. The students were divided into two crews — one cutting the fire off on the west and keeping it off a high ridge on that side. The other crew attacked the main head and kept it from crossing a ridge road to the east, but could not cross its north front along the sMe of the ridge, as the gale drove it too fast. The first crew, having accomplished their mission, joined this crew and together they cut a line and back-fired down the slope across the fire-front. The slow-burning wings were then put out and the and the entire five miles of fire line was safe at 9 A. M., when the grub wagon arrived with food. This fire destroyed 600 acres of young forest from 8 to 35 years old, worth at least $6,000. Had the forester had to go out into the valley to recruit a fire fighting force (untrained and lacking enthu- siasm) the area burned would have been at least twice and probably at least three times as much. This organized body of picked men at the Forest Academy may thus save to the State their annual keep in one night. They have repeatedly saved the game preserve from being burned over. As many as eighteen fires have been put out in one single fire season of three months. The graduates of the State Forestry Academy now number 78, of whom 60 are in the State Forest Service, 8 in other forest, park or lumber work, 7 in other callings, and 3 are deceased. The work of these men — each field man has 20,000 acres of forest land to protect, develop and partly reforest — is of an excellent grade, and the citizens of the State are beginning to see forest devastation halted and constructive work begun. The older State Forests are showing really wonderful forest development. The four forest nurseries contain twenty million young trees of which seven million will be planted in the State this spring, reforesting over five thousand acres. J. T. R. Costly Indifference. A CCORDING to forest fire statistics issued a /-\ few days ago by the Department of For- estry at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania lost $850,000 from forest fires in 191 5. During the year 1,101 fires were reported. They burned over 42,000 acres of the State Forests, and 295,000 acres of private forest land. Over $32,000 was spent in extinguishing them. The causes are given as follows : railroads, 274 fires, doing $185,000 damage ; brush burning on dry or windy days, 105 fires, doing $35,000 dam- age ; incendiary, 102 fires, doing $98,000 dam- age ; carelessness of hunters, fishermen, and camp- ers, 136 fires, doing $108,000 damage ; lightning, 19 fires, doing $2,000 damage ; miscellaneous, 37 fires, doing $57,000 damage ; unknown, 382 fires, doing $365,000 damage. The average fire covered 300 acres, did damage estimated at $775, and cost $30 to extinguish. Half the fires covered less than 100 acres each; one- third covered from 100 to 1,000 acres each ; and 77 are reported as having burned over 1,000 acres each, or about sixty per cent, of the total burned area. It is apparent that the greater part of the damage is done by the comparatively few large fires; hence the Department will make a special effort in 1916 to reduce the number of thousand acre fires. ! The folly of permitting such a condition of af- fairs to exist ought to be apparent to a blind man, yet few people in the State seem to see it. At least, it so appears from the niggardly way in which the Legislature has provided the Department of Forestry with funds to carry on its work. The new Bureau of Forest Protection, created by an act passed by the last Legislature, has only $45>ooo available for its work of prevention and extinction for two years. As it cost $32,000 for one year for extinction only, it is evident that few preventive 122 P^ FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 123 measures can be taken, or much relief expected until sufficient funds are appropriated. The new bureau is fairly well equipped to do its work had the Legislature given it a working appro- priation. It has reorganized the forest fire warden system of the State on a non-political basis, mak- ing appointments onlv on merit. The co-opera- tion of the game and fish wardens, rural mail car- riers, employees of the State Highway Department, ! and the State Police, has been secured. Including the foresters and rangers in the Pennsylvania Forest Service, the total number of wardens is now about 1, 800. This is a splendid force to do the 1 work, but of what avail will it be so long as it is crippled for lack of means to carry it on ? j Economically, if not intrinsically, the forests of | the State are its most valuable asset, and the State is morally bound to its citizens to take every pre- caution in its power to protect this asset. The Legislature is shirking an almost sacred duty in its faiUire to provide enough funds. In contemplat- ing the enormous direct loss of $850,000 in timber to the State from forest fires, it must be remem- bered that these figures represent only a part of the real loss. The indirect loss to the State includes that of the loss to labor caused by keeping unpro- ductive 5,000,000 acres of forest, every acre of which is burned over once in ten years ; the loss in floods, water famines, and impure water supply, due to the burning of the humus and litter on the forest floor, which is nature's filter; the loss in taxes due to depreciation from fires, amounting to about $300,000 a year ; the loss to agricultural crops, and other unenumerated losses, aggregate the total of at least fifteen and possibly twenty- five million dollars a year. Nearly all this loss could be prevented for one- quarter to one-half of the sum that the loss in timber alone amounts to in a single year. It is up to the people to force their representatives in the Legislature to do their duty in this respect. — Editorial in the Doylestowu ' ' Democrat. Note. — The amount allowed now for extinction and prevention is just about one-fortieth of the loss for 1915 in timber only. — Ed. Thk Canadian Forestry Association has issued a booklet entitled "■ The Boy Scout's Forest Hook," in which attention is called among other facts to the forest fire evil. The statement is made that for every 20 trees grown in Canada, 17 are cut down and 170 burned. In the last century over one-half of the whole forested area of Canada has been burnt. Silviculture for Pennsylvania. SILVICULTURE comprehends the scientific study of the site, together with the techni- cal art of growing thereon a forest crop. It is related on the one hand to Utilization, in that silvicultural operations must look toward future ease of lumbering and the marketing of the products, and on the other hand to Finance in that all silvicultural measures must rest upon their ultimate ability to pay for themselves. Silvi- culture must, in the first place, limit its connection to utilization to the point at which reproduction is assured, and, in the second place, to Finance to the point at which the preservation of the site is secured. Silviculture is a study of two things : the forest and the tree. It is a study of the forest as an entity of life, as a biological organism, and not as an aggregation of trees. It is not a study simply of the trees that make up the forest, but of the trees plus the forces which have produced them, forces which are even now working both for their sustenance and for their destruction, and which will be effective after these trees have disappeared. It is a study of the tree, not as an individual in systematic Botany, that is Dendrology ; nor as a producer of wood, that is Technology ; but as a growing individual, which has a part in the life which we call the forest, and whose removal vitally affects the whole organism. Thus it is seen that the study of both the tree and the forest has two aspects ; the study of each as a product of factors of the environment, and of each as an agent in the formation and modifi- cation of the environment itself. The forest is one of the recognized vegetative types, each of which represents a balance of natural forces. The forest differs from the others in that it is the culmi- nation and climax of the succession of types. Among the interacting forces we recognize, after Schimper, the climatic and the edaphic. The cli- matic forces are heat, moisture, light, and wind. Heat is operative over large areas and determines the distribution of flora. Heat is measured in degrees, but its action in the forest is dependent not so much upon its absolute amount as upon its combinations with the factor of moisture known as humidity. The moisture which is significant for the tree is that which is stored up within the ground as soil water and is available at all times of the year. It is not true that rain results from forest growth, but that forest growth is a result of pre- cipitation, and that precipitation results from causes of far-reaching magnitude. The demands of the forest for moisture vary with age, season, i and area of the assimilative surface. Further, these demands again change with the variations in other climatic factors, as light and heat. The de- mands of the forest for light vary with age and sT)ecies. The crown cover of the forest is an ex- pression of the light relations and demands of the individuals. Thus the crown cover of a broad- leaved stand is more or less flat and high, while that of a coniferous stand is more irregular and deep. Within certain limits light and moisture ! are equivalent in their action, but there is a mini- mum beyond which a deficiency of either cannot be replaced by the other. The light relations of the forest are easily regulated by the forester and thus form the lever by which he accomplishes the larger proportion of his desires within the forest. Wind is of primary importance in the dispersal of seed, of the gases of the atmosphere, and, in particular, of humidity. It is often a destructive agent in the forest and, as such, becomes an object of study in Protection. The edaphic factor, the soil, is regarded by for- esters from three different points of view. From the chemical viewpoint it is relatively unimportant. While it is true that limited investigations go to show the importance of the chemical constitution of the forest soil ; yet, on the whole, forest growth seems limited not by this, but by other considera- tions. The forest uses such a small proportion of the mineral ingredients of the soil that it could virtually support a forest in perpetuity. Dr. Schenck was fond of saying that a tree was sohd- ified air, water, and sunshine. From the physical viewpoint the same can not be said. If the soil has not the proper depth, porosity, and granular structure, the type of forest which can grow upon it is greatly limited. While the moisture relations of the soil determine, upon large areas, the type of forest, upon limited areas the moisture content ^ very much dependent upon the physical condi- lion. Aeration, heat, and color are other condi- tions entering into the physical structure. These are of great importance to the forest. But of neater importance than the chemical composition or physical condition are the biological relations, (he life of the soil determines the life upon the arface of the earth. It is a grand conception of .ature which shows the mighty oak to be de- endent for its food upon the lowly microscopic rganism which is in contact with its tiny rootlets, lere is a field of limitless possibilities. Among iiese environmental forces which determine by !ieir balance the type of vegetation upon the sur- face, none has more influence upon the final result fnan these minute forms. The balance of these different factors brings *'orth a succession of vegetation upon the surface if the earth. The passage from the lowliest lichens to the proud stand of oak or pine is the symbol of endless ages, but to nature it is merely a day. Endless life through endless death is the order of her growth. The variations in heat have marked the earth off into great zones within which are found quite different types of flora. These are not horizontally marked upon the surface, but follow the lines of the isotherms ; not the lines of the annual isotherms, however, but those of the * growing season. Within the floristic regions the presence or absence of moisture has operated to mark off grassland, woodland, or desert. Within the woodland, variations in the conjunction of heat and moisture has operated to delimit certain grand forest regions. Within these, various combina- tions of heat, moisture, and other climatic factors have produced certain Type-Groups, as Toumey calls them. Occasionally these are edaphic in their source. Within the type-group we have the forest types proper ; as the shortleaf, the white pine— red pine, the red spruce, etc. Lumbering and fire have operated for many years to obscure these natural indicators of the locality and have destroyed the balance of the natural forces oper- ating upon the habitat. If the original forest is to \ be replaced, and the natural condition restored, it 1 is our business to determine, as far as possible, the \ similarity of any site to a determined forest type ' and to treat it accordingly. It is being empha- sized more and more in these days that the forester is primarily an ecologist. After Protection is assured, there must be started the course of forest ; production which is to furnish a forest crop. This can only be done if there is a sympathetic inter- pretation of the nature of the habitat with which we are dealing. This sounds highly abstract and theoretical, and almost absurd in the light of much of the work that we are actually doing. This, however, is no sign that it may not be right in the long run, and that the forester of the future will not condemn much of the forestry of the present as unscientific and foolish. It does not mean that trees should not be planted until full meteorological data concerning the site are obtained ; but rather that we should not plant without a careful study of the site and an empirical comparison, at least, of that site with others where we know these species to be growing. On the other hand there is no justi- fication for the prolonged practice of forestry by the state of Pennsylvania without, at least, a super- ficial determination of the climate of the various points at which State Forests are located. No other great country in the world is doing it at the present I time- the National Forest Service is devoting more and more time to a careful study of these points. If the forest is a oroduct of these factors, how can j we expect to understand the ever changing mani- i< 30 -i» 124 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 125 festations of this organism without an investigation of the ever changing factors themselves ? Not only is the forest a product of these factors, but it is itself an agent in the work of changing them. Every forest has its own climate. As Mayr puts it, a forest is like a house ; having its own climate within the house, and another with- out the house. Thus the production of a forest where there was none before may work wonderful changes. Where planting has been extensively carried out on the prairies we have the establish- ment of a mesophytic climate instead of a typical grassland climate. The herbs of the forest are very different in their moisture requirements from the herbs of the neighboring grasslands. There is an influence upon temperature ; the extremes being mitigated, the air being cooler in summer and somewhat warmer in winter. The moisture of the soil is greatly decreased in the lower strata ; this lowering of the ground water increasing with the age of the forest. On the other hand the soil surface is more humid and moist, due to lessened evaporation, and decreased drain on the surface layers The air is much more humid within the forest than outside. The wind effects are greatly lessened. This influence extends for some distance to the lee and may be of great importance to agri- culture. The light which reaches the forest floor is much less than the full light of day, and of a i difl'erent composition. Consequently the forest has an herbaceous flora of its own, varying with the tolerance of the species composing it. These effects of the forest are all internal. In addition there are the well known external effects upon the runofl* of the streams and the regulation of water flow. The forest floor is porous, the possibility of its freezing is much less, the com- munication with lower soil layers is assured by numberless rootlets which act as percolating channels ; all of these facts serve to assure the re- tention of a large part of the water reaching the the floor and its consequent emergence as springs far from the point of original entry. So far the forest has been under consideration as an entity. The forester must have that as a primary conception, and must investigate that as the source of the knowledge most requisite for silviculture. Nevertheless the forest is made up of individuals which sometimes differ greatly in their growth habits, and concerning which it is neces- sary also to be informed if the forester is to in- terpret the facts aright. The tree within the forest is a product of the internal forces acting upon its roots, stem, and crown. Its roots are in active competition with other roots for room, food, and moisture. Its bole answers in its form to the density of the stand and the light, moisture, and food coming to it. Its crown is determined in shape and size by its room and relative position within the crown level. Further, in the same forest, trees will be found which have inherited different methods of response to the same stimuli. Thus some have inherited rapidity of height growth in early youth, others the same later in life. Some are unable to grow in the absence of full light and others do not require it. Some res- pond to light bv a stimulation of crown develop- ment and others by height growth. Others can be forced to height growth only by a withdrawal of light. Some trees are social and others are not ; that is, some prefer to grow in mixed stands, while others do better in pure stands. It is the business of the forester who knows Silviculture to consider these inherited habits of the individuals and to provide for them root, crown, and bole space. Root space can be pro- vided by a regulation of density, or by a mixture of trees that tap different levels of the soil. Bole development can be provided for by such a regu- lation of light as will, first of all, stimulate height growth, and then follow by a stimulation of diame- ter increment that the timber produced may be of good quality. This demands a knowledge of the opposing demands of the monopodial and non- monopodial trees as to stand density. The amount i of crown space to be given the tree varies with the age of the tree. In youth only as much space must be assured as will maintain vigorous life. Too much room means an over-production of limbs. Cleaning is, in most species, a function of density, and the forester must assure cleaning of the bole. Toward the end of the period of principal height growth, the efi*ort is directed toward the production of a vigorous crown, to assure the putting on of a valuably increment on the merchantable bole. This wood fiber is a function of the area and assimilative capacity of the leaf surface. Thus for a time the aim is just the opposite of what it had been. Toward the end of the rotation the forester must so free the crown that seed production is stimulated and natural regeneration is provided for. This is the ultimate test of the care of the stand. If the tendence has been correct this will prove it. If it has been incorrect, natural seed regeneration will fail. Thus the regulation of the root, bole, and crow i of the individuals within the stand is brought about by the cuttings carried on by the forester durin^^ the life of the stand. These should be of such a ' character that each tree is provided the growing space which it needs, but that no part of the tree I develops at the expense of any other part. It wi I j be immediately evident that the severity of the cuttings will depend greatly upon the growth habits of the species, as set forth above. Whether the forest is mixed or pure will influ- ence to a considerable degree the intensity of the competition between the trees, and the form of the final crop. Since trees that approach each other systematically compete with each other more intensely for nourishment, a mixed stand will assure a better utilization of the habitat, a better yield in wood, and a safer inve«itment. Biologi- cally too, the mixed wood is the stronger. It offers the best protection against fire, fungi, and insects, as well as the best means of meeting an unstable lumber market, and a demand for many different sizes of material. In its relation to Utilization, Silviculture is primarily concerned with the method of harvesting as it is related to regeneration. Lumbering may take place either before seeding, during seeding, or after seeding. In the first case we have clear cutting followed either by'planting or by natural regeneration from the side. ' If the area is planted up there is presupposed a considerable investment in the means of raising trees, /'. e., nurseries. While it is commonly said that the nursery offers the surest method of regener- ation, and that the forester can, with the nursery, control the species and the result, there is to be noted the fact that, in America, forest nursery ])ractice has as yet attacked only a relatively small number of species and not always has it been suc- cessful with these. Nursery practice is fairly well established in white and red pine, Norway spruce, and European larch among the conifers ; and in the oaks, maples, and ashes among the hardwoods ; but as yet it has not succeeded in the case of such desired forest trees as yellow poplar, the elms, white oak,' and hemlock. Furthermore, the expense of raising the first mentioned is still far too high. I am very well satisfied that I have raised them for a little over one dollar a thousand, but ought to have them for about sixty (onts; then planting could be done at a figure >\ hich would insure a profit. It is true that the loresters of some states furnish tables giving the i rofits on white pine planted at a cost of ten dollars an acre. But these figures are misleading. It will I e some time before such prices will be realized in he mountainous regions of Pennsylvania. There is a fruitful field for original work in the nursery ^Aith its complex problems. '' Damping-off " and rursery fertilizers are subjects that the European ^ )resters have not been compelled to face with the ^ ame interest that we must face them, because they i.ave had, in cheap labor, a panacea for their iiursery ills. The mechanical end of nursery work c^'iso presents a large field. Too many things are done by hand. An inventive genius is needed to work out some practical tools. If, following lumbering, seeding from the side, or any other form of natural regeneration is re- sorted to, we will be guided as to the intensity of our work by the financial surroundings of the operation. Natural seed regeneration offers great elasticity in its various methods, their modifications fitting them for various financial necessities. Of all these methods probably the seeding from the side offers the cheapest solution of the financial difficulty in as much as it allows of clear cutting, of large area cutting, of no permanent investment in roads preceding the cutting, of cutting without technical supervision. However it is commonly not clear cutting, but culling ; the weeds remain. Moreover, the success of the seeding is more or less intimately bound up with the size of the cut- over areas, as well as the carrying capacity of the seed and the aggressiveness of the species. This is the method for the outskirts of civilization, for primeval woods, and for the transition period of forestry. In its more satisfactory form of strips, this method of seeding returns to a purely forestry viewpoint, and may be the ultimate solu- tion of many vexing problems. It is significant that one of the clearest financial thinkers in For- i estry is an advocate of the strip method of clear I cutting in many of the primeval woods. It repre- ! sents an easy method by which transition can be had to more intensive methods later on. If the lumbering and the seeding go on side by side, we have forms of the shelterwood system. This finds its extensive method in few cuttings, and its intensive method in many cuttings over the same area, instead of in the size of the area attacked, as was the case in clear cutting. In its more extensive form of a two cutting method, it has the advantage over the clear cutting method that better soil protection is secured, and better species are obtained. However, it represents a considerable investment in growing stock, if the original stand was nearlyeven aged ; it must be com- posed of a windfirm species ; it leads to a higher cost of lumbering ; and a permanent transporta- tion system will be a necessity sooner than in the other method. This method is most apt to be applicable in those yellow pines, and in irregular hardwoods, which are fairly windfirm. It ap- proaches the selection-system in irregular woods, but difl'ers from the selection in being so much more severe in its attack. It is often called the selection- shelterwood. The more intensive forms will hardly be applicable for some time in America, and perhaps never, since they are decreasing in applicability in Europe. Only in the modified group form do they present advantages which make V i 126 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 127 them desirable. Here the silvicultural advantages I are so great, the assurance of a seeding so con- siderable, that this form will likely be retained for all time. It is especially applicable to heavy | seeded species among the hardwoods. It rests, however, upon the assumption of good market conditions and a fine system of roads. I Finally, if seeding precedes lumbering we have some form of selection, either regulated or unregu- lated. It is regulated selection if a certain per centage of the forest is covered each year, that cutting removing the mature trees, and a return being made to that section in a relatively brief time. It is unregulated if cutting goes on all the time over the whole forest. The crudest form of the regulated selection is that in which cutting is made to a certain diameter limit, and a return to that area is made in a considerable number of years. In other words, an artificial measure takes takes the place of the judgment of the forest officer for the purpose of saving expense. If the cutting is to be continuous, this method presupposes a very large acreage of forest, or a mill of very small annual cut. It is this factor that has made the method a failure for sustained yield attainment in the past. It has been used to regulate cutting in woods where it was wished to carry on conserva- tive cutting, rather than continuous management. It is probable that in most of the cutting which has to be done in the central and southern parts of the State, the method that will prove most appli- cable will be a two to three cutting shelterwood. This will approach a selection in fact, because of the presence of a small percentage of mature hard- woods in a body of younger coppice, or in a body of forest which matures later than the species to be cut. Thus white oak and yellow poplar should be left when rock oak and chestnut are taken out. It will later approximate a two story forest. So far as the coppice, and coppice with standards forests are concerned, while they are our immediate problem, their simplicity of management removes them from the field of most intensive silviculture. They are the ideal form for the farmer's woodlot and the small holder, because of this very simplicity of management. With us they represent mainly a problem of transition. I am not one of those who believe that the coppice woods with which we are blessed here will ever amount to as much as is fancied. Any one who has examined the stumps of freshly cut coppice, which, in Pennsylvania at least, almost always show serious rot present as a result of successive fires, will ap- preciate the truth of this statement. As soon as the market conditions will allow it, our work should be to investigate carefully and apply the most satis- factory means of transition to a more valuable seed forest, or at least, means looking toward removal of the stumps, so that a more healthy and less firt:- scarred forest be secured. This brings us once more to the consideration of the financial aspect of the question. Just as we have borne it in mind all through the discussion of the relation of Silviculture to Utilization, so iu all other operations, Finance stalks in the back- ground, a ghost that will not down. Silvicultural operations are dependent for success upon the correct interpretation of future economic events. These may be arranged under three major heads : species needs, timber needs, small stuff needs. The first is a question for Technology to answer as soon as possible, before we have gone too far ahead with our work. In a measure we have ex- perience to guide us. We know what species are being used for various products. But this is only a fraction of the knowledge needed. What species will take the place of the ones which can not easily be raised within the nnrsery or the forest? What new uses will be found for those easily raised? What species now regarded weeds, will come into consideration as valuable? The answer to these questions is needed at once for Silviculture. Why raise spruce for pulp, if rapidly growing hardwoods will serve, or perhaps cornstalks supplant these? What will take the place of Hemlock ? These are only two instances of vital questions which con- front us. The second question is one of timber needs. What will these be in the future? How far will the tropical and Russian forests fill them? How far can the development of inland watefways in the State be expected? I would point out that only about sixty years ago there was a water trans- portation system of considerable extent in this State. An increase in population and industrial life, an increase in burden upon the railroads, is going to make a revival of these waterways neces- sary. Then again the question of the world supply of timber will become more pressing than ever. Yellow poplar at Karlsruhe on the Rhine was, in 191 T, less expensive than spruce from the Black Forest, fifty miles away. Timber will be produced cheapest where there is the most waste land, wher 1 there is a favorable climate, and where wages aro j low. That will not be in Pennsylvania. I The third (juestion is one of small stuff needs. I That rests upon the same premises as the other and j is answered in an opposite sense. Where the one is possible the other is not. If the product is large I stuff, the small stuff market is poor. Primeval lumbering is always wasteful of the by-products. Thus if we come to the conclusion that the future market for timber will be poor in Pennsylvania, we must also conclude that an increase of popula 'ion and especially of industries will lead to an in- creased demand for the smaller products of the ^orests for those industries. If this interpretation of future economic events be correct, what must be our policy as silvi- i:ulturists ? My advice is to go slow, stand upon two or three legs, and let the mixed forest answer the question. The question will not be finally iolved in the lifetime of the first generation of for- esters, and we will leave a more promising field for our successors if their hands are not tied down by a pure, even aged stand. Let the primeval forest be the guide, after the relative position of the site is determined according to our knowledge of the primeval stand. This will suffice until a more careful determination is made. Work over those areas first which promise to be closest to the market in the future. Then extend the operations to the more backward regions. Meanwhile, experiment in those more backward sections until, when taken in hand, we are sure that the species and the methods are right. Use such trees in the mixture as will not eliminate each other, preferably both conifers and broadleaves. In most cases the in- terpretation of the primeval forest will probably present the hardwoods upon the ground as a filler, with the necessity of introducing either white or yellow pine, spruce or larch, and oak. I believe that it is well to pay more attention to the intro- duction of oak. With the death of the chestnut, we are going to have this truth pressed home upon us. Beech, maple, and birch ; or chestnut, rock oak, and weeds we have already. The necessity is to improve the mixture, eliminate the weeds by improvement cuttings as the market allows, gradu- ally introduce the species mentioned by under- planting or cleared groups, and let the determina- tion of method and system await the event. Protection comes first. Then comes Silviculture ; with it perhaps a crude form of Management, but I believe absolutely that anything further than a crude form is premature in our depleted wood- lands. All the management that will be needed for a long time, is a systematic form of keeping careful records of operations, and good maps to assist us in the protection and in the gradual de- velopment to the point at which plans of manage- ment may be possible. For the present, rather than a plan of management, a carefully worked out silvicultural policy is needed to take the place of the haphazard slogan, '' Plant Trees." What we need to determine is what to plant, where to plant, and under what conditions can the planting be made more successful. (In the next issue will appear a continuation of this article dealing with the silvicultural conditions in Pennsylvania, and suggesting a silvicultural policy suited to them.) Geo. A. Retan. Three years ago the Pocono Protective Fire Association of Monroe County, invited the fire wardens of the county to a dinner and meeting at Cresco. There was a two-fold object in view : — to get the wardens together in a social way for the promotion of comradeship, and then to give them some instruction in their duties. The affair was quite successful. The following year the plan was repeated, at Buck Hill Falls Inn., with a larger attandance and greater interest. This year the third annual meeting of the fire wardens was held on March i8th, at Pocono Manor Cottage, at the invitation of Mr. Edwin A. Hoopes, President of the Pocono Protective Fire Association. In spite of heavy snow falls during the month of March, that blocked many roads in the Pocono mountains, there was a good attendance and a marked display of interest on the part of the wardens. George H. Wirt, Chief Forest Fire Warden of the State, has represented the Department of For- estry at each of these three annual meetings, and has made an address on each occasion. This Monroe County idea, of an annual meeting for the .fire wardens, was embodied in the fire protective law that was passed by the last General Assembly. It has been made obligatory. In addition to this county-meeting in Monroe, Mr. Wirt has con- ducted meetings, during March, in Bellefonte, Wellsboro, Huntingdon, Mifflinburg, Clearfield, Bedford and Lock Haven. W. R. F. New Publications. Forest Valuation. Volume II. Michigan Manual of Forestry. By Filibert Roth. 1916. 171 pages, 8vo. Published by the author. This is the second volume of the Michigan Man- ual of Forestry. The first volume — Forest Regu- lation or the Preparation and Development of Forest Working Plans — appeared about a year ago. No doubt other volumes will follow. The author is so well known to many of the readers of Forest Leaves that the mere announcement of the author and the title of his publication should be sufficient, but the book is too full of original features and points of merit, and its scope is so comprehensive and its style sjo simple, that the main chapters treated will be subjoined. I. Introduction II. Arithmetic of Forest Valuation III. Application of Valuation IV. Relation of Capital and Income to Forestry V. Rotation VI. Value of Stumpage VII. Damage in Timber VIII. Taxation of Forests 128 FOREST LEAVES. IX. Fire Insurance in Forestry X. Right Use of Land Appendix In a footnote the author states that, ''the ele- mentary treatment of these simple problems in literal arithmetic has been fully justified by fifteen years' experience in University teaching." Throughout the entire text the author keeps in company with practical problems and therein lies its chief value as compared with other treatises on the subject. Under such treatment Forest Valua- tion continues to be a branch of forestry, and not a branch of mathematics. Students and practi- tioners will find this volume both interesting and instructive. It is published by the author, Univer- sity of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. T/ie Spruces and Balsam Fir Trees of the Rocky Mou7itain Region. By George B. Sudworth, Dendrologist, Forest Service, United States De- partment of Agriculture. Bulletin No. 327. This bulletin deals with the distinguishing char- acteristics, geographic distribution and forest habits of four species of spruce and six species of balsain fir trees that grow naturally in the Rocky Moun- tain region. It consists of 43 printed pages and is well illustrated by 25 plates of ink sketches, most of them natural size. Appended to the pub- lication are ten outline maps giving in green color the distribution of each of the ten species treated. The range of usefulness of this publication extends far beyond the confines of the geographical region treated. Three of the species treated, viz : — Black Spruce, White Spruce and Balsam Fir, are practi- cally transcontinental species with the center of their distribution east of the Rockies. Most of the species have been planted extensively for. orna- mental purposes throughout the East. The author also discusses briefly many of the ornamental vari- eties, and their introduction into foreign countries. Seventh Afimial Report of the State Forester of Vermont. By Austin F. Hawes, State Forester. 191 5. 55 pages, 9 photographic illustrations, and one outline map of the State showing the location 1 of the State Forests. The report shows that the State owns 9,555 acres of forest land upon which 452,000 trees were planted during 191 5. In addition to these 648,- 000 were planted on privately owned tracts in various parts of the State. The State nursery contains 3,549,000 seedlings and transplants — 2,880,000 white pine — ranging in age from two to four years. The report also contains a state- ment by R. M. Ross, Assistant, concerning forest fires for 19 14. The number of fires reported were 137, the acreage burned 4,058, and the cost of extinction $3,368.25, or an average of $24.60 per fire. A Discussion of Log Rules. By H. E. McKenzie, Published by California State Board of Forestry, Bulletin No. 5. The author points out the limitations of existing rules and gives suggestions for their correction. The Doyle and Scribner rules, both of which have a rather wide application in Pennsylvania and are in urgent need of correction, are discussed in detail, and the basis of their construction is shown graphically. A Mill Scale Study of Western Yellow Pine. By H. E. McKenzie. Published by California State Board of Forestry. Bulletin No. 6. 171 pages, 2 1 2 figures, and 40 tables. An exhaustive treatise containing practical methods of procedure which can be used to advan tage in other regions. The Southern Cypress. By Wilbur R. Matton, Forest Examiner, Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Bulletin No. 272. It contains 74 pages, supplemented by 24 tables, and illustrated with 7 figures and 1 2 plates. Shortleaf Pine : Its Economic Importance and Forest Management. By Wilbur R. Matton, For- est Examiner, Forest Service, United States De- partment of Agriculture. Bulletin No. 308. It contains 66 pages, supplemented by 35 tables, and illustrated with 7 figures and 10 plates. Willows : Their Gro7(ith, Use, and Importance. By George N. Lamb, Forest Examiner, Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Bulletin No. 316. It contains 52 pages, supple- mented by 21 tables, and illustrated with 7 plates. I It should be studied with Farmer's Bulletin 622 entitled, Basket Willow Culture, by the same author issued December 10, 191 4. The Ashes : Their Characteristics and Manage- ment. By W^ D. Sterrett, Forest Examiner, Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Bulletin No. 299. It contains 88 pages, supple- mented by 49 tables, and illustrated with 16 plates. The Northern Hardwood Forest : Its Composi- tion, Growth, and Management. By E H. Froth ingham, Forest Examiner, Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Bulletin No. 285. It contains 79 pages, supplemented by 46 tables, and illustrated with i figure and 15 photo- graphic plates. R- R- ADVERTISEMENTS. The Pennsylvania State College FOUR YEAR COURSE IN FORESTRY. A thorough and practical undergraduate course in technical forestry — preparing men tor all lines of professional and applied forestry. Special attention is paid to practical field work in surveying, mapping and forest measurements. One of the largest of the State Forest Reserves is within a short walk of the College. For information regarding entrance requirements, expenses, etc., address DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, STATE COLLEGE, PA. FOREST LEI^VEp. THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE Pennsylvania Forestry Association. I liiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!iniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii| ll&OnlyGraiidPnze I (Highest Award) I ^iven to I Dictionciries I aHKePanama- I Pacific Exposition^ was ^ranfoJfo WEBSTER'S I NEW INTERNATIONAL! I FOH I I Superiority of Educational Merit. | I This new creation answers with | i final audiority all kinds of puzzling | I questions such as ^'How^'i^Przemiist j I pronounced ?' 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CONTENTS: Editorials 129 Bird Notes 130 York County Tree Study Campaign 130 Land Purchase for Pennsylvania State Forests 131 The Vegetation of the Wandering Dunes at Cape Henry, Va. and Dismal Swamp 133 Forests of the War Zones 135 The Silvicultural Consideration of Forest Conditions in Pennsylvania 138 Extracts from the Report of the Chief Forest Fire Warden • . . . . 141 New Publications 144 THE PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, Founded in June 1886, Labors to disseminate information in regard to the necessity and methods of forest culture and preservation, and to secure the enactment and enforcement of proper forest protective laws, both State and National. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE, TWO DOLLARS. LIFE MEMBERSHIP, TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS. Neither the membership nor the work of this Association is intended to be limited to the State of Pennsylvania. Persons desiring to become members should send their names to the Chairman of the Membership Committee, 1012 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. President, Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock. Vice-Presidents, Robert S. Conklin, Wm. S. Harvev, Albert Lewis, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, Samuel L. Smedley General Secretary, Samuel Marshall. Recording Secretary, F. L. BItler. Treasurer, Charles E. Pancoast. COMMITTEES OF THE PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION: Joshua L. Baily, Eckley B. Coxe, Jr., Wm. S. Harvey, Hon. Marshall Brown, Geo. F. Craig, FINANCE-Dr. Henry M. Fisher, Chairman Henry Howson, Jos. Johnson, Albert Lewis, LAW— Dr. Henry S. Drinker, Chairman; Hon. Lucien W. Doty, W. W. Montgomery,' Chas. E. Pancoast, J. Rodman Paul, H. W. Shoemaker. Irvin C. Williams. MEMBERSHIP— Albert B. Weimer, Chairman; Walton Clark, Samuel Marshall, Samuel L. Smedley, Hon. Robert S. Conklin, Solan L. Parkes, L. A. Watres, Mrs. Brinton Coxe, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, John H. Webster, Jr., Dr. Henrv M. Fisher, H. W. Shoemaker, N. P. Wheeler, O. C. Hillard, Mrs. Alexander Van Rensselaer, Dr. W. P. Wilson. F. L. Bitler, Egbert S. Cary, PUBLICATION-Dr. J. T. Rothrock, Chairman : S. B. Elliott, Jos. S. Illick, Harrison Souder. Mrs. David Reeves, Miss Mary K. Gibson, WORK— Mrs. Brinton Coxe. Chairman ; Miss Ethel A. Shrigley, J. Franklin Meehan, E. E. Wildman. OFFICE OF THE ASSOCIATION, 1012 WALM T STREET, PHILADELPHIA. FORKST IvEAVBS Published Bi-Monthly. Entered at the Philadelphia Post-Office as second-class matter. VoL XV.— No. 9 Philadelphia, June, 1916 Whole Number 173 EDITORIALS. APRIL 15th representatives of The Pennsyl- vania Conservation Association, the Wild Life League, The United Sportsmen and The Pennsylvania Forestry Association, having many interests in common, met in Harrisburg to ascertain if it were possible to combine under one name and work together as a whole for such ends as all could approve. j The meeting was a sincere, friendly effort in | the conservation interests of the State. | The Pennnsylvania Forestry Association alone | declined to drop its name, because of paid up life j memberships and bequests which belonged to it | under its specific name. It was thought that it I would be a breach of trust to divert these to any other name, or control. The Forestry Association however will, beyond doubt, render any aid or cooperation possible in furthering the interests common to all. The April issue of ^^In The Open,*' page 31, remarks : ** it would not be surprising if the pro- loosed union will consist of a federation rather than a combination into one state body" ^-j^ ^ * " there seems to be strong sentiment among The League Members to ojopose any plan which would do away with the identity of this League, or lose the splendid name which it has built up for practi- cal work for wild life." This is just what might have been expected. We all wanted forests and wild life ; but we wanted them for different pur[)Oses. In spite of honest, entire sympathy and willingness to render loyal, mutual help there was a certain incongruity which stood in the way of a ])erfect Union. To illustrate : The Wild Life League with its large membership, has a very considerable number who desire that they may have a sporting journal, of high character devoted largely to one form, or another, of outing, >r f/ie sake of outing. Friction developed at once when it was proposed either to merge or suspend the interesting, useful publica- tions rei)resenting the outing phase. The state- ment that the money used to publish them could jjroduce larger results if otherwise applied was nothing to the purpose, because there was a posi- tive demand for just that class of journal among the contracting memberships. There, for the present, the matter rests. So far as the writer can see, there is every reason why The Pennsylvania Forestry Association could and should join in a federation, retaining its old name and internal direction and at the same time work heartily in accord with the other bodies. Such union seems practicable and likely to lead to good results. J. T. R. * % 5f: * ^ The 1 916 Out-meeting of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association at Reading, June 27th, 28th, and 29th, promises to be an occasion of great in- terest. Acceptances for the program, which is practically complete and which will be mailed to members, have been received from forest repre- sentatives in many of the adjoining States, and acceptances of the invitation to attend the meet- ing are being received almost daily from promi- nent persons having to do with forestal interests both in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. As many of the members and friends of the Association as can conveniently do so, are urged to be present in Reading on the morning of Tues- ; day, June 27th. At this time a trolley ride over the Mountain Trail for the purpose of seeing the Reading mountains, will be had. The first session will be held at 2.30 p.m. of that day and con- tinued during the evening. The outing for Wednesday to the Nolde and Horst plantations, and to be completed by a run over the Wyomissing Trail, probably promises to be the most interesting outing occasion of the series. The private forest plantations on the estates of these two gentlemen are worthy a visit i and careful study by those who are today engaged in planting forests or who expect to do so. Sessions will be continued Wednesday evening. The Berks County Conservation Association, the host of the occasion, expects to furnish the visitors a luncheon on Mr. Horst's estate, at which time it is probable that a number of 5-minute talks I from visiting friends will be had. : The outing for Thursday morning includes an inspection of the municipal forest nursery of the city of Reading and the forest planting which has been done by the city over what is known as its Antietam watershed, a large protected area from n,V 130 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 5>3 181 which a portion of the city's water supply is de- rived. A session will be held Thursday afternoon and a concluding session Thursday evening. The President of the American Forestry Asso- ciation, Charles Lathrop Pack, of Lakewood, New Jersey, will be present representing that associa- tion, and representatives of the State Game Com- mission and the Department of Fisheries will be present to point out the intimate relationship ex- isting between the interests which they are pro- moting and protecting, and the very vital question of reforesting the cut-over lands of this State. In order that the generous host of the occasion, the Berks County Conservation Association, may be enabled to provide in advance the necessary conveyances, the members are requested to advise Secretary F. L. Bitler, as soon as possible, whether they will attend, and in which of the outings they will participate. This is especially necessary for the trolley ride on Tuesday morning and the ex- cursion to the Nolde and Horst plantations. The Reading meeting should be made the oc- casion for one of the largest outpourings of our members which has taken place in recent years. Easily accessible from all parts of the State, the city of Reading and the forest activities gener- ally in Berks county at this time, offer impelling inducements for the largest attendance the Asso- ciation has enjoyed for years. The members are also urged to invite friends of forestry who are not members of the Association, to be present and see for themselves the great pro- gress now being made in awakening among our people a better sense of the meaning of what is being done in Pennsylvania Forestry. Bird Notes. IN view of my study window I have a mass of beef suet on a fine copper beech tree. I wished to provide winter food for the birds, to attract them to the grounds and to enjoy their enjoyment. The most persistent visitors to the food were the English sparrows. There was room for several of them to feed at once, but I do not remember see- ing more than one eating at a time. I have seen no contest among them, or with any bird of a dif- ferent species — though I have frequently seen the white-breasted nuthatch sitting unmolested on a limb waiting for his turn. The downy woodpecker, male and female, made frequent daily visits, sometimes together, though I never actually saw them eat together. This bird has been the least timid of any of our feathered visitors. The little brown creeper comes occasionally, usually head downward from the trunk above. He seems to prefer seeking a living in the bark crev- ices of two large white pine trees near by. We have a pair of cardinal red birds wintering near by. I have seen one of them once near the suet by my window, though both male and female prefer to make early morning visits to suet that I have placed in a more secluded tree. This shy- ness here is a surprise to me, for elsewhere I have had these birds come to the kitchen door and take suet from the side of the house. We have had two visits from a crow. On his second visit he carried the suet off bodily. March 3rd my attention was called to a single, male robin, shivering on the limbs of the beech tree. I was surprised to see him alone. And as the weather has since been inclement I was still more surprised to see him again on March 6th on the same tree. He appeared to be in vigorous condition, but the suet did not attract him. Late in February a large flock of starlings sud- denly appeared in an apple tree in the yard and ! ate the frozen apples that remained on the tree. j A few days later they found a pile of semi -decayed apples under the tree and made several meals there. The suet does not tempt them. They are ! sorely tried because of the snow which covers the ' ground ; though they find most acceptable food at such times in the dried fruit of the Japanese ivy on the walls of a neighboring house. J. T. R. York County Tree Study Campaign. ON August 27, 191 5, County Superintendent Strine assembled the teachers of York county in a special one-day institute session preliminary to the opening of the fall school term. Hon. A. B. Farquhar, President, and H. C. Ulmer, Secretary of the City Shade Tree Commission, of York, delivered addresses upon the study, care, and planting of the native trees of the county. The teachers, some 500 of them, unanimously* a^rt ed to devote some time to the study of the native trees. A committee was appointed to plan and supervise a campaign of procedure. A leaflet was prepared and distributed among the teachers, out- lining the plan and scope of the undertaking and stating some of the objects to be accon ])lished. The primary object of this first leaflet was '* to se- cure cooperation of all the teachers and pupils in the public schools of York county, in collecting data which will eventually be arranged and pub- lished in book form, giving narres and photo- graphs of all the native trees. The book will be entitled * The Native Trees of York County' compiled by the teachers and pupils of the public schools. ' ' An enterprising citizen of York county has assumed the responsibility of financing the publi- cation which will not only embrace the descrip- tion of the diff'erent species of trees, but also con- tain much information concerning the beautifying of school grounds and historical data and land- marks associated with trees. To give greater impetus to the movement. County Superintendent Strine arranged to have talks on ** Trees" as a part of his district institute programs. The speakers urged the teachers them- selves to make a careful study of the native trees and then instruct their pupils about these common nearby objects. At an early date, it was learned, that more than a verbal appeal was necessary to interest the teachers of a distinctly agricultural region in this work. I'he Woman's Club of York realized what was wanting, and consequently ofl'ered one first prize of ten dollars ($10) and two club members each offered an additional prize of five dollars (S5) ^or the best essay on '•'How to get pupils in our public schools interested in the study of native trees of York county. ''' Prizes seemed to be the proper solution of the problem. To encourage the pupils, several of the business firms and banks of York offered five-dollar ($5) prizes for the best essay on individual trees. About one hundred dollars ($100) is already available for such prizes. The Davey Institute of Tree Surgery ofl'ered one hundred and five dollars ($105) in prizes for the best essay on the ''Native Oaks of York County.'' Stark Bros. Nurseries Co. ofl'ered 75 selected apple trees for the best essay on the ''Native Hickories of York County.'' To further encourage the im- provement of school grounds a local Department Store ofl'ered one hundred dollars ($100) in cash to the school making the greatest improvement in a specified time. The promoters of this movement have spared no time nor eff'ort, but have attempted to secure proper and sufficient inducements, and have tried to make available many sources of information for both teachers and pupils. A recent printed circu- lar pamphlet gave the common and scientific names of about 80 native trees of the county, listed the best available literature on the subject, and informed all the prospective competitors for the prizes where they can secure authoritative in- formation and advice free of charge. The move- ment surely promises success, and as soon as the goal of its originators, benefactors, and ])romoters is reached, York county will stand in the van of the counties of the Keystone State in tMis par- ticular line of endeavor. H. C. Llmer. Land Purchase for Pennsylvania State Forests. IN an editorial writing in a late number of a sporting magazine, a very just claim is made for th« extension of the Pennsylvania State Forests. Forest Leaves has always stood stead- fastly for the regular and orderly extension of these forests. It has taken the high ground on a num- ber of occasions that every county in Pennsylvania is entitled to such a forest wherever it is possible to procure necessary land for that purpose. As a matter of forest administration, it is necessary that an initial area of a given size be in hand before a forest may be established. The purchase of small scattered tracts is not economic administration. A nucleus of at least 5,000 acres, as a result of ex- perience, is believed to be an initial area small enough to justify forest administration. In regions where great difficulty is had in procuring contigu- ous bodies of land, even smaller areas might be used and used well for beginning this work, but in every instance there should be a reasonable promise that an opportunity exists to procure ad- jacent lands for the enlargement of the area. Quoting from the article in the magazine in question, the following statement is made : ** More than two-fifths of the State lies west of the crest of the AUeghenies, and yet at present the State forest area in this two-fifths of the State totals about 10,000 acres as against more than 1,000,000 acres in the other three- fifths of the Commonwealth. We need more State forest areas in Western Pennsylvania — and now, since we have sufficiently raised the limit price to allow their purchase and since we are paying more than one-half the State taxes, we demand that for the next decade the appropriations for State forest extension be so applied that at the end of that period we will have on the watersheds of our two rivers at least two-fifths of all the State forest lands. " We know that until a year ago the limit price permitted per acre in forestry land pur- chase was too small to permit of the gather- ing of extensive acreages in the western counties, but we have remedied that and we are going to ask our brethren east of the mountains to sit back until we have gotten on an ecjuality with them in the matter of forest acreage." It is true the purchase price of forest lands has recently been raised from $5.00 to gio.oo per acre, but even this is inadequate when one comes to consider the procuring of large bodies of land in 132 3'- < FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 138 western Pennsylvania where practically everything is covered by some kind of an outstanding lease, be it oil, coal, or natural gas. To demand that the State shall purchase lands so encumbered is, we believe, not in accordance with the wisdom which has been dictated by experience. The State purchases nothing but fee simple titles, lo do otherwise would be to divide ownership, which is always a source of disagreement and contention. Nearly all the leases encumbering land m western Pennsylvania are coupled with the privilege to use as much of the timber growing on the surface as may be necessary for the purposes of the lessee. For the State to purchase the surface rights bear- ing the timber, and hold it subject to the whim or caprice of the lessee who refuses to sell out his interest at a price within the limit fixed for the purchase of forest land, is to invite speedy disaster , to any State forest established under such condi- ! tions. We believe the demand above quoted arises from a misunderstanding of conditions, and that if the situation were fully understood such demand would be followed by a retraction and an expla- nation, i We learn from the Department of Forestry at Harrisburg that numerous offers of tracts of greater or less size have been made west of the Alleghe- nies, but in almost every instance the purchase was impossible because of the reasons above cited. If the Legislature be willing to raise the purchase price to $50.00 an acre in order that the State may become 'the owner in fee simple, there would probably be less difficulty in procuring the necessary State forests west of the Alleghenies. The Depart- ment of Forestry is committed to the purchase of suitable State Forests wherever it is possible to locate them, but such purchases must be made in accordance with an orderly plan based primarily upon a fee simple title and considered with respect to costs of administration, protection, develop- ment, and future enlargement. l^he fact that the larger part of the State forests now lie east of the Allegheny mountains is not be- cause of a want of desire to erect State Forests west of the mountains, but because the cheap lands of the State lie in this region and fee simple titles may be had for a reasonable price. They are not encumbered with leases relating to oil, gas, or coal, and their purchase is possible within the price limit fixed by law. The original puri)Ose in the establishment of State Forests in Pennsylvania as set forth in the act of 1897 was that in order to augment, main- tain, and control the water supply, purchases of land should be made by the State at the head- waters of the three great river systems, the Dela- ware, the Susquehanna, and the Ohio. In this act it was provided that at least 40,000 acres should be procured on the headwaters of each stream. This has been accomplished in the cases of the Delaware and Susquehanna, but thus far it has not been possible to procure more than 10,000 acres on the drainage area of the Ohio. The statement has frequently been made that there is abundant land west of the Alleghenies to be had at a nominal price. To this writing the Department of Forestry advises us that it has no knowledge of the existence of such land in the abundance stated. It would not even have been possible to have purchased the 8,500 acres now comprising the Stuart State Forest in Westmore- land and Somerset counties if it had not been for the fact that the land had to be sold to close an estate, and the only purchaser available at the time to whom they might dispose of the whole area was the State of Pennsylvania ; consequently this land was had at the then limit price of $5.00 per acre. If the friends of forestry in western Penn- sylvania know of any 5,000 or 10,000 acre tracts which may be purchased free of encumbrance for : the present price limit of $10.00 per acre, the ' Department of Forestry will welcome the infor- mation, make the necessary examinations to de- termine the fitness of the land for forestry purpo- ses, and do what it can to procure a substantial land purchase appropriation from the next Legisla- ture to meet the wishes of our friends, stated in a rather more than didactic manner in the above quotation. It may be said in conclusion that there is no feeling of discrimination whatever against western Pennsylvania. In fact this is the only region in the State into which members of the Forestry Commission have actually gone seeking lands suitable for State Forests, which might be pur- chased by the Department. A very considerable ; time in the spring of 1908 was spent by the Secre- tary of the Commission in southwestern Pennsyl- vania and in consulting with large land owners in the city of Pittsburgh for the very purpose of pro- curing land, and the quest was entirely barren of results except in the case of the ])urchase of the Stuart Forest, which resulted therefrom. It is entirely probable that the foregoing decla- ration was inspired by a proper desire to extend the State forests and to have them where they will do the valuable service of protecting and augment- ing the water supply, growing timber, and afford- ing a refuge for wild game, birds, and protec- tion to fish in our streams ; and while we believe it is entirely proper, we feel that the regular and orderly businesslike procedure adopted by the Department of Forestry in the purchase of lands should be respected, and that its ai)propriation ought to be used by it in furthering the very best interests of all portions of the State where proper land is available. We do not believe it ought to be coupled with a demand to spend the money in particular regions, where the expenditure either is impossible or will be so burdened with restrictions that forest administration will become impossible, and the holding of such lands will be the subject of rightful criticism on the part of the people of the Commonwealth. The Vegetation of the Wandering Dunes at Cape Henry, Va. and Dismal Swamp. IJy Margaret C. Stavely. UNDER the auspices of the newly organized Ecological Society of America, the first ex- cursion of that society was taken by a party of six Pennsylvania botanists under the leader- ship of Dr. John W. Harshberger, April 24-26, 19 16, to the region of Norfolk to visit the dunes at Cape Henry and the forests of the Dismal Swamp. The first day was spent at Cape Henry and the third day in a boat trip to Lake Drummond in the center of the Dismal Swamp. Dismal Swamp. South of Norfolk, covering an area 45 miles by 20 miles, 800 square miles in all, is the Great Dismal Swamp, divided into two nearly equal parts by the boundary line between Virginia and North Carolina. It occupies the inner and highest portion of this section of the low, flat, scarcely undulating Coastal Plain, whose old coast line lies just to the west of the swamp, where it is said to meet the Nansemond escarpment— the old bench —as clearly as the sea meets the shore. From this point the land slopes gently southward, eastward and northward to the Atlantic Ocean and Chesa- peake Bay, where it is deeply invaded by tide-water estuaries, and where alone are to be found eleva- tions of considerable height, in the form of dunes, especially marked at Cape Henry— a region of high, shifting dunes. Many of the low marshy stretches, which re- sulted originally from the insufficient drainage slopes have been built up to such a measure by the accumulated vegetable deposits of centuries as to form extensive swamps, of which Dismal Swamp is the greatest. Out of this spongy, water-laden soil, which acts as a never-failing reservoir, flo^v the sluggish, winding streams which widen suddenly upon reaching the depressed, or drowned section of the plain. r 1 1 v The soil of the swamp is largely a soft, black, spongy humus — in part a half- formed peat several feet thick. This peaty material burns readily, sometimes causing great forest fires which are checked with difficulty — the more so as they may creep far underground, where they smolder for long periods and only occasionally give evidence of their presence through puffs of smoke which find their way to the surface. Such soils are not arable. Others, where the organic substances have not formed peat, are more so. It was the object of the land company owning this district, to re- duce it to cultivation, but the project failed. Near the central part of the swamp is Lake Drummond, named for its discoverer, a huntsman, who in an excited chase lost his way, and after three days of wandering came upon this sheet of water. Lake Drummond is 12 miles from Suffolk and 22 miles from Norfolk, whence it can be reached by a small naptha launch in four hours. The trip takes one up the south branch of the Elizabeth River, through one of its tributaries- Deep Creek— to the lock of Dismal Swamp Canal. This canal connects Norfolk Harbor with the Pasquotank River, N. C, where, as in no other place in the swamp, can be seen fine black gums and cypresses. Dismal Swamp Canal passes within three miles of Lake Drummond and is supplied by this lake with water through a much smaller canal, the Feeder. The larger canal is founded upon a much smaller one, which Washington had built shortly after this country gained its freedom. It is now 70 feet to 80 feet wide at the top, 30 feet to 40 feet at the bottom and accommodates a boat drawing 9 feet. Lake Drummond is bowl shaped, 3 miles across, feet to 12 feet above mid-tide, with an average 1 1 depth of 12 feet, though much deeper in the middle. It has no beach. Tall trees grow to the border. In the mire and mud, extending lake- ward from the woodland of today, may be seen an entanglement of stumps, roots and trunks of cypress trees, long since vanished under the unsparing hand of the lumber kings. Here the destruction of the trees, so characteristic of the swamp, is complete. Only a few lonely sentinels still guard the outlet to the feeder, down which boatload after boatload of timber must have passed. These sur- vivors are mostly old and are rotting away. They support a scant growth of beard-moss ( Tillandsia usneoides) which is not longer than two feet in this latitude. A few young cypresses skirt the forests. All have swollen, spreading bases, a peculiarity common to many swamp trees, but more con- spicuous in the Taxodium distichiim and Nyssa bifiora than in other species, though it is some- times pronounced in Acer rubnim, which grows here with the cypress and the gum. This feature 134 ^ FOREST LEAVES, FOREST LEAVES. 135 III is the outcome of the submerged conditions under which these trees grow. Moreover, the enlarged sections of the trunks of Taxodium distichum are traversed by sharp, prominent ridges which serve in part to distinguish them from T. imbricarium^ in which the ridges are more rounded. The knees of T. distichum growing in this part of Dismal Swamp are not pronounced — not more than two feet above the surface of the ground or water. These organs rise vertically from the roots and supply the underground parts with air, since swamp soils are poor in oxygen. The wood of this tree is used for shingles. It splits readily ; is strong and durable ; is soft when green and hard when dry. The water of Lake Drummond, and that which flows out of the swamp, is colored and tinctured by the cypress, the leaves of the gum and other decaying vegetation. In its deep amber waters objects are reflected with startling accuracy. All that is above the surface is doubled, all that is below is unseen. The water has a slightly bitter taste and was believed to possess fine medicinal properties and to keep pure for a long time, for ships bound for distant countries filled their casks with it. 1 he banks of both the Feeder and Dismal Swamp Canal are so high as to cut off the view from the boat. Only at the Upper Dam, the Great Lock, and one or two other places can clearings be seen without landing. In these spots the farming prospect seems forlorn enough. Weeds are plentiful, many of them such as are found in the north. The half-mile of the Feeder which extends between Lake Drummond and the dam is exceed- ingly narrow and deep. Only a rowboat can be used here. Acer rubrimi and Salix fiigra grow along the banks and send their roots out into the water, their trunks and branches bend towards each other across the stream, forming a dense canopy through which no sunbeam penetrates. It is difficult to find a landing place in this part of the canal, because of tangled roots in one place and slime and mud in another. Yet back of this confused mass of vegetation is the characteristic growth of the swamp. Herbaceous plants are few. Lizard's tail {Saururus ccrnuus) and jewel -weed {Impatiens biflora)^ are common, however; the latter growing in every available location. Woody plants form these forests. Tall, branchless sour gum {^Nyssa biflora), straight as the mast of a ship, grow to the height of 6o feet to 8o feet, where in the open sunshine they send out a thick mass of foliage. These trees grow close together and with them are a few cypresses ( 7". distichum), and tall tulip poplars {Liriodendron tulipiferd). Red maple (^Acerrubrin)i), black willow (^Salix nigra) ^ willow oak ( Querctis phellos) and elm ( Ulmus americana) are abundant, while button bush {Cephalanthus occidentalis), sweet pepper bush (^Clethra alnifolid) and elder (^Sambucus cana- densis) grow along the margins of the forests broken hedges. The number and variety of woody vines is re- markable. In a space by no means as large as a city square were found : Smilax (^Laurifolia), {rotundifo/ia), (IVa/teri) ; poison ivy (^Rhus radicans) ; trumpet creeper ( Tecoma radicans) ; coral honeysuckle {Lonicera sempervirens), in bloom ; grapevine ( Vitis rotiindifoiia) ; supple- jack {Berchemia scaudens) \ Virginia creeper (^Ampelopsis quinquefolia) \ jasmine (^Gelsemitim settipervirens), in bloom ; cross- vine (^Bigfionia capreolata). These vines climb to the tops of the smaller trees, where they hang in festoons of leaves and blossoms. Both vines and trees send up arched roots which make walking very difficult, especially where the ground is spongy. A much greater variety of plants can be seen along that section of the feeder which extends from the dam to the large canal. For more than a mile, red maple {Acer riibrufn) is the predomi- nant tree, but with it grow sour gum (Nyssa biflora) \ tulip tree {Liriodendron tiilipifera) ; sweet gum {Liquidambar styraciflua) ; wild black cherry {Prunus scroti na) ; white cedar {Chamae- cyparis thyoides) ; an occasional cypress ( Taxo- dium distichum) or loblolly pine {Pinus taeda) ; papaw {Asimina triloba), Salix nigra, S. fluvi- atilis, and willow oak ( Quercus phellos) ; magnolia {Magnolia Virginia na) ; holly {/lex opaca) ; laurel {Kahnia latifolia), and other thick evergreen, laurel-shaped, glossy leaved plants give these woodlands a very characteristic appearance. From the water's edge grow sweet pepper bush {Clethra alnifolia), elder {Sambucus canadensis), and chokeberry {Pyrus arbutifolia), in bloom. On the banks between the bushes are such ferns as On odea sensibilis, Osmunda cinnamomea, Os- munda regalis and Asplenium cbeneum. Viola blanda grows in scattered clumps, while a tiny yellow Krigia adds a bit of color to the slope. Rubus trivialis grows luxuriantly. Nearer the main canal the red maple is replaced by Pinus taeda, with its characteristic undergrowth of sweet magnolia {Magnolia virginiana) ; ink- berry {Ilex glabra) ; Ilex lucida; laurel {Kalmia latifolia^ ; waxberry (Myrica carolinensis), in bloom ; oak ( Quercus Margaretta) ; highbush blueberry {Vaccinium cory?nbosum), in bloom; Leucothoe racemosa, in bloom ; Xolisma ligu- strina; Pyrus arbutifolia, in bloom ; dogwood {Cornus florida), in bloom. Along the edge of the pines Specular ia perfoliata ; Ascyrum hype- ricoides, in bloom; Antennaria neglecta ; Ado- pogon carolinianum. The banks of the Dismal Swamp Canal are less beautiful than those of the feeder. In some places, the dredged-out earth has been thrown up on the banks and is still uncovered. Yet all the plants seen in the more typical sections are to be found here in the open, often growing in wild and attractive confusion. The one conspicuous flower- ing herbaceous plant of this part of the country at this time of the year is Senecio tomentosus, it is everywhere. Strawberry {Fragaria virginiana), too, is abundant, and Lonicera japonica clambers rankly over bush and bank. Alder {Alnus rugosa), Ivafrutescens, Sassafras, Paper mulberry {Brous- sonetia), trees not found by the lake, are seen here. The most ubiquitous plant of the region, found along the Feeder as well as along the Canal and Deep Creek is the great cane {Arufidinaria macro- sperma) in which negroes, escaped from slavery, sometimes hid before and during the Civil War. With the cane mingle dense growths of grasses and sedges, which alone cover the banks of the Elizabeth River near Norfolk, with an occasional Azalea (in bloom) or a rose mallow in the dis- tance. Cape Henry. About 2o miles to the east of Norfolk, as far from it as is the Great Dismal Swamp in a south- west direction, is a district of entirely difl"erent aspect — a large area of mobile sand, acres in ex- tent, which juts out between the Ocean and the Bay, constituting what is known as Cape Henry. Between the lighthouse on its outermost point and Broad Bay an inlet which almost severs this dis- trict from the mainland, may be seen sand forma- tions in every stage of building and of ruin. By far the most impressive of these dunes is a vast accumulation of fine sand of unusual breadth, sloping gently upward from the plain along the sea, and descending abruptly on the lee to a forest of lofty trees which it rivals or exceeds in height. Over this forest it is marching inch by inch. Already it has engulfed many of its members, as can be seen from the straggling tops and branches which project above the surface, and in many in- stances still bear leaves ,and blossoms. At the base in the swampland grow those trees and vines already noted in Dismal Swamp. Cypress ( Tax- odium distichum), with staminate catkins; sour gum {Nyssa biflora) ; red maple {Acer rubrum) ; bay {Per sea pubescens) ; sweet pepper bush {Clethra alnifolia)', Leucothoe racemosa, in bloom; chokchtrry {Pyrus arbutifolia) in bloom; highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosu^n), m bloom; inkberry {Ilex glabra)', Amelanchier canadensis, past bloom ; Pinus taeda, scattered ; Rhus radicans; Smilax rotundifolia ; violets, mustards, and wild rose. On the plain, on the windward side of the dune is a typical loblolly pine {Pinus taeda) formation with Pinus taeda as the predominant tree, and as undergrowth; Myrica carolinensis, in bloom; Pru- nus serotina, in bloom ; Vaccinium coryfnbosufn, in bloom ; Salix fluviatitis, in bloom ; Ilex opaca; Per sea pubescens ; Quercus nigra; Quercus vir- giniana; Vitis rotundifolia ; Rhus radicans; Ampe- lopsis quinquefolia ; Gelsemium sempervirens, in bloom. The great dune which rises between these forests truly merits its name *'the desert," since on its barren, windswept crest, in far scattered clumps the Ammophila arenaria alone finds sustenance. The smaller torn and shattered dunes along its base and stretching outward are progressively covered with more and more vegetation as they near the sea. Here is one topped with Pa?iicum amaru7n, there another is more securely anchored by Myrica and lianes — later to be torn apart by buffeting forces, roots exposed, leaves and branches buried, and perhaps some long-covered pine brought to the light again. This is a region of changes. That which exists today may be destroyed tomorrow, and that which is a restless mass of sand may be captured by some truant log, rounded into a mound and covered with characteristic vegetation. Forests of the War Zones. MOST of the war zones on the continent of Europe lie in more or less forested regions. ^ Some of the lines of contact between the contending armies pass through or by forests which have been under careful management for a century or more. The presence of forests in such immediate proximity to battle lines implies ex- cessive damage and in some cases complete de- struction. A few forests, such ^s the Argonne, may become well known because of the part they played in the war, but a much larger number will not only lose their forestal fame, but their identity, and in extreme cases their very existence. The total amount of damage already done by or because of the warring armies must be enor- mous. Authentic and complete reports concern- ing the nature and extent of the damage are still wanting, and no doubt will not be available until some time after the war. No one is prepared to state exactly how great the damage now is, or will be at the close of the war. Nevertheless, the very nature and intensity of the conflict, concern- ing which fairly complete and credible reports are available, causes one . to believe that the 136 FOREST LEAVES. damage is not only large in amount but in particular localities almost, if not entirely, irreparable. Many and varied are the factors which enter into a consideration of the total amount of damage done. Two groups, however, stand out prominently above all the rest. They are: (i) the prevalence and condition of the forests at the beginning of the war, and (2) the severity and mobility of the conflict. These two groups of factors have very few points in common along the three main battle fronts; viz: the western front in France and Belgium, the eastern front in western Russia, eastern Prussia and Galicia, and the southeastern front in the eastern Alps and the Balkan states. The forest conditions along these three main fronts differ just as widely as the military operations now in progress along them. It is not the object of this article to discuss the military operations concerning which our daily papers and periodical publications give us ample and fairly authentic information, but rather to describe the condition, prevalence, and economic significance of the forests embraced within the destructive clutches of this gigantic and prolonged struggle. The writer traveled afoot — prior to the outbreak of war — over large areas of rural Europe, particularly the heavily forested ])ortion, and in a few instances traversed the very spots now dissected with tortuous lines of trenches. It is difficult, even for one having been upon the ground, to picture the transformation that is tak- ing place. Today bare, unproductive, and erup- tive areas indistinctly mark the sites of former fertile field and finished forests. Forests were common in the western war zone, embracing a part of northern France and almost all of Belgium, when the conflict began, and showed evidence of careful management that must have extended back at least fifty years and in some cases a full century. Belgium alone had 1, 2 v^o, 000 acres of productive forest land valued at $100,000,000. The province of Namur, in which such heavy fighting took place shortly after the beginning of the war had 31 per cent of its total area wooded. The forests of l^^elgium were among the most productive of Europe before the war, yielding 1.7 cords per acre and year. Since the war began this area has not only been con- siderably reduced in acreage, but what is more lamentable the remaining forests have lost all the ''earmarks" of that careful management which characterized them in the past. That the people of Belgium will feel the loss of their clean, attractive, productive, and well- organized forests is most certainly true. The small forest acreage in proportion to the popula- tion— only two-tenths of an acre per inhabitant — and the industrial conditions, recommended an intensive management of all areas suitable for the growth of trees. The native forests in spite of their high productivity — 1.7 cords per acre and year — yielded only a small portion of the total amount of wood consumed by this most densely populated civilized country — 660 inhabitants per square mile. About $28,500,000 worth of wood was imported annually, some of it coming from the United States. For many years the demand for wood has been so great that every square foot of ground not required for other more important purposes has been used for the production of this much-needed product. About 84,000 cords were obtained annually from trees bordering roads and canals. These trees, however, did much more than yield wood, for they made the thoroughfares attractive and comfortable, and in some instances produced choice fruit. Few countries could boast of such inviting and distinctive highways, byways and waterways as Belgium before the war. These attractive and useful avenues of communication helped, in a measure, to satisfy and solidify its citizenry, and develop a pardonable patriotic pride in its soldiers. The kind of forest ownership that prevailed in Belgium at the outbreak of the war presents a sad aspect. Private individuals and small commun- ities owned 93.8 per cent of the total area, the state and institutions owning the remaining 6.2 per cent. The loss under such a decentralized form of ownership is certainly felt much more keenly than in countries such as Germany where the several states own 31.9 per cent and private individuals only 46.5 per cent, the remninder belonging to the crown, communities, municipal- ities, and institutions. When one thinks how slowly forests grow and how difficult it is to re- construct them, one's pity naturally goes forth not only to the altruistic and beneficent people who were building them up, but also to the oncoming generations for whom they were being developed. A rich heritage for subsequent generations was in the process of development, but the sudden onrush of an enraged neighbor with no respect for pro- perty or posterity, and the necessary destructive , activities of the defenders of the homeland, soon converted this prospective heritage into acres of desolation. j The forests of northern France differ little from ! those of Belgium in condition, composition and ' ownership. The hardwoods — chiefly oak and \ beech — comprise from 70 to 80 per cent of the i total. Scotch pine, the leading conifer, was limited to the poorer soils which locally comprised rather extensive areas. In the region south of Forest Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 9. STAND OF SCOTCH PINE PLANTED 32 YEARS AGO. Over 100,000 acres of waste land south of Rheims, France, have been planted with Scotch e since 1830, mostly by private owners. It is also the prevailini; tree in eastern Prussia P>ne and western Russia, forming very extensive pure stands. MOTHER AND SON PLANTING SCOTCH PINE SEEDLINGS. This small privately-owned patch of land was spaded garden-fashion by the wife and son of the owner. The seedlings were purchased from a local forester at $1.50 per thousand. Little branches of Scotch pine, saved from a previous cutting operation and shown on heaps, were stuck into the ground alongside of the tiny one-year old seedlings to protect them from browsing animals, drought, and sun-scald. Forest Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 9. PEASANT CARRYING FAGGOTS HOME FOR FUEL. A mixed beech and oak forest typical of Belgium, France and central-west (lermany. Competition is keen for the privilege of collecting the branchwood, and as a result the forests are clean and the fire hazard reduced to a minimum. A SUPPLY OF WOOD FOR SUNDAY. Peasant women of western (Germany returning from the -"J™""^^^^^^^^^^ ^^.''^^X wood which they were allowed to gather on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. 1 eople who arTin dire need of branchwood cannot afford to have their forests destroyed. KoRtsT Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 9. STAND OF SCOTCH PINE PLANTED 32 YEARS AGO. Over 100,000 acres of waste land south of Rheims, France, have been planted with Scotch pine since 1830, mostly by private owners. It is also the i)revailini; tree in eastern Prussia and western Russia, forniin<; very extensive pure stands. MOTHER AND SON PLANTING SCOTCH PINE SEEDLINGS. This small privately-owned patch of land was spaded garden-fashion by the wife and son of the owner. The seedlinj^s were purchased from a local forester at Si. 50 per thousand. Little branches of Scotch pine, saved from a previous cutting operation and shown on heaps, were stuck into the ground alongside of the tiny one-year old seedlings to protect them from browsing animals, drought, and sun-scald. FoRKST Lkavks, Vol. xv., No. 9. PEASANT CARRYING FAGGOTS HOME FOR FUEL. A mixed beech and oak forest typical of Belgium, France and central-west (iermany. Competition is keen for the privilege of collecting the branch wood, and as a result the forests are clean and the tire hazard reduced to a minimum. A SUPPLY OF WOOD FOR SUNDAY. iVa'^ant women of western (Iermany returning from the communal forest with pine branch- woo I wl 1 Therwere allowed to gather on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. People X are n di e neecl of branchwood cannot afford to have the.r forests destroyed. FOREST LEAVES. 137 Rheims extensive limestone wastes occurred at the \ at the beginning of the last century. About 1807 1 a movement was started to reforest these wastes. ' Little was accomplished, however until about 1830 when reforestation began on a large scale. ; Just before the war began over 200,000 acres of \ this waste land had been stocked with trees, mostly Scotch pine. The outstanding feature of this remarkable accomplishment is the commendable fact that most of this vast area was not restored to a condition of superpristine productivity by the state or nation, but by numerous self sacrificing owners of small holdings. Year after year the small woodlot owners upon clearing their land, again prepared it — often by spading or ploughing — for another forest crop, fully realizing that they would never live to harvest it. The new crops, as a rule, were established by planting small seedlings furnished by local foresters at a very reasonable price, usually the cost of production. It is the cherished hope of the friends of Penn- sylvania forestry that the private forest tree plant- ing propaganda recently inaugurated will be productive of results equal to those of F>ance and Belgium, but it is also their sincere prayer that the resulting stands may never be visited by the destructive agencies of conflicting armies. That the line of endeavor along which these private owners were progressing was commendable and producing results is shown by the phenomenal rise of land prices. The very areas which sold for S4 per acre before afforestation began were selling for $75 to $125 per acre just prior to the war. The sad part of this narrative is the regrettable fact that these numerous areas of forest land upon which so much private effort and money had been spent were either destroyed or damaged heavily during the battle of the Marne. Areas of forest devastation and destruction do not occur in local spots, but are distributed throughout northern France and all of Belgium. The great size of the contending armies, the severe, frequent and often ])rolonged battles, and the almost stationary ])Osilion of the battle line causes one to conclude that the damage is so great that an overestimate would be difficult. One may be able to compre- hend in part the existing conditions in northern I'rance from an announcement in the bulletin of the Southern Pine Association of January, 17, 1916, which states that *'Bids are being asked for 52,000,000 feet of southern yellow pine by the French (lovernment, presumably for the erection of 10,000 houses which it has planned to build in northern France following the war." Forest conditions along the eastern front m eastern Prussia, western Russia and Galicia stand in strong contrast with those found along the western front. The forests are larger in size, cover a much greater percentage of the total land area, and are composed almost entirely of ever- green species which comprise from 85 to 90 per cent of the stands, while along the western front not more than 20 per cent were evergreens. The forest structure is also much simpler, in fact, so simple and uniform over vast areas that it be- comes monotonous, especially to an American, who is accustomed to find from 50 to 100 species of tree in one locality. Scotch pine and Norway spruce are the only common and important species. The former occurs in extensive pure stands on the sandy plains and in rolling country. It is at its optimum in the Baltic provinces of Prussia and the Riga district of Russia where it attains a large size, possesses straight and clean trunks, has uniform growth rings, and produces much pitch. The Norway spruce increases in abundance as one goes northward or ascends the mountains. Beyond Riga the White Birch be- comes a distinctive feature of the forest, however, not on account of its abundance but rather due to its conspicuous white bark. Forests in which it in rather common, are often called *Svhite forests" in contradistinction to the * 'black forests" of evergreens. The damage and destruction along the eastern front has extended over an enormous territory due to the great length and the continuously changing position of the battle line. As a rule the degree of destruction has not been so complete nor the extent of damage so great in any one locality as along the western front, but a much greater area has been covered by the almost con- tinuously retreating and advancing armies. The total amount of wood already used, damaged, and destroyed must be enormous. The loss, while large in amount, will however probably not be felt so keenly as in Belgium and northern France, where a much larger i)ercentage of the forests were privately owned. Furthermore, a greater per- centage of the total land area along the eastern front was still wooded, thus making wood a less expensive commodity on account of the larger supply still available. The loss is not limited to the immediate vicinity of the forested regions but extends even to foreign lands. Russia was a great wood exporting country before the war. About 60 per cent of the export wood left through Baltic ports. Riga, the ob- jective point of one of the German armies, in the environs of which much fighting has recently taken place, led all other Baltic ports in the exportation of wood. Through this port alone about 18,500,- 000, oco cubic feet of wood, mostly Scotch pine, left annually for foreign countries, principally 3 'l)^ 138 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 23/ 139 Great Britain. ' Since shipping ceased, both wood- producing and wood-consuming industries have become paralyzed, and as a result many homes, before adequately supplied with wood and wooden commodities, are now in dire want of this indis- pensable product. J- S. Illick. (To be continued.) The Silvicultural Consideration of Forest | Conditions in Pennsylvania. \ IN the article *' Silviculture for Pennsylvania," i which appeared in the April issue of Forest Leaves, the conclusion was reached that there is needed a carefully formulated silvicultural policy for future forestry work in this State. The questions are at once raised : What should this policy be ? and, What basis is there on which it can be formu- lated? Such questions can be answered only in a general sense. A policy laid out for a whole state, with its many State Forests which differ climatic- ally and in many other respects, cannot hope to deal specifically with each forest. It can trace only the outlines of the larger divisions of the state and indicate the broader regulations, all of which must be subject to modification on the individual ! forest. A considerable basis for such a policy exists in data, gathered from many sources, deal- ing with conditions in both the primeval and the present stands. As far as forestal consideration of the State is concerned, we need to examine at the present time only two physiographic divisions. Practically all state owned land is in these two divisions. The larger and more varied of the two is commonly known as the Alleghany Plateau Region. It embraces a larger proportion of the northern and western parts of the State and contains many State Forests as well as thousands of acres which will ultimately become state land if the best interests of the Commonwealth are considered. The forest flora of this upland belongs to the type-group of Northern Hardwoods, or beech-birch-maple. It was originally covered by a hardwood forest in which white pine and hemlock were present in varying proportions, according to soil and moisture conditions. The hemlock was heavier on northern slopes and in the valleys. White pine and pitch pine were more common on the southern and drier aspects. On the better soils of the plateau proper, the hardwoods and white pine were heavier. In places there was an extension of the hardwoods of the more southern regions. This plateau region has a mean annual tempera- ture of from 45-48° F. Its climatic data are very unsatisfactory. The figures are taken from ** Climatology of the United States" by Henry. The stations from which the records were secured are all located in valleys. There is no record given on the plateau proper. The valleys suffer more from frosts than the more elevated portions. The mean temperature of the growing season, June to September inclusive, is 67° F. This is proba- bly too long a season for much of the region. At the Asaph nursery killing frosts have been noted in June and August. The extension of the southern hardwoods into the plateau may indicate higher temperatures for some of the more elevated parts. The soils of the plateau and the upper slopes are derived from the rocks of the carboniferous and sub-carboniferous. Some of the region has been subject to glacial action. The soils vary greatly in depth and fertility within short distan- ces. Some land is owned that may ultimately be classed as agricultural. A good deal of it could be classed as grazing land at the present time. All of this land has been lumbered from two to four times, and has been burned repeatedly. The cover at present ranges from isolated second growth of some value to sumach and berry bushes. Much of the larger proportion is covered with valueless scrubby coppice, ferns, bird cherry, and poplar. There are occasional stands of pitch pine. Riding from DuBois north on the B., R. & P. R. R. or from Salamanca south to Williamsport on the P. R. R., or from Ansonia west on the B. cS: S. R. R., the traveller sees such a growth for hours. It is one of the most impressive lessons in human improvidence. The once busy villages have rotted into oblivion, except where a stray vein of coal maintains a polyglot population. The most unfortunate feature presented by this vast **Area of Desolation " is its present economic situation. In the midst of an industrial State, it is comparatively uninhabited. The hunter may travel fifty miles in a direct line without finding a human habitation. The railroads are less fre- quently found than they were twenty-five years ago when the timber was being cut. Only the low grades of the Susquehanna leading to the north and west attract the railroad. Consequently the forest of the future will present a problem of trans- portation which will be far more difficult than is usually associated with the idea of an industrial State. This will adversely affect the price of , stumpage. A market for thinnings will be lacking for many years, ])erhaps a full rotation. There are few wagon roads, no local industries, no work- men. This country must he developed anew in every way. The silvicultural policy is comparatively simple. The only possibility is artificial regeneration on a vast scale. A good natural stand cannot be ex- pected in five hundred years. Here and there is a seed tree. The nurse growth is present. Some hardwood coppice may be found. But, except for pitch pine in occasional stands, there is nothing approaching a future forest. The planting must be done extensively, perhaps three hundred trees to the acre. The species used will depend on the aspect, soil, and present stand. On the north aspects white pine and spruce should be used. On the deeper soils of the plateau white pine, red pine, rock oak, and ash are suitable. On the southern aspects white and pitch pine should be mixed with hardwoods. White pine should probably never be ])lanted pure as it is so often at present. The sur- veys by Pinchot and others, and personal inspec- tion of the virgin forest in several counties, show that a pure stand is not in accord with the natural habits of the tree. In all the mixtures mentioned above it is assumed that some beech, birch, and maple will be present. The use of foreign species should only be allowed after a careful comparison of the natural and proposed habitats, and wit'^ ])roof of the place of harvest of the seed. It is known that white pine and red pine ov top the fern in about five years. Spruce is mu slower in its development, but it is not know^n ju how long it will take to reach the same height. Larch has done well where protected from late frost. The oaks and pitch pine have not been tried much, but it is known that the pitch pine regenerates very well where seed trees are present. Thus the policy outlined above is original only in its insistence on the mixed stand and in the small number of trees to be used per acre. These points are urged on both silvicultural and economic grounds. The mixed stand is necessary for the best de- velopment of the white pine because of its rela- tively greater tolerance, rapid growth, and sus- ceptibility to the weevil. The latter insect is ruining the pure plantations which have been made. Silviculture has known since the time of (xaver that the mixed stand is the best protection against organic agencies. Lately the Blister Rust and other injurious fungous diseases have been found working on the white pine. The pure stand makes the spread of such diseases very easy. Ikit were the mixed stand not necessary silvi- culturally, it would certainly be so economically. The conditions of transportation and market set forth above point to the necessity of a low cost of establishment ; hence the small number per acre, scattered through the more open places in the present growth. In the previous paper it was con- tended that the future competition of water-trans- ported timber from the world market would limit the demand. Hence, there is necessity for a larger number of species, meeting a wider range of uses. adapted to the locality and the local industries. It ia barely possible that the above scheme is too exclusively coniferous for the given conditions. Perhaps the hardwoods present in coppice form ought to be encouraged to a greater extent. There ought also to be pointed out the truth of Dr. Rothrock's contention that grazing on the plateau areas of greater fertility is economically demanded. The growing urban population of the State, the increasing cost of meat, and the lack of prospect of relief, should cause us to utilize every resource adapted to relieve the demand made by such conditions. The State fails to fulfil its duties to its citizens if it does not make the best use of its land. Cattle transport themselves and thrive in this region where grazing is practiced by the inhabitants. Even if not financially as paying as forests would be, cattle should be favored where the land is suitable and denudation would not suit. Grazing would be possible on the plateau proper. It should be prohibited on the slopes, where erosion would result. The President 'of State College in a recent letter to the *' Public Ledger ' ' advocates such grazing of steep lands. No greater calamity could be imagined. It is bsolutely impractical. S^lie second physiographic region of interest in this"3fscussion is that of the elongated ridges with intervening fertile agricultural valleys, which lies south and east of the plateau region. It has a general northeast-southwest trend, and is sharply cut by the main rivers of the state. This region has a mean annual temperature of 50° F., a grow- ing season mean of over 70° F., and the growing season is at least three weeks longer than that of the plateau. The ridges, on which are located the State Forests of this region, are mountains of erosion and are of two general types. They are either narrow and sharp, or, if somewhat broader, are topped by narrow plateaus. Both are charac- terized by numerous benches where the upper sand- stone gives way to shales. The sandstone ridges and slopes have a shallow dry soil on which are found pitch and table mountain pine. The soil of the slopes and benches, resulting from the dis- integration of shales, often a result of faults, is deep and fertile. It is covered by a coppice growth of Central Hardwood species with chestnut and rock oak predominating. Where fires have been most severe, the growth consists only of scrub oak. On the best soils, white oak, yellow poplar, red oak, and hickory, form a considerable per- centage of the mixture. The agricultural soils of the valleys are usually of limestone origin and have woodlots of white oak and hickory. Short- leaf pine is found occasionally in the southern portions of the Region. N 140 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 3 33 141 The forests of this Region are of coppice origin. Many of them were owned by iron furnace com- panies and were cut on a twenty-five to thirty year rotation. Because of repeated fires this coppice has deteriorated in quality and the stools are m a decaying condition. The chestnut blight is very prevalent— and chestnut, which forms such a con- siderable proportion of the mixture, must be elimi- nated from consideration. Large numbers of stands are even aged and many forests have rather clear cut age-classes present, though they are not com- plete. , 1 • Economically this Region is much better situ- ated than that first considered. The intervening valleys are well populated by prosperous farmers. Industrial centers are more common. Cordwood is often marketable. The market for acid wood, ties, posts, and other small material is constantly improving. The means for transportation are much better than those of the other region. On the old furnace properties, road systems are well developed. There is usually a railroad in the vallev. Silviculturally, then, there is a better prospect for this region. Two principal problems are pre- sent, the scrub oak areas, and the coppice areas. The first has for its object the elimination of a weed ; the second is concerned with the replace- ment of a deteriorated coppice stand by a com- posite forest or a seed forest. The scrub oak areas ^ are farthest from market and on the poorest sites. > They will not need the immediate attention that the coppice areas demand. Meantime experiments are being carried on to find the species and methods best suited to solve the problem. On the one hand, direct elimination by cutting, burning, cutting all but one sprout, has been tried. This has been unsuccessful. In two years the growth is more dense than before. The expense is unjustified. On the other hand, elimination by competition is being tried White pine, Norway spruce, Euro- pean larch, white ash, pitch pine, Scotch pine, and other species are being used. Up to this time the result is uncertain. White pine and spruce promise well. After five years white pine is healthy and growing steadily. Direct seeding on such areas has been unsuccessful. The formulation of a cor- rect policy for these areas must await th ; outcome of these experiments. The coppice transformation problem is the im- mediate concern on many State Forests. The ever improving market is making it possible to formu- late and carry out a definite silvicultural policy. Three methods of transformation are being used. Where there is a small percentage of good material present, the stand may be either underplanted or cut clear, and the cutting followed by planting. If underplanted, the operation should be carried out in the fortieth to the fiftieth year of the stand, following an improvement cutting designed to re- duce the percentage of the chestnut present. As the plantation develops the chestnut should be re- moved and any oak regeneration favored. The severity of the cutting will depend somewhat upon the tolerance of the species to be used for planting, and upon the possibilities of oak regeneration. The species used for underplanting will depend upon the site quality. W^hite pine and spruce are well adapted for the colder, and pitch pine and shortleaf pine for the warmer sites. The difficulty of securing shortleaf pine seed has hindered ex- perimentation with it. Where present it produces well and shows considerable tolerance in youth. The result of this operation will be a mixed com- posite forest of conifers and hardwoods. Such a stand will satisfy the local demands of the future. If clear cutting precedes planting, one or more clear cuttings of the sprouts will be necessary be- fore the plantation is established. This makes this method more expensive than the preceding one. A variation of this method leaves one sprout to the stool in the first clearing of the sprouts. This reduces the energy of the new^ sprouts and offers some protection^ to the plantation. Where the stand is composed of better species a third method of transformation is used. By cutting out the chestnut and weeds, a fine regeneration of oak is ! secured. ^Fhis is really a two cutting shelterwood and has been very successful. Good examples may be seen on the Mont Alto and Buchanan State Forests. On the Mont Alto forest experiments are under way to find how well rock oak will re- cover from suppression in stands where the chest- nut has dominated. If such a recovery is made, natural regeneration by a shelterwood will be possible in a few years. A silvicultural policy for the State Forests, therefore, must be adapted to the silvicultural and economic conditions. It must be based on careful experimentation and investigation. The coppice stands of the central and southern forests present the immediate problem. Plantation work in the northern region must be based on a most careful study of the site and the species requirements. It should be carried out on the sites best situated economically. Only careful experimental planting should be made on the most remote areas. Only the mixed stand is justifiable. For all nursery and plantation work a careful study of seed sources is necessary. As long as the position of Engler, Ciesler, and others is not suc- cessfully combated the most minute scrutiny of seed sources is demanded. Seed must be followed through the nursery into the plantation so that future records will show exactly wnth what regional ''variety" the plantation is made. In the Mont Alto nursery each purchase of seed is alloted a separate section and the plants sent out will be described as Pennsylvania, or New York, or Ver- mont, white pine, etc. , in all cases. In a state in which it is almost out of the question to gather the seed necessary for nursery work, this precaution is doubly important. Of course, as much seed as possible must be gathered within the State. With a careful record kept of all experimenta- tion, and with a central bureau comparing and analyzing such records, the Department of Forestry will soon be in positon to formulate a complete silvicultural policy for the diff'erent State Forests, fully adapted to their individual differences. George A. Ret an. Extracts from the Report of the Chief Forest Fire Warden. THERE is no longer any question as to the value of forests and the necessity for their protection and economic management. . The benefits of well-cared-for forests are well recognized, and yet the everyday attitude toward ; forests does not correspond with what is generally believed to be the attitude which every citizen should have, whether a timber owner or not. In caring for forests, as in the management of any other property, the foundation principle at stake is protection, and undoubtedly the one factor ^ against which we have to work most is the forest ' fi^re. A timber land owner may practice the most reasonable methods of forestry, including natural and artificial regeneration, all classes of improve- ment cuttings, a careful harvesting of the crop, and yet if the i)roperty is subject to damage from fires and protection therefrom not provided, all of the other things are practically lost. Any man who would conduct a business in such a way as not to provide reasonable protection for his in- vestment and carry insurance, would be called an unsafe business man, and, in fact, few people would hesitate to call him a fool. The fact that forests influence the flow of streams beneficially is no longer disputed. The greatest f^ictor in this influence is the humus which makes up the forest floor. This humus is the natural reservoir which Nature has provided upon the high lands and slopes for the retention of precipitation, for its filtration, and for making possible the gradual percolation of moisture into the subsoil. Once this humus is destroyed, all of Nature s pro- visions are unbalanced, and even though the high lands were covered with a splendid growth ot trees, without the humus underneath them little or no beneficial influence upon streams would be felt. Forest fires destroy this humus. This condition of affairs brings out the fact that there is another party in the case aside from the individual owner of timber land. Under con- ditions such as exist in Pennsvlvania, there are many timber owners who simply could not provide adequate protection from forest fires without in- viting financial ruin. In other words, the invest- ment which they now have in forest property will not bear the additional outlay necessary to protect the investment satisfactorily. On the other hand, the individual owner in nine cases out of ten is not the only one who suffers because of the de- struction of the humus, but the community at large. Consequently the latter has an interest in seeing that fires are suppressed, and therefore it is reasonable to ask that help be given the individual owners in protecting their timber land from fire. Even antedating the beginning of our Com- monwealth, there were laws against the setting of forest fires, but practically no attention was paid to them until it was not uncommon to find people who thought that forest fires were a part of the ! natural order of things, and in many cases that : belief still remains. In more recent days, since the development of the forestry idea in Pennsyl- vania, efl'orts have been made to solve the forest fire problem, but it is not solved yet. The greatest difficulty in the way is the ignorance and indiffer- ence of the people. If they could only realize that every year we are permitting the burning up of * millions of dollars' worth of property, and bring- ing upon ourselves untold miseries as an indirect result of these fires, it is believed that some change in the general attitude would result. If, in any one of our towns or cities, there were a fire which would destroy, in a short period of time, a million dollars' worth of property, there would not be a newspaper in the country which would not deplore the tremendous loss. The chances are that an in- vestigation would be made into the management : of the fire department, and everybody would be aroused to the necessity of preventing the re- I currence of such a tremendous loss. Again, if all ' of the indirect losses which come from forest fires, namely, loss of life; of property other than timber; inconveniences because of lack of water and the consequent sickness and death ; loss of wages and taxes ; depriving the citizens of game and fish for a number of years ; placing a community in the midst of desolation, and so forth : if these losses could be put before the people definitely in dollars and cents, the whole State would open up its sympathetic heart and try to alleviate the loss. Probably some efl'ort would be made to prevent a 3^ H J3^ 142 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 343 similar catastrophe happening again in that par- ticular community, but it is a large question as to whether or not any general preventive measures : would be taken to forestall the occurrence of a similar calamity in any of the other communities of the State, ^ ^ \ Because of forest fires there are at least 5,000,000 I acres in Pennsylvania which are kept in a non- productive state, and this vast area is constantly increasing. Some of this land is now in such con- dition that it will never be able to produce any- thing in the way of tree growth. Much ot it however, is still in such shape that tree growth could be restored, but with repeated fires and with continuing erosion, the absolutely and perma- nently barren land is also on the increase. At a minimum figure, the citizens of this Common- wealth are losing $20,000,000 a year because ot the non- production of timber that might be grow- ing upon these areas. What is lost from the in- direct effects of such an area of desolation, in the way of floods, destruction of agricultural lands, ill health, loss of life, and loss of industries other than lumbering, no one can figure out. Truly, we are an extravagant people, burning up millions of dollars and sitting supinely by and watching the smoke. r t. /- While it is true that it is the duty of the Com- monwealth to take care of its own interests, both as a timber land owner, and because of the benefits of forests to society, it must be distinctly under- stood that the Com.monwealth is made up of the people within its borders. The results of forest ^ fires touch the lives of every individual within the Commonwealth, and therefore it is the duty of every individual to do his share, not simply in the suppression of forest fires, but in their ])revention, and the attitude of the Commonwealth from this | time forward must be that of prevention and not merely that of extinction. Forestry is one branch of the conservation movement, and the protection of forests from fire is a part of forestry. Safety first in forest manage- ment is just as wise and just as important as in manufacturing or in railroading ; in fact more so. Industries could continue without the safety first idea being developed very far, but in the case of forests, forestry is not possible without ])rotection from fire. Any system of forestry is doomed, is the limit of inefficiency, if forest fires are not sup- pressed. There are approximately 8,000,000 acres of so- called forest land in Pennsylvania. All of it is exposed to the curse of fire. An average of 500,000 acres burns over each year. Most of it is burned over once every ten years. No system of forest management can flourish under such con- ditions. The direct loss from these fires is close to $1,000,000 a year, and the indirect loss is in- calculable. No people can forever suff'er such a useless loss, nor is it sensible to expect them to. The mere fact that they do not realize the loss is no excuse for the State's permitting the conditions to exist. But as a safety measure the Legislature has per- mitted the expenditure of $2,300,000 to purchase 1,000,000 acres of land, and an additional inade- quate sum of $1,250,000 for the development of that land, most of which will require an expendi- ture of $25 per acre to place it in productive shape. It limits the purchase price per acre to $10, and expects the Department of Forestry to protect and and develop its own forests with an additional $1.25 per acre to date, and an annual expenditure of about twenty cents per acre. Even if adequately supported, the State's 1,000,000 acres in good condition will not offset the harm of the other 7 000,000 in desolate condition. It authorizes the planting of seedlings, but fails to prevent the burning uj; of millions of little trees for every thousand planted. It inadequately provides for what the State itself already owns ; it is satisfied to appropriate $250,000 toward an experiment to eliminate the chestnut blight, but sees fit to ap- propriate onlv $45,000 for two years to protect the total area of 8,000,000 acres in accordance with a plan which is not an experiment, but which has proved its efficiency in other states and upon our own State Forests. Surely it is cheaper, at $100,000 or even $200,000 per year, to protect all the forests from fire than it is to appropriate $45,000 for two years and permit the people and the State to lose from $20,000,000 to $50,000,000 each year. Since June ist, 1909, the appropriations tor forest fires have been as follows : Period covereH. Amt. a>ked. Amt. granttd. Tune I, 1909, 10 lune I, 191 1 $8o,coo $50,000 lune I, iQii, to lune i, 1913 f6o,oco $50,000 June I, 1913, to 'lune i, I9«5 ^50,000 $50,000 June I, 1915. to June I, 19^7 |>50,ooo |-i5»ooo This shows a total appropriation used for forest fires from June i 1909, to June i, i9i5» amount- ing to $150,000, which amount was increased by deficiency appropriations to a grand total of $177,162.37, or an average of $29,527 per year. The average for the two years June i, 1909, to June I, 191 1, was $40,39782, which is almost as much as has been set aside for the reorganization of an efficient system of wardens and for fire pre- vention and extinction during two years. Surely the organization must be at the highest pitch of efficiency at once— which is impossible— or the forest fire seasons during the next two years must be extremely unfavorable for conflagrations, which is not probable, or the Legislature must be asked for a large deficiency, which is certain, and which is poor business. If should be noted that four deficiency appro- priation bills, carrying amounts aggregating $48,- 000, or almost a fourth of the total appropriations, were passed between 1909 and 191 5. The original appropriations, as well as these de- ficiency ones, were used only for paying bills for the extinction of forest fires. The amount spent for work which could be called prevention was inconsiderable. This makes more apparent the folly of allowing $22,500 a year for extinction and prevention combined, when past experience proves that this sum is insufficient for extinction alone. Both Massachusetts and New York appropriate a cent per acre per year for fire protection. The average acreage per fire in Massachusetts in 1914 (the latest figures) was 12)^ acres. In New York the average acreage per fire in 1914 was 33^ acres, while in Pennsylvania in 191 3 it was 508 ; in 19 14, 305 ; and in 191 5, 300. Pennsylvania appropriated three-tenths of a cent per acre. This is a tremendous indictment against the people, and the fire protective system which they have pro- vided. An effective organization is possible, and Pennsylvania ought to have it. One of our ^vardens in a fire-infested district in Fulton county, reports as follows: *^\fter re- ceiving those posters and small circulars, I made a trip over my township and posted the large cards in all stores and postoffices, and in several other jHiblic places. Just laht week I took another day and visited all our public schools. I left with each teacher a large poster and instructed them to l)Ost it conspicuously on the inside of the school room where it would not get destroyed, and I left with each teacher sufficient of the small circulars to give -a copy to each pupil of the school. I gave a little talk in each school, such as I thought suitable, and urged each pupil to read every word and re read it, and if there was anything they could not understand or could not read, to have the teacher, parents, or some one else read or ex plain. I al^o asked the teachers to make them- selves familiar with the contents of the circular before they handed them out, and to give some explanation on them, as I thought a few words from the teacher might do more good than all a stranger could say." This warden also presented ( onditions to the District Attorney of his county, and spoke and wrote to others who, he thought, might use their influence in the woik. As a result of his activities, he was booted at, (ailed all sorts of names, accused of wasting time and charging the State for it, and more or less annoyed in various other ways. Anonymous letters about his educational activities were ad- dressed to this office, but the gentleman is still a forest fire warden, and because of his interest and loyalty we may expect a change of sentiment in his township before long. It is unfortunate that we do not have more wardens as energetic as he has been. In 1916 there is a great amount of work which must be done to complete the reorganization of the forest protective system. The force of wardens must be completed with, the aid of foresters and others interested in the work. As much as possible must be done to instruct the wardens in their duties, and to keep them interested. Where county organizations are com- plete, meetings should held so that the men may get to know each other and plan for cooperation A forest fire warden's manual should be prepared early in the year. Means must be found for letting the people of the State know who are fire wardens, and how the one needed can be reached. Plans must be formulated for additional coop- eration on the part of other branches of the State Government, timber land owners, various es- tablished organizations, and any one who will help prevent forest fires. Rules and regulations must be drafted under which the railroads will do their share toward eliminating fire loss, and at the same time arrange- ments must be made for an extension of fire breaks along rights of way on a cooperative basis. New protective organizations must be formed if possible. The State must be districted according to wage scale, and for the future establishment of a system of outlook stations. • If possible, a start must be made upon the forest map of the State. A general campaign of publicity must be carried on during the entire year by means of posters, circulars, news items, lectures, etc. This is a large ])rogram, but it is not all that ought to be done to put Pennsylvania where it should be with respect to the protection of its forests. Most fires are preventable. All nuist be detected cjuickly. Notice of fire must be communicated quickly to some one whose business it is to extinguish it. Men and necessary equipment must be available and preliminary organization for fire fighting must be made. This force and equijm-ient must begin action (luickly after a fire starts. ■i^ ^ 144 FOREST LEAVES. The fire must be stopped first where it is burn- ing hardest. Valuable timber or other property must be saved before that of little value is looked after. A meeting of the Southern Forestry Congress will be held at Asheville, N. C, on July iT-i5th, 1916. It will be under the joint patronage of the Association of Eastern Foresters, the North Caro- lina Forestry Association, the Weeks Law Collabo- rator's Conference and the proposed Association of Southern Foresters. The cooperation of all the lumbering and forestry organizations covering the Southern States has been asked. New Publications. Forest Pathology in Forest Regulation. By E. P. Meinecke, Forest Pathologist, United States | Department of Agriculture. Bulletin No. 275. This bulletin, comprising 62 pages and 6 tables, blazes a path into a new field of investigation. The author shows the applied feature of the science of forest pathology, which is just beginning to be recognized as an important branch of forestry, by pointing out its close interrelation with forest reg- ulation. He limits himself in his treatment almost entirely to the national forests of the west, particu- larly the region embracing the range of the White Fir {Alfies concolor), but the method of treat- ment and fundamental discussions should be of great interest to readers of forestry literature in general. Report of the Director of Forestry of Canada for the year igiS' Department of Interior, Ottawa,Can. An excellent report comprising 102 well-printed and informative pages with 23 instructive photo- graphic illustrations. It embraces reports of the director, the chief of the tree planting division, 4 district inspectors, and the superintendent of the forest products laboratories of Canada. A Calendar of the Leafing, Flowering, and Seed- ing of the Common Trees of the Eastern United States. By George N. Lamb. Supplement No. 2 Monthly Weather Review. United States Department of Agriculture. An extremely valuable bulletin for foresters in particular and naturalists in general. Tenth Annual Report of the Commissioner of For- estry of Rhode Island. By Jesse B. Mowry, Providence, Rhode Island. A small pamphlet of 18 pages giving fire and plantation statistics and recommendations for future work and needed appropriations. Forest Protection in Canada 1^13-1^14. By Clyde Leavitt, C. D. Howe, and J. H. White. Published by the Commission of Conservation, Ottawa, Canada. This is the most exhaustive and thorough report on Forest Protection yet issued in America. It is in reality an authoritative manual on forest pro- tection and an indispensable volume in the library of every forester. The report is cloth bound, and embraces 317 pages of printed matter, 55 ex- ceptionally fine and instructive photographic illus- trations, and 5 maps and diagrams. The contents of the report is divided in six parts as follows : Pages Part I. The Railway Fire Situation 1-7 1 Part n. Report of the Committee on Forests of the Commission of Conservation . . 72-99 Part III. Forest Fires and the Brush Disposal Problem loa-165 Part IV. The Effect of Repeated Forest Fires upon - the Reproduction of Commercial Spe- cies in Peterborough county, Ontario 166-21 1 The Reproduction of Commercial Species in the Southern Coastal F'orests of British Columbia 212-230 Forestry on Dominion Lands .... 231-274 Appendix 275-276 Index 277-317 Part V Part VI. Teachers' Cottages. By R. S. Kellogg. This extremely interesting and instructive bul- letin of fifty-eight pages should be of great value to all interested in rural education, and to those engaged in the development of social centers, in- cluding forest communities. The teacher' s cottage, alsoknownas ** school manse" and '*teacherage," is a permanent residence for the teacher near or in combination with the schoolhouse. Its relation to the school is similar to that of the parsonage to the church. The author discusses their value and gives detailed instruction concerning their loca- tion, design, structure, and equipment. Numer- ous photographs and ink sketches of floor plans add much value to the bulletin. Teachers' cottages are new in America, but have been in use for a long time in England, Switzer- land, France, Germany, Denmark, and the Scan- dinavian countries. It was an energetic young school teacher in the State of Washington that gave an impetus to the movement in this country, after utterly failing to find a family that would accept her as a boarder. There are now 108 teachers' cottages in twenty-nine of the thirty-nine counties of that State. The movement is extending east- ward, and will no doubt become an important factor in the educational development of the inhabitants of the regions where extensive forests still remain. The bulletin is published by the National Lumbei Manufacturers Association, Chicago, Illinois. ADVKRTISEMKNTS. The Pennsylvania State College FOUR YEAR COURSE IN FORESTRY. A thorough and practical undergraduate course in technical forestr}' — preparing men for all lines of professional and applied forestry. Special attention is paid to practical field work in surveying, mapping and forest measurements. One of the largest of the State Forest Reserves is within a short walk of the College. For information regarding entrance requirements, expenses, etc., address DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, STATE COLLEGE, PA. FOREpT LEi^VEg. THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE Pen nsylvania Forestry Association. 2iiiiiir.;.iiii::,.iiii!!!:::;.""""i|ii' "MiiiiiiiiiiinintiitiiiniiiiiiiiiitKntiiiiiiiiiiiKiiiitiinin'^ '\ Why I not give your | boy and girl an | opportunity to | make their /iome | study easy and | effective f Give | them the same | chances to win pro- j motion and success | as the lad having the | advantage of i WEBSTER^ I I NEW INTERNATIONAL | 1 Dictionary in his home. This new | I creation answers with final author- | I itv all kinds of puzzling questions | I in history, geography, biography, = I spoiling, pronunciation, sports, arts I and sciences. e i 400,000 Vocabulary Terms. 2700Pafte9. | 1 Over 6000 Illustrations. Colored Plates. | i The only dictlonAPy with the Divided Page. ^ I The type matter is equivalent to that = I of a 15-volume encyclopedia. | = More Scholarly, Accurate, Convenient, | i and Authoritative than any other Lng- = = lish Dictionary. | REGULAR I AND 1 INDIA- i J, PAPER I ;J EDITIONS. I JB WRITE for I fipecimcn pages, s ^ illustrations, etc. s Jir FREE, a set of Pocket = Maps if you name this 1 •* paper. = G. & C. MERRIAM CO., | SPRINGFIELD, MASS. | iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiifl '1 = ADVERTISE IN FOREST LEAVES. RATES. I inch, The attention of the advertising public is called to the advantages we offer as a | ^ P^^®» medium. Address, 1012 Walnut Street, >^ Philadelphia, Pa. | x " . insertion. $1.00 4.00 7.00 I2.CO insertions. $4.00 17.00 30.00 50.00 IS insertions. $8.00 34-00 60.00 100,00 i.. •»r '^" /.- r ( \mt^:r< r Ry 'V f Ui^^S^ ■'•*-y'-f?*-%r?M - ,— -„ |-,-nr«f-M-ir.T-i-ri rr- - — ». - ku hi ^^••%^- • '^ • ^ -><" ' AU 0^\ ^ ^^ PUBLISHED BY THE PENNSYIVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION Mk.^ PHILADELPHIA. PA. INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE i3? FOREST LEAVES Published Bi-Monthly. ^r t-> ^ -o SUBSCRIPTION. ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR. The attention of Nurserymen and others is called to the advantages of FOREST LEAVES as an IdvertS medium. Rates will be furnished on application. CONTENTS: -- View of Coniferous plantation, Jacob Nolde Estate, near Reading. Pa. ,„e^ wtrds of'welcome by Mr.' Jonathan Mould'. President of the Berks County Conservation Association ' ' .' r^' ' ♦^^ Response of Dr. J. T.Rothrock President of Pennsylvania Forestry Association.to Address of Welcome. ... J Greeting from the American Forestry Association 4 Forestry in Pennsylvania -A Success or a Failure ^4^ A Little Journey in Birdland '.['.. i6o New Publications THE PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, Founded In June 1886, x * u a of the Membership Committee. 1012 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. President. Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock. Vice-Presidents. Robert S. Conklin, Wm. S. Harvey Albert Lewis, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, Samuel L. Smedley General Secretary, Samuel Marshall. Recording Secretary, F. I.. BItler. Treasurer, Charles E. Pancoast. COMMITTEES OF THE PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION : FINANCE— Dr. Henry M. Fisher, Chairman ; lo^hua L Bailv Henry Howson, 9*^^^^^- Pancoast, josnua L. Daily, inhnson J. Rodman Paul, Eck ey B. Coxe, Jr., Jos. jonnson. Shoemaker Wm. S. Harvey, Albert Lewis, ». W. bhoemaker. LAW-Dr. Henrys. Drinker, Chairman; r-wiUiamc Hon. Marshall Brown, tl?^^"^'^".^* ^"^^^ Geo. F. Craig, W. W. Montgomery, MEMBERSHIP-Albert B.Weimer, Chairman; o_.,,^ Walton Clark Samuel Marshall, f^T^}Ji Smedley, Hon. Robert S Conklin, g^lf^R^ruce^^kett^ John' l^L Webster, Jr., Dr'-H^enrTM Sisher, H.'w^ Shoem^K ' . N- P- Wheeler a C. HiUard, Mrs. Alexander Van Rensselaer, Dr. W. P. Wilson. PUBLICATION-Dr. J. T. Rothrock, Chairman; F. L. Bitler, S. B. Elliott Harrison Souder. Egbert S. Cary, Jos. S. lllick, WORK— Mrs. Brinton Coxe, Chairman ; Mrs. David Reeves, Miss Ethel A. Shrigley, E. E. Wildman. Miss Mary K. Gibson, J. Franklin Meehan, OFFK K OF THE ASHOCUTION, 1012 WALNI T STREET, PHILADELPHIA Published Bi-Monthly. Entered at the Philadelphia Post-Office as second-class matter. Vol. XV.— No. 10 Philadelphia, August, 1916 Whole Number 174 EDITORIALS. rrTHE Mid- Summer Meeting of the Pennsyl- I vania Forestry Association at Reading, Pa. , ^ June 2 7-29th, was a splendid success, both in attendance and addresses. The latter will be published in Forest Leaves in the order in which they were presented, and are worthy of careful study. In the Resolutions adopted, which will be found on another page, are mentioned a few of the many courtesies extended by the the officers and members of the Berks County Conservation Association, and by citizens of Reading. The excursions to Neversink Mountain, Mt. Penn, Antietam Lake, and the suburbs of Reading impressed the visitors with the great natural beauties existing there, while visits to the estates of Jacob Nolde and George D. Horst were revela- tions of what has been accomplished in a few years in the way of reforesting lands which were too poor for paying farming purposes. The cover illustration shows the wonderful growth made in 8 years by cone-bearing trees of different species, which were planted on the Nolde estate on com- paratively poor land, of which 250 acres are now set out. The experiment has been so successful that it is expected to plant a total of about 700 acres in pines. The ideas evidenced in the conservation work in the vicinity of Reading were so well thought of, that at the close of the meeting a resolution was unanimously passed to refer to this work as *' The Berks County Method." * Jic ♦ * * Attention was recently called, editorially, to the White Pine Blister Rust. We would here re- affirm all that was said then as to the serious menace it is to the timber interests of the State. The warning cannot be too frequently, or too loudly, repeated that unless checked, it will develop into a national calamity. The only possible time to check it is now, before it has obtained a firm hold. In order that every one of our members may know what it *' looks like," we insert, in this issue, through the kindness of the Massachusetts Forestry Association and the State of Massachusetts, a colored illustration prepared by the U. S. Depart- ment of Agriculture. The Fungus causing the Blister Rust is one hav- ing two distinct stages, one of which is found on the currants and gooseberries and the other on the White Pine. This will explain what follows as to treatment which we copy from the circular pre- pared by Mr. H. T. Fernald, State Nursery in- spector for Massachusetts : ** The treatment, therefore, is to destroy all pines having the disease as fast as it shows itself on them, and to keep all currants and gooseberries so far away from pines that the disease cannot carry from one to the other in either direction. The distance apart to insure this is not positively known, but it is believed that one-third of a mile or 500 yards should be sufficient. The colored plate gives a picture of a young pine showing the swelling of the stem and also the groups of yellow seeds ready to be blown to currants ( Fig. A). It also shovys cur- rant leaves with the rust on them in the first stage (Fig. B) and in the second stage ( Fig. D ) , and enlarged figures show- ing the appearance of the rust under the microscope in the first stage ( Fig. C). To find the disease, look on the pines from the first of May till the end of June. • •- On the currants it shows from the middle of July till the leaves drop in the fall. Currants free in July and August may catch the disease during the summer from others, and first show it in Septem- ber. Black currants are attacked more generally than other kinds of currants or gooseberries." If any indications of the disease are found in Pennsylvania on currants, gooseberries (wild or cultivated), or on white pines, they should be promptly forwarded to the Department of Forestry at Harrisburg— ^//Z packed so carefully as to pre- vent the escape of the reproductive bodies which spread the infection. Early detection of the disease, wherever it exists, is a patriotic duty, in which all are asked *'to lend a hand." J- T. R. The District Forester in Monroe County, Pa., reports that in the spring of 19 16, there were but 16 forest fires in that county, burning 541 acres, with an estimated loss of $1,057. The cost of extinguishment was $119.37- This is a gratifying contrast with the spring of 1915, when, owing to a prolonged drought and high winds 12,000 acres were burned over. v> % ?31 146 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 147 Words of Welcome by Mr. Jonathan Mould, President of the Berks County Conservation Association. IN behalf of our local Conservation Association , and being so closely allied with your organi- zation, I have the pleasure and the privilege of bidding you a hearty welcome on this occasion. I know I also voice the sentiment of our mayor and other city officials when I speak the same words for them. We are certainly pleased, very proud and highly appreciate the choosing of our city for your conference, and we hope you will find your experience with us both pleasant and profitable. We know it will prove of great benefit to our Association and to our citizens in general. We are beginners in this line— need the in- struction you can give and we are anxious to learn. We are glad to see the names of so many prominent and well informed persons on the pro- gram, men of experience and practical knowledge who rank high in this activity and who can furnish the instruction and advice desired. We realize fully the importance and necessity of the work in relation to forestry. A great many people are unconcerned on this subject and have an idea that the forest can take care of itself. Something must be done to arouse a greater and stronger interest among those who own and manage these extensive areas of our State. They must be looked after in such a way that they will be pre- served or restored if future generations are to be permitted to enjoy the same privileges and com- forts that heretofore have been the good fortune of those of the past. As intimated, I think we have with us here at this meeting the men who are able and efficient to push along this great work to a successful continuance at least. We also want you men to be informed as to what our city and its environs really are. It is our desire to show you as much as we possibly can of the city and the adjacent territory. We want you to notice in particular our large in- dustrial plants, so that when you go back to your homes or meet at other gatherings, you can speak of us in terms we sincerely hope we justly deserve. We also want to show you what our community has done in the reforestation of some of the hills and barren places. A great amount of this work has been done by our own Association under the direction of our worthy Secretary. Also much work has been done by the city in the parks and along the boulevards owned by the municipality. But more especially do we want to call your attention to the work that has been accomplished in this movement by private individuals. Some of these private undertakings, which are on a very large scale, we hope to have the pleasure of show- ing you. We feel very grateful to the State De- partment for the interest they have taken in our local affairs, and the encouragement they have bestowed. They have given us everything we have ever asked for and have suggested ideas and developments in addition. They also inaugurated in this city a Branch Department and gave us a District Forester, Mr. McNeal, who has proved himself well worthy of the position and has been a great help to us and a great advantage to this community. . t -n . As our time is limited this morning I will not consume more at present. We will now have the pleasure of listening to our President, Dr. koth- rock, who will address the Convention and have charge of the sessions yet to come. Response of Dr. J. T. Rothrock, President of Pennsylvania Forestry Association, to Address of Welcome. OUR midsummer meeting has usually been held either on a State Forestry Reserve, or in some portion of the State where we were in close touch with large bodies of what is, or ought to be, perpetually forested land. We have deemed it important to be brought face to face with actual forest conditions. Today we meet, on your kind invitation, in a populous city echoing with the rumble of powerful machinery. We see on your crowded streets an active, mercantile, mechanical and agricultural I people. ! It is so different from our usual custom that 1, at first, thought our sojourn here would be lost I time for our forestry interests. It required, Mr. I President, but a moment's consideration to show me that I was wrong, wholly, radically wrong and that you had much to show us, that you had new I ideas to reveal, and that, best of all, you had the practical working out of the new ideas to place before us. Usually we have gone on our summer outings to disseminate forestry truths. If I am I not mistaken, we shall go from here, richer in forestry lore than we came. ! Then too, Mr. President, there is an inspiration in visiting the original nest, the breeding-place ot those pioneers who were to figure so conspicuously in the history and development of our country. i Nurtured on the hills of Berks County were the i men who moved south into Virginia and North I Carolina and thence westward, to open the new I empire of Kentucky and Tennessee. The forbears of brave Daniel Boone and mighty Abraham Lin- coln and Kit Carson were Berks County men. Conrad Weiser, Indian interpreter and guardian angel of the infant colonies, lies buried within an hour's ride of where we stand. Nagel's riflemen marched to Boston and in revolutionary times gave to the British invader convincing evidence of the accuracy of their aim. We love you, old Berks County, for your sturdy sons and daughters, who in times of need always came to the front, in peace or in war. We thank you for your invitation. We are glad that we came. Forestry is still in the propagandist period. It has started, taken deep root in our country. It is here to stay. We have our schools of forestry, our forest reserves, our forestry associations ; but with all these the need of an active educational campaign was never so urgent as now, because we have headway on, and there is constant and ever increasing danger that we get on the wrong track and fly off on a tangent from the real work that needs so urgently to be done. Forestry encloses within its wide limits many interests, some vital to the prosperity of the country and all are important. We look to the trees to hold our soil ; to conserve the rain and snowfall ; to be hiding, breeding and dwelling places for the wild life which has become such an interest in the land. We want forests as outing grounds in which our children and our grand-children may embrace nature so closely that they will become strong enough to hold, develop and protect the homes they received by inheritance. We must learn to love the woods, to see that it is our individual duty to protect them against for- est fires. Here especially the campaign of educa- tion must come in. No legislation, however good itself, will suffice to make an end of these m annual burnings, until every citizen realizes that it is as wicked to start a forest fire as to burn a barn. City, town, country and forest all have an inalienable right to protection. No industry, however large or important, has any more right in its operation to drop a careless spark into a forest than it has to leave it in a town. Then too, it is time for us to realize that there are millions of acres in this State that are still un- utilized, that they are becoming poorer, that the life and fertility are wasting out of them, and that some day they are to become the homes of an in- creasing population. It is vastly more important to this Commonwealth that this waste land should be cared for by State aid than that the Capitol grounds should be increased. An educational campaign, on this feature of political economy, might well be conducted in Pennsylvania. I have no doubt that the same principle would apply to some other States. It would seem, therefore, that our Association has an ample field remaining to engage its activi- ties. I would suggest, also, that much of our water power comes to us from other States and that after passing through our State, it again enters other States. So that there is a vital interstate relation to be considered. In other words, we have our reserved rights as a sovereign State, but there are privileges which we have alienated and conceded to Federal authority. The time is pro- bably not far distant when the questions growing out of this double relation will require answer. We welcome our friends who are here to repre- sent their various interests ; those from a distance and those who reside within our borders. Your committee on program, we believe, has invited your consideration of a varied, useful list of topics. I especially ask you to consider the wisdom of entering into a close federation with all allied or- ganizations which are in any way concerned with the extension and protection of the now unutilized lands of this State, which are better adapted to the production of timber than of any other crop. Such a federation is possible without losing our specific place as a strictly State Forest Association. I have frequently called attention to the impor- tance of restoring to our abandoned lands the human product, a race developed under such cir- cumstances as led to courage, vigor and loyalty. The events of the last few years, and especially now, emphasize in the most emphatic manner the importance of increasing the number of citizens capable of enduring the strain of strenuous times. In spite of the prevailing athletic tendencies, statistics show an alarming percentage of young men who are physically unfit, not only for military life, but for the ordinary duties of citi- zenship. We need to invite our growing youths away from the ordinary summer resort into the more healthful life in our highlands : — into camps To this end there should be attractive forests, outing grounds easily accessible from every part of the State. Nothing would do more to diminish the enormous cost of our hospitals and sanatoriums, and I commend this idea to your consideration as a legitimate function of State Forestry. As compared with some other States, Pennsyl- vania may well be congratulated on the work already accomplished in the way of forestry pro- tection and restoration : but it is only a start. The real advance remains to be made when the fact is more fully realized that at least one-seventh of our area has passed into an unproductive con- dition. I do not think it can be fairly said that we squander the income of the Commonwealth ; but it is very sure that much of it might be more 148 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. JHI 149 wisely utilized than it is. The first duty of the Legislature is to provide for the necessary expenses of the State departments, simply because the State has no duty which is more fundamental than per- petuating itself. All prosperity, all security for ?Lsing L to our children what we have earned - knd saved rests upon the protection afforded by the State governments. Without it anarchy would reign supreme. Before any other appropriations are made by the Legislature, an estimate should be had of the requirements of all the departments, and the requisite funds set apart. After this is done, let the remaining available funds be appro- priated as wisely as may be. The Forestry De- partment in common with other departments has been grieviously hindered. Insufficient funds have been available for purchase of lands which the State alone can save, and for protection against forest fire of what land the State already owns. Greeting from the American Forestry Association. IN the absence of Mr. Charles Lathrop Pack, President of the American Forestry Associa- tion, Dr. H. S. Drinker, President of Lehigh University, who held the presidency of the Ameri- can Forestry Association during the years 1913, 1914, and 1915, extended on behalf of the Ameri- can Forestry Association a very cordial greeting to the Berks County Conservation Association and the Pennsylvania F'orestry Association. Dr. Drinker spoke of the remarkable local work done by the Berks County Association in promoting the study and practice of forestry at Reading and in Berks County, and expressed to the members of the Berks County Association the high appreciation in which their work is held by foresters throughout the country and how it is looked on as a marked example of thorough, intensive, and progressive work. At the late Reading meeting Mr. James A. Irwin described the excellent work of the Blair County Game, Fish and Forestry Association, which was organized on January 2 2d, 191 5, ''for the Conservation of our forests and streams and the wild life therein." During 191 5 this Associa- tion planted 1,000 trees, placed large numbers of young fish in various streams, liberated seven fallow and one German deer, five elks, fifteen ringneck pheasants, two wild turkeys and numer- ous quail. During the winter wild turkey and quail were fed. Valuable assistance was rendered in enforcing forest and fish laws. Bird houses were erected and literature distributed. Forestry in Pennsylvania— A Success or a Failure, ONE of the rarest finds in the world is a man without an axe to grind. I had hoped to be the only representative of the genus on the program ; but I find that I cannot be a mem- ber of that exclusive group and keep the faith. I have an axe to grind. It is a double-bitted axe It is notched and nicked and shamefully dull, i shall hold this axe up for your inspection, and I believe you will admit that it needs sharpening. A good grindstone is at hand. All that is needed is the motive power. But, as the ten cent edi- tions say, more of this later. ^.. . f Let me say, in the first place, that the subject of my talk as printed should have been followed by an interrogation point instead of a period. Whether forestry in Pennsylvania shall be a suc- cess or a failure is a question, and I propose to pass the question on to you. \nother preliminary remark I should like to make is that I am speaking not only for the De- partment of Forestry, but for the State Forest Academy Alumni Association, a body which in- cludes every forester in the Pennsylvania Forest Service. , Before this audience it should not be necessary , to rehash the early days of the forestry movement in Pennsylvania. We all know that forestry with- out Dr. Rothrock would have been an effect without a cause ; we all know that the Penn- sylvania Forestry Association has done valiant service for over thirty years ; we all know some- thing of the early struggles of the men who had the cause of forestry at heart ; and we all know that not many years ago we thought the gray days for forestrv were passed, and that the dawn of a brighter future for the movement was at hand. For some reason or other, this rosy dawn has failed to materialize— hence the interrogation point. . Suppose you owned all the stock in an incor- porated business, and, instead of taking active charge yourself, you had delegated to another au- thority to act for you— a man in whom you had every confidence.' Suppose one day he should come to you and say that the business was dying of dry rot because it needed new capital to make i enlargements and improvements. What questions would you ask before you put more money into the venture? Would you not ask ( i) What have we now? (2) What should we have? and (3) 1 What means shall we take to get it? This is not a far-fetched illustration to apply to the case of forestry. You, the citizens, are the sole and only stockholders in the natural resources ot this Commonwealth. You are not in direct charge of your affairs, but, through your votes, you depu- tize certain persons, in whom you have more or less confidence, to supervise the public under- takings for you. Those representatives to whom you have entrusted the control of the Department of Forestry come to you with a statement exactly parallel to the statement of the business executive just mentioned. They say that they need and must have adequate financial support to carry on the work which you, the citizens, have authorized ; that this support has not been furnished by the legislature ; and that unless it is furnished at once, injury will be done which decades to come will not repair. Very well. You have heard the plea of those who are managing a certain definite part of your business for you. You are human. You do not want to part with your money without good rea- son. You want replies to some questions before you authorize any additional expenditures, and the first question more than likely would be ''What have you done with the money we have already given you? " Last winter the Department compiled statistics 1 which answer that very question, and answer it in a way which should give satisfaction to every Pennsylvanian. With the money you have furnished, 1,012,000 acres of forest land have been purchased at an average price of $2.27 per acre. Since the maxi- mum price allowed for the purchase of land was, until recently, fixed at 55 per acre, and the price actually paid was less than half the maximum, a just conclusion is that the purchases were made as economically as possible. This land, which cost vou two and a quarter million dollars, is now worth, at a conservative estimate, six million dol- lars. With the remainder of the moneys appro- priated, the Department has trained seventy-eight foresters at the State Forestry Academy at Mont Alto, and is now training ten a year. Fifty-nine of the graduates are now in the Pennsylvania Forest Service, and nine are in other forest work. In addition, eighty-two rangers are in constant duty on the State Forests. Almost 23,000,000 trees have been planted on about 12,000 acres of barren land. Twenty six forest nurseries have been established, four of them with an annual output of over a million seed- lings each. About 6,000,000 trees were planted this spring, and about 13,000,000 are in stock in the nurseries. Four thousand miles of roads, trails, and fire lanes have been opened, the majority of which are drivable. One thousand six hundred miles of boundary line have been surveyed, blazed and painted. Two hundred and fifty miles of tele- phone line have been built, and eighty-six forest telephones are connected. Almost a million fish have been planted. Three district foresters have been stationed at places outside of State Forest lands. Two million trees have been distributed to private individuals who have promised to use them for reforesting. Ten game refuges have been established on State Forests, with a total area of 21,600 acres. Sixty buildings have been erected for the housing of Department employees and Department stores. One hundred and one observation towers have been built. A thousand forest fires have been extinguished on State land, and thousands more on privately owned land. Over $125,000 has been added to the State School Fund by the income from the forests, and 300 camp sites have been leased to private individuals and organizations. '* A very good showing," says the average citi- zen. '*But if you have all this, why ask for more ? ' ' More statistics are needed to answer this question. The total area of Pennsylvania is twenty-eight and a half million acres. Of this area, 8,000,000 acres is suited for forest culture only. Its topo- graphy and general condition are such that it can never be used for anything else. Of this 8,000,000 acres the State owns 1,000,000 as State Forests. Of the remaining 7,000,000 acres, from 5,000,000 to 6,000,000 are totally unproductive. They are worse than unproductive — they are in such condi- tion that unless action is taken soon they can never be made productive. All this land is privately owned. How many of these private owners will invest in good forest management for their land ? How many will even try to keep fires out on their own initiative? If it be admitted that for clima- tological and sanitary reasons only our forests should not be allowed to disappear, and if it be further admitted that the private owners will not, and cannot, for financial reasons, handle their woodlots for the good of the community as a whole, there is no other solution but for the State to acquire the land by purchase. Those who know Pennsylvania best, among them Dr. Roth- rock, say that the State should own for forestry purposes from 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 acres of this land in addition to what she now has. Hear this : For the purchase of new lands the Department was granted $20,000 a year for two years, dating from 191 5. If we pay for land in the future at the same rate as we are paying now, it will take over a century to acquire another mil- lion acres of land with a $20,000 appropriation every year ! In spite o^ the fact that representatives of many 150 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. in 151 >?ii m n of the conservation interests allied to forestry are in the audience, who probably have the greatest concern about their own undertakings, I make the statement that forestry is the fundamental con- servation movement; that it underlies the other branches of the conservation effort like bed-rock underlies the foundations of a modern sky-scraper. | How can you protect and propagate game if you fail to protect its dwelling place? Why hatch and plant trout when the streams m which they , are planted will no longer support them ? \V hy, when because of forest destruction the tempera- tures of the forest brooks is constantly rising ; when a wet spell brings a flood, and a dry spell brings a water famine? Why conduct a huge campaign to conserve life and health when the water supply, one of life's chief necessities is en- dangered at its very source in our barren and burned over watersheds ? Your mines must have the support of the forest to keep running ; your farms must have its bene- ficial influence to remain productive ; your mills and factories depend on it in a thousand ways ; vour newspapers, which unite in warning you kgainst the danger of further indifl'erence, use a forest product to carry a plea for forest preserva- tion. And now— today— that branch of the government to which you have entrusted the care of your forests has barely enough funds to keep it alive until the next session of the legislature I ' Is this preparedness? Is it good business? Is it even horse sense? If you admit that the need for sane forestry practice is one of your funda- mental needs, you must also admit that it should not be thrust into the legislative background by political whims of the moment, hut should have guaranteed it ample, continuous financial support. At the hands of the last legislature we received the most complete and sensible forest protection law Pennsylvania has ever had— and the generous sum of $22,500 to carry it into effect. Think of it — S22, 500 a year to prevent and extinguish forest fires on 8,000,000 acres of forest I If you want detail, you can figure this out to less than three- tenths of a cent an acre a year. And this in the face of the fact that the same legislature had just passed a deficiency appropriation bill for $22,500 to meet unpaid bills for fire extinguishment only ! Three-tenths of a cent an acre for extinction, and the mercy of Providence for prevention ! I might thus go over every division of the De- partment's work and show that the same slighting hand has touched them all. But these things are matters of record, and instead of going over them one by one, I shall try to summarize roughly the things we need most urgently. First and foremost, wx need enough money to maintain our present organization on an efficient basis and to develop and protect the States present holdings. For this we need more rangers, more emergency patrolmen, more and better roads, more fire towers, more telephone lines, more sur- veys—in short, more money. Second, we need more land ; and we need it in solid connected blocks ; not in haphazard hun- dred-acre patches. And this proposition, like the other, is a matter of dollars and cents. Third we need an effective enforcement of every provision of the new forest fire law. We need above all things an absolute minimum of a cent an acre a year for prevention and extinction of forest fires. We should have a cent and a half an acre ; and we need this not now and then, but in a continuous, dependable supply. Remember now, please, that we have assumed I that you are sitting in judgment on a proposal ad- vanced by the authorized "managers of a part of your business. You have asked - What have you done with the money we have already given you ? and I have tried to answer. You have asked You say '' Oh, we have tried this business of uniting for the purpose of securing legislation." I say you have not tried it thoroughly, and I need only point to the sorry plight of the Department of Forestry for evidence. Let us not soft-pedal through the legislative halls this winter for fear of hurting some one's over-tender feelings. We have been gentle, di- plomatic pussyfooters for six years, and for our pains we have been thrown down and walked upon. The work of the Department has reached the stage where we need no longer respectfully request. Let us demand ! I am glad that I have had an opportunity to pre- sent the true condition of affairs to you thus early in the Convention. I have not overstated the case one iota. We need everything I have mentioned, and we need it infinitely worse than I can tell you. I don't want you to leave here with the snug, self-satisfied feeling that this Convention, this pat- ting of each other on the shoulder and saying ** Lo, we have done a great work," will fix every- thing. It will not fix anything. This Conven- tion will be measured as a success or a failure by the actual results secured from the next legislature. And those results will be the measure of your in- terest or your indifference. That is the axe I have to grind. Public senti- ment is the grindstone. You have the latent motive power. Will you turn the stone ? N. R. McNaughton. Forests of the War Zones. (Continued from June issue.) THE forests of the Mediterranean peninsulas, viz: The Iberian, comprising Spain and Portugal ; the Italian, including Italy and a few adjoining provinces of Austria ; and the Balkan, consisting of Servia, Roumania, Bulgaria, (Greece, Albania, Montenegro, European Turkey, and a few of the southern provinces of Austria have never been favored naturally nor biologically. Nature did not produce there, as in America, vast and dense forests of valuable species. The origi- nal forest was, as a rule, only mediocre in density and composition. Furthermore, man and a score of other destructive agencies, particularly goats, have been abusing the forests ever since they have been opened up to such an extent that today one finds in the countries about the Mediterranean some of the poorest forests of continental Europe. They stand in strong contrast with the forests of Belgium, northern France, eastern Prussia, western Russia, and Galicia, discussed in the last number of Forest Leaves. In 191 1 the writer had the privilege of accom- panying Prof Gustav Hegi, of the University of Munich, on a botanical and dendrological study- tour through a portion of the country now occu- pied by the contending armies in the southeastern theatre of the war. A considerable portion of the trip was made afoot through rather remote re- gions. This enabled the participants to observe the forests and other allied rural conditions at close range. It would not be possible to discuss within the space of a short article the forest condi- tions found on the three Mediterranean peninsulas, nor even of the countries comprising the Italian and Balkan peninsulas, most of which are engaged in the present war. Therefore, it seemed advisa- ble to confine the present article to a limited portion with forest conditions fairly representative of the whole. The region about the Austro- Italian front has been selected for this purpose. The principal provinces which Italy hopes to regain from Austria are Trentino and Gorizia. In them most of the recent battles between the Austrian and Italian troops have been fought. The former province projects into northern Italy in the form of a blunt wedge ; the latter borders Italy on the extreme northeast above the Gulf of Trieste. These two provinces form the backbone of the ** Italia irredenta." History informs us that these provinces were originally forested with stands of average density yielding a fair quality of material. But conditions have changed. Today forests are conspicuous by their absence, not only upon limited areas, but over an enormous terri- tory. Thousands of Italian immigrants have never seen a real forest before coming to America. The forests of their homeland have been destroyed by the conjoint destructive work and devastating abuse of many agencies. Excepting the steep slopes of the Alps, the more inaccessible tops of the Apennines, a few remote plateaus and scat- tered spots bordering bodies of water, the forests of Italy are in reality miserable brushland. Acres of desolation — the result of centuries of forest abuse— abound on every hand. All Europe does not contain a more deplorable picture on so whole- sale a scale. One wonders why forest destruction was allowed to continue for so long a time and on so gigantic and intensive a scale, for it seems as if the ulti- mate outcome of such a process must have been foreseen. The writings of foresters as far back as I the middle ages bear evidence that the signifi- cance of such a destructive tendency was com- prehended. They were, however, unable to accomplish much because political disturbances and inefficent management had impoverished the I public treasury, and the spirit of the people was ^ antagonistic to anything which implied present •v\^V 152 FOREST LEAVES. sacrifice for future gain. Furthermore, the need of forest products— the real stimulant of forest conservation— was never keenly felt in this sunny and peninsular southland. The warm climate and the absence of extensive wood-using industries re- duced the demand for fuelwood and raw material of larger size, and accessibility by sea made the importation of needed wood material feasible Not much material was needed, and the small amount which was required could be imported cheaper and easier than it could be raised at home. But these are only the primary causes for the present poor forests. Secondary destructive agencies became operative as soon as the forests had been opened up and partly removed, and have been conducting a destructive campaign ever since on such a wholesale and continuous a scale that the resultant damage far surpasses that of the primary causative factors. There are a large number of these secondary destructive agencies which m many cases have impoverished the land almost, if not entirely, beyond redemption. Fire, goats, erosion and floods, are the principal secondary malefactors, and a brief account of the nature and extent of their destruction may serve as a valuable lesson to us in America, now in the formative period of forest conservation. i Wasteful lumbering was followed by destructive forest fires which burned over the mountain slopes repeatedly. They were aided by the hot and dry climate and high winds; and, as a rule, unhin- dered by man. Various governing bodies passed laws pertaining to the prevention and extinguish- ing of forest fires, but were powerless to enforce them. The public gave little attention to them because it was realized that the evil effect was de- ferred rather.than immediate. Upon these burnt- over areas there appeared a dense fire-coppice growth of brush consisting of shrubs, many infe- rior, and a few valuable trees. This shrubby growth afforded excellent pasture for goats, which the inhabitants considered more indispensable to their welfare than forests. Under such conditions the goat industry naturally grew, but the forests disappeared ; and now, in view of the damage already done, the goat is regarded as the most destructive enemy of the forests of northern Italy and other nearby mountainous coun- tries. They are present everywhere in large numbers. There is no city, village, hamlet, nor hardly a home or an acre of mountain land with- out them. According to a late census there are about 2,000,000 goats in Italy ; that is, about one goat to every 16 inhabitants or about one goat to every 5 acres of forest land. Using this pro- portion, the State forests of Pennsylvania, now totalling 1,012,000 acres, would maintain over 200,000 goats; and each State forest depending upon its size, would have from 700 to 10,000 of these animals to support. In comparison the State of Pennsylvania, according to the 1910 U. S. census, maintained only 7^837 or about one to every 1,000 inhabitants ; and of this number only 3,539 were in rural regions, the remaining 4,298 being in urban communities and owned by recent immigrants from countries where the goat is re- garded as an almost indispensable adjunct of the home. They yield hair, milk, meat and leather ; all of which are prized commodities to the moun- tain farmer engaged primarily in pastoral pursuits. Furthermore, they are easily fed, and will support themselves upon land which will not sustain any other domestic animal. Their favorite haunts are brushy hillsides, where they browse upon tips of branches and young growth along the trunks of larger trees. Unfortunately, they do not distin- guish between inferior and valuable woody growth. They are as apt to decapitate a valuable young oak as to consume a small woody shrub. They are not the sole cause, but they have been a powerful factor in maintaining acres of valueless brushland in southern Europe by checking nature in its slow endeavor to develop a fair natural : forest growth upon thousands of acres of land which should be producing timber. Even in this country one can see evidences of their destructive work, especially about the settlements in the coal , regions of Pennsylvania, where they often serve as the family mascot and dairy. There is, however, a wide difference between judicious and promiscu- ous pasturing of goats. They may render a great service to farmers who desire to clear up brushy areas for agricultural purposes, but on the other hand they may do inestimable damage upon areas classified as absolute forest land. Thousands of goats are annually shipped to our eastern States from the southwest for the purpose of destroying brush on recent clearings and in woodlands pre- paratory to clearing. In view of this growing tendency great care should be exercised in not permitting the extension of the industry to non- agricultural, particularly forest land, for fear of having denuded and impoverished hillsides, such as now prevail in southern Europe. As soon as the forest cover with its absorbent carpet of leaf-litter is removed or destroyed, the fertile forest soil— the result of centuries of vege- table accumulation and rock disintegration— is exposed to the devastating influence of rain and snow water. The process of erosion soon begins on a small scale and increases with each succes- sive rain or snowfall, until practically all the pro- ductive soil has been removed and nothing re- mains except bare rocks, forming abrupt cliffs or Forest Leaves, Vol. xv.. No. io VALLEY OF THE ADIGE AT TRIENT. Thk is a nortion of the land Italy hopes to regain from Austria. Throughout the entire region theTa^erarrrro.v ^^^^^^ fertile, tl/e m!>untains'high and rugged, and the.r slopes steep, ster.le and denuded of the forest growth that once covereed i)y the Austrian army operatmg south through Tyrol. THE ABUSE AND RIGHT USE OF LAND. Alone the coast of Lake (iarda, which is crossed by the Austro- Italian international boundary li.u.; ar. found extremely produciive antl intensively managed lemon and olive groves, and bonler- ing them at hi dier elevations are some of the most sterile mountain .lopes in the civ.li/ed world. INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE 3 tf^ FOREST LEAVES. 153 strewn over precipitous slopes. The accompany- ing illustrations show the eroded and treeless mountain slopes, so common and extensive in northern Italy and southwestern Austria, which have been neglected almost beyond redemption. In summer these slopes assume a thirsty and parched appearance, and the rivers which they feed are but narrow threads trickling through broad beds. In springtime these same slopes are the birthplace of raging torrents which burst forth with uncontrollable force in the plains below, in- undating fertile fields and depositing enormous quantities of detritus at undesirable places. There are more than 600 miles of artificial embankments along the Poe river, which meanders through a rich but almost treeless agricultural region after bursting forth from the mountains. A large number of protective structures exist along the Adige river, which flows through the center of the province of Trentino in which many fierce battles have recently been fought. Both of the contend- ing armies have suffered severely from heavy rains and spring floods. Reports tell us that many groups of soldiers have lost their lives in crossing and recrossing this stream when swollen and rag- ing. One of the accompanying photographic illustrations shows the valley of the Adige at Trient, with its narrow border of green vegetation surmounted by vast areas of rough and rugged mountain slopes, bearing little, if any, vegetation of commercial value. In order to obtain a real vivid and lasting impression of this desolate region, one should approach it from the north, that is, im- mediately after having spent some time in the intensively managed and normally stocked forests of central Europe. In Belgium, France, Prussia, Russia and Galicia, the soldiers seek shelter in woods, cover their batteries with branches and faggots, corduroy roads with poles, line their trenches with poles and props, and finish their subterranean chambers with sawed timber. The soldiers of the armies operating in the Tyrolean Alps are not so fortunate. No wood is at their disposal, for they are located in an almost forest- less region. Consequently they are compelled to seek shelter amidst enormous rocks which cover the slopes, and to drill chambers into the solid rock formations which crown commanding heights. Under such conditions the contending armies can- not do much damage to the forest growth, but they are certainly making the task of the future reforestation more difficult. The present damage may not be so great, but the ultimate, and in many cases irreparable loss will be felt by many subsequent generations. One must not conclude from the foregoing de- scription that Italy is treeless. It has many valua- ble trees, but most of them occur in orchards and parks, on estates and lawns, and along streets and boundary lines. There are in Italy about 2,000,000 acres in olive groves, and 400,000 acres in chestnut orchards, and thousands of mul- berry trees which support the silkworm industry. The lemon industry holds a prominent place about the subalpine lakes, because of the superior fruit produced. An enormous number of trees are also required to supply props for the vineyards which cover almost nine million acres. The Italian government has not been unmindful of the need of forest conservation and restoration. Numerous protective and constructive laws have been enacted, but little was accomplished until about 1877. Since then the land has been classi- fied and protection forests have been established on the higher mountain slopes. Special induce- ments are given to individuals and communities who reforest mountain land. In 1902 it was de- cided to celebrate a ** Feast of Trees" (la festa degli alberi), copied after Arbor Day of the United States. On March 31, 1902, the city of Rome held the first celebration in the presence of the king and the queen, planting about 10 acres with trees. A forestry school is maintained at Vallombrosa, located in the heart of the Apen- nines, and easily visited from Florence. It is sur- rounded by magnificent forests, and far removed from the whining beggars, ringing bells, plaintive yells, and ofl'ensive smells so characteristic of Italian cities. The forests of Austria, as a rule, are carefully managed and well stocked. The provinces bor- dering Italy, however, are an exception to this rule. They bear no evidence of that careful man- agement so characteristic of the forests in the in- terior of the empire. These provinces have been under Austrian rule for more than a century, but no traveler would know it if it wgre not for the postage stamps, money, and laws. The atmos- phere is decidedly Italian, the government alone is Teutonic. A sojourn of a few days in cities and a longer period of travel on foot through rural portions of these provinces furnished abundant and convincing proof to the writer that the in- habitants were eagerly and almost unanimously awaiting the day when they would be redeemed or incorporated into the kingdom of Italy. This prolonged political unrest may be at least a partial explanation for the present unsatisfactory forest conditions. The forests of the other countries of southern Europe, most of them now at war, are not exactly like those described but they have many points in common. They are, as a rule, poorly stocked and mismanaged. A general perspective may be ob- t m 154 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 155 tained by classifying them under two headings, viz.: wood importing and wood exporting coun- tries. JVood Exporting : Roumania, Bulgaria. IVooi/ Itnportiug : Italy, Servia, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Turkey. Ml the above-named wood importing countries, except Servia, have a small forest area per capita of population. Servia has a total forest area of .,750,000 acres, about 37 per cent, of which is classified as state forest land. In spite of this large forest area considerably more wood is im- ported than exported. This is due to the unor- ganized condition of forest utilization. Roumania and Bulgaria, the only countries whose exports exceed imports, have forest areas of 6,250,000 and 7,570,000 acres respectively. In both coun- tries the hardwood, chiefly oaks, beech, elm and walnut in the southern part of Bulgaria, comprise more than 75 per cent, of the forest area. Ihese extensive and unexploited forests are a valuable asset and will become more valuable as reconstruc- tion progresses after the war. Each country now at war claims to have entered the conflict for a just cause, and all entertain high hopes regarding the ultimate outcome. The con- sequent loss, however, will be enormous and the damage in innumerable cases irreparable. J. S. Illick. The first printing of the report of the Chief Forest Fire Warden for the year 1915, which con- tains a list of the forest fire wardens of the State by counties, is almost exhausted. Engineers, superintendents* foremen, and patrolmen of the State Highway Department have received copies, ^ and have been instructed by the Chief Engineer ' to report all forest fires in their territory to the nearest forest fire warden immediately. Sixty railroads have promised to have fires reported at once by their employees. Three railroads oper- ating in the forested part of the State have agreed to post in their smoking cars placards urging passengers not to throw cigars, cigarettes, or matches from the car windows. A recent issue of the Remington Arms Union Metallic Cartridge Co's news bulletin was given over to a discussion of the forest fire problem in Pennsylvania, and a plea to the hunters and sportsmen of the State to cooperate with the De- partment of Forestry in preventing fires. Resolutions Adopted by the Forestry Con- ference at the Mid-Summer Joint Meet- ing of the Pennsylvania Forestry Asso- ciation ; The American Forestry Asso- ciation ; The Berks County Conservation Association, and The Alumni of the State Forest Academy. June 27-29th, 1916. T^ ESOLVED, That the hearty appreciation X\_ and thanks of the joint Associations meet- ^ ing for Forestry Conference at Reading, Pa , June 2 7-2 9th, are cordially tendered to the citizens of Reading for their hospitality and con- stant kindness during the Conference,— and to the Hotel Berkshire for the use of its commodious auditorium for the meetings of the Convention The Pennsylvania Forestry Association, The ' American Forestry Association and The Alumni of the State Forest Academy join in congratula- tions to the members of the Berks County Conser- vation Association, on the wonderfully progressive and valuable work in the cause of conservation in general, and of Forestry, accomplished by that organization in the short two years that have ' elapsed since its founding,— work so unique, practical, and effective, as to serve as an example to all similar effort in other localities. I We congratulate the city of Reading on the possession of a public -spirited citizenry that brings about such markedly successful and striking results I in beautifying the city, and its environments, and I in the promotion of Forestry, in which work Messrs. George B. Horst and Jacob Nolde are entitled to so large a share of credit, and we pay a tribute of appreciation and encouragement to the girls and boys of Reading for their work in tree planting and their zeal in Forestry Work. We express our thanks particularly to Messrs. Jonathan Mould, President, and Solan L. Parkes, Secretary and Organizer of The Berks County Conservation Association, for the care and etti- ciency displayed in the arrangements for this meeting, and we pay to them our tribute of ad- miration for the success of the Association whose interests they so ably manage ; and we express our thanks and appreciation to Harvey F. Heinly, Esq. and Mr. Emil L. Neubling, for their careful oversight of the details of the inspection trip on June 28th, when we were given the opportunity to see what Berks County has done and is doing for Forestry and Conservation ; also to the Berk- shire Country Club for its hospitable invitation tendered through Herbert R. Green, Esq. We thank the members of the Association who contributed the able papers that have made this meeting so marked a success, and we congratulate the Blair County Game, Fish and Forestry Asso- ciation, on the good work and results attained and shown by its first annual report. Our united thanks are due to the able Chairman of the Committee on Program, the Hon. I. C. Williams, Deputy Commissioner of Forestry of Pennsylvania, for his efiicient work. We cordially express appreciation of the sym- pathetic work of The Wild Life League of Penn- sylvania, the United Sportsmen of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Fish and Game Protective Association, and the Pennsylvania State Sports- men's Association ; our members are urged to attend the meeeting of The Wild Life League at Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania, during the week beginning September 4th, to which we have been invited ; also the annual meeting of the United Sportsmen, to be held in Oil City during the week beginning July loth. We particularly impress on forest lovers the need of immediate attention being given through- out the Country to the danger of the spread of the White Pine Blister Rust, a tree plague that is likely to be as devastating and as serious in its re- sults as the Chestnut Blight. The proper time to act is now before the disease has spread. Full information is given as to this disease, its appearance, and the steps to be taken in combat- ing it, in a pamphlet that will be furnished by mail, on application to F. L. Bitler, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, No. 10 12 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. We express our pride in the efficient adminis- tration of the Forestry interests of our State under the able management of the Forestry Department, and its experienced head, the Hon. Robert S. Conklin, and we earnestly advise against any con- solidation of the Departments of Forestry, Fish and Game, and Water,— as tending to destroy initiative, and efficient and effective management of each and all of them, and as being against the general experience and judgment of experts in other States. American Forestry for July describes a newly discovered enemy of the white pine tree known as the pine sawfly (^Diprion simile, Hartig). Like the white pine blister rust it is an introduced dis- ease, and thus far has been confined to Connec- ticut. The sawfly is a small wasp-like insect with a wing-spread of about an inch and eats the leaves of a number of coniferous trees. The larvae of the insect is about an inch long, of greenish-yellow color, has a black head, and a yellow stripe with brown markings on each side of the body. Spray- ing with lead arsenate is said to be a good remedy. A Little Journey in Birdland. ONE of the most interesting features of modern nature study is the fact that the number of people who are now making an earnest and intelligent study of out-of-door life has increased twenty-fold in the last twenty-five years, and one taking a country walk is liable any day to en- counter a group of earnest, sensibly-clad men and women with field glasses and some small authori- tative book on bird and plant life. There is a constantly increasing number of amateur Bird Clubs organizing in all parts of the United States, and the two-day's experience of one such club is the subject of this sketch. On the afternoon of May 5th, 19 16, twenty- two members of the West Chester, Penn'a Bird Club journeyed to the Susquehanna River by train, trolley and a unique little, narrow gauge railroad with its one small engine and one car lighted by the old-time coal-oil lamp. The last mile of this road was down grade, so the engine was switched off and the little car with its interested group of passengers sped down the hill, guided by the steady hand of the brakeman, till it landed at its terminus — Peach Bottom. At this point the company alighted and boarded a still more primitive little steam ferry, guided by a long oar operated by the Captain-Engineer-Pilot from the roof of the low cabin. The Susquehanna river is about one and three- quarters miles wide at this point, rather shallow in most places and dotted with luxuriously wooded islands. On this evening the young moon shone in silvery beauty over the cool waters, and the passengers of the little ferry heard many soft twitters from the near-by trees as the birds gradu- ally settled for the night and tucked their heads beneath their downy feathers. About half after eight o'clock the happy compa- ny was warmly welcomed at Peach Bottom Inn on the York County side, and in little more than half an hour all eyes were closed for the restful sleep which prefaced the two wonderful days to follow. Perhaps a few words as to the personnel of the party and the topography of the region would be of interest : Nine of the number were teachers. Among the others were a dentist and his wife, the treasurer and stockholder of an important trust company with his family, a physician and his wife, a manufact- urer and his wife, a merchant, a florist, a young theological student and* two other students,— one a young woman from a normal school a.nd the other a boy from the grammar grades. This lad was the grandson of one of the best known con- servationists in the country, and true to his inheri- 7^^ I ^ \ 156 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 157 tance was eager to see and learn, drinking in all the knowledge and experience which the occasion afforded and proving a pleasure and an inspiration to his elders. The lower Susquehanna region otters many at- tractive features to the bird lover. Extending from Chesapeake Bay it penetrates Pennsylvania and forms the boundary line between York and Lancaster counties. The high and often precipitous banks coming well down to the river form a narrow valley which presents a most invit- ing thoroughfare for bird life. In the main its banks are well wooded with a most interesting va- riety of trees and shrubs, intersected at intervals with valleys occupied by rushing streams. Upon the York county side its beauty and in- terest is greatly enhanced by the presence of an abandoned canal and towpath extending for miles along the river and formerly known as the Port Deposit and Columbia Canal. The towpath in many places has become covered with vegetation except for a narrow road which in some instances dwindles to a mere foot-path. This vegetation forms a veritable arbor broken at intervals, giving beautiful vistas of the riyer with its numerous green islands. At no place in the canal is there much water, but the drainage into it and the springs upon its banks furnish abundant moisture and occasional pools which encourage a rich growth of plant life and give a splendid refuge and home for many va- rieties of birds. Much of the famous Peach Bottom slate is taken from the Susquehanna hills of this region, and the streams which issue from their sides are notable for their beauty and the purity of their waters. The bed of these rapid, winding streams is the favorite haunt of the Louisiana Water Thrush. The southern flora and fauna creep well up into this narrow valley and make the character of its plant and animal life somewhat unique, and more or less distinct from the higher land on either side. And while the number of new species found there is not large, there is an abundance of bird life that is rare in the adjacent parts of Pennsylvania, for it is notably the migrating route for a con- siderable number of northern warblers and other migrants. An interesting feature of this locality is the presence of Indian relics. Arrow heads, celts, hammers, mortars and other stone implements used by the Indians. These proved a perfect fasci- nation for the eager- eyed boy who was fortunate enough to find several fine specimens. The richness of the avifauna of this remarkable valley may be further explained by a brief allusion to some of its unusual features. There is a certain primitiveness existing here not general to other near-by parts of Pennsylvania and Maryland. The absence of cities, or even villages, on the York county side, the rugged hills and lack of tillable land makes anything like ex- tensive farming impossible. There is no railroad, or highway, along this side of the river; the scattered inhabitants being chiefly fishermen, or descendants of old families that were engaged in the logging industries of former days, or occu- pations pertaining to transportation by the canal of earlier times. These conditions are such as to invite bird travel and occupation and forbid thick settlement by man. Indeed, the place gives one the feeling of being somewhat isolated from the busy work-a-day world, — a certain sense of remoteness that appeals to the nature lover who finds it necessary to spend the most of his time among the intenser activities of the modern industrial world. At 4.30 o'clock the next morning the eager, expectant ears of the Bird Club were thrilled with the ringing calls of the Cardinal — ** Come /lere ! Come here !'' it seemed to say, and up sprang the bird lovers in haste to be out in the open. The air was rich with the perfumes of apple and cherry bloom, and the rays of the rising sun began to glisten on the dancing waters of the Susque- hanna as the friends gathered by twos and threes to greet each other— and to drink in the glories of the morning. The first notable discovery made was that here were a goodly number of birds quite rare at home. The Yellow-breasted Chat was in evidence on every side, calling from the tallest tree-tops his merry, clownish notes, making no effort at con- cealment ; while ever and anon one would give his unique flight-song accompanied by grotesque antics of legs and wings. The Cardinal Grosbeak, locally known as the Corn Cracker, was equally abundant, as was also the white-eyed Vireo with his wierd, mocking notes. The Carolina Wren, too, was never out of hearing and his wild, rich song seemed too great to issue from so small a throat. With these there were many of the home favor- ites : the Wood Thrush, the Brown Thrasher, the Catbird and the Maryland Yellowthroat ; while flitting from twig to twig with their sweet little murmuring songs were the tiny migrants of the Warbler family, on their long journey from the tropics to the far north, paying their toll of seed and insect with songs almost as soft as a whisper. The bird lovers were grateful for the belated spring, which had delayed the complete leafage of the trees, thus enabling them to obtain clearer views of the active little songsters. After what seemed an astonishingly short time it was suddenly discovered that 7 a.m., the break- fast hour, was near at hand, and when it became necessary to retrace their steps they found that hardly a mile had been covered in the nearly two hours that had elapsed. Only the keen appetites engendered by the early morning walk enabled the enthusiastic birdites to reach the Inn at the appointed hour, for the wierd notes or some unusual stunt of the Chat made pro- gress breakfastward almost impossible. Again and again there was encountered a trio that only this delightful region of the Susquehanna can produce : the Yellow -breasted Chat, the Carolina Wren and the white-eyed Vireo — each apparently vieing with the others to attract the attention of this admiring group. The party soon found its stock of extrava- gant adjectives exhausted in their attempt to de- scribe the striking notes and unique calls of these feathered eccentrics. The Tufted Titmouse seemed never to tire of answering the calls whistled by the male members of the group, and persisted in following the party to the very door of the Inn, fluttering his wings, erecting his crest and turning his beady black eyes alternately upon these strange new species of *^ birds." After a generous and well-prepared breakfast interspersed with eager comments on the morning's experiences, the party repaired to the ample porch overlooking the rippling stream which flowed past the Inn. Here the Phoebe reiterated his impatient call with never-ending persistence, and the me- lodious and incisive notes of the Yellow Warbler were constantly heard, while the animated songs of the handsome little Redstarts, with their at- tractive ** Oriole" suits were much in evidence, as were also the trim little Parula Warbler with its wheezy strain, and his larger and more attractive- ly groomed companion the Black-throated Blue Warbler, whose glossy black and white plumage invariably suggests the good taste and primness of a tailor made suit. At 8 o'clock the party again fared forth, going in the opposite direction,— up the towpath. The handsome black and yellow of the Baltimore Oriole flashed past them many times, and his reso- nant call rang out repeatedly on the morning air, while his smaller and more soberly-dressed cousin the Orchard Oriole, sang his even sweeter and more connected strains. Great flocks of Blue Jays passed over and often alighted close to the party, uttering their harsh '* Jay ! Jay ! Jay !" and at other times giving their sweet and less-known mating notes: *'E-odle! Eo-dle !" Their gray, blue and white plumage was quite resplendent in the morning sunshine and elicited many words of admiration. The bushes and trees along the towpath were fairly alive with migrating warblers, many of which had most strikingly beautiful plumage, for ex- ample : the orange-throated Blackburnian which seemed especially abundant, and the larger Bay- breasted with his bay-colored cap and vest, buffy neck spots, gray and black back, with white wing bars and outside tail feathers. As the latter darted through the branches it was frequently a question with the party whether they were viewing this bird or the similarly plumaged chestnut-sided warbler. But a nearer view of the yellow crown, grayish checks and white under parts quickly revealed it as the latter. The handsome Cape May Warbler vieing in his striking qualities with those just described, was seen many times and never without calling forth exclamations of ardent admiration. The dark reddish crown, chestnut ear-patches, yellow breast heavily streaked with black, back olive-green spotted with black, and heavy white wing spots rendered his identity unmistakable. The uniquely-marked Black-throated Green Warbler was abundant ; the male always easily identified by his solid black throat markings, yellow face and head with dull olive back, white under parts, sides heavily streaked, with black and white wing bars. And even when not seen the highly characteristic song invariably revealed his presence. This song has its first three notes on the same pitch, the fourth two tones lower, and the fifth on on the same pitch as the first, sug- gesting the rapidly pronounced syllables '* chee, chee, chee, choo, chee," with a slight huskiness of quality and the last note more forceful and ab- rupt. Once this is learned it will never be mis- taken for any other warbler song. The striking Kentucky Warbler with his bright yellow breast, yellow line over the eye, strong black line below the eye and extending down both sides of the throat, with upper parts, wings and tail olive green, is not likely to be mistaken for any other member of this family save the Maryland Yellow-throat, which has a black mask entirely covering the eyes and is decidedly smaller, and whose song in nowise resembles the clear whistle of the Kentucky which suggests the words ' ' Pretty ! Pretty ! Pretty ! " the last syllable being about two tones higher than the first, and having I a strong resemblance to the Carolina Wren both ! in form and quality. I Probably the two most notable warblers found during this visit were the very rare Golden-winged I and the beautiful Cerulean, the latter having deli- j cate sky-blue upper parts, white under parts with a fine blackish line encircling the throat. This ex- ! quisite little fellow made a picture of rare beauty, j and owing also to its scarcity in the eastern states, was greatly admired and appreciated. The club was fortunate in visiting this favored 'I J J 158 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 36' 159 spot at the very height of the great northern mi- gration of the warblers, which each year proves such an important event in a bird-lover's life. i The enjoyment of these most interesting and at- tractive creatures which some one has fittingly characterized as ''our most beautiful, most abun- dant and least known birds," has been perhaps the most striking feature of the Bird Club's annual visit to the Susquehanna. ' Frank Chapman in the preface of his book *'The Warblers of North America," speaks as follows concerning this bird family: ''Highly migratory, the extended journeys of warblers are nevertheless performed with regularity which makes their appearance in the spring a fixed calendar event. The very essence of the season is in their flitting forms and lisping voices ; without them May would seem a dreary month and migra- tion of birds lose half its charm. But those dainty, fascinating sprites of the tree- tops are elusive. Years of observation may be required to add to one's list of field acquaintances the last of the thirty odd species which, in eastern North Ameri- ca, may be found in a single locality." Witmer Stone, of the Academy of Natural Sci- ences, Philadelphia, in his "Birds of Pennsyl- vania," enumerates thirty-nine species of this family that may be seen in the state, a few of which are very rare and of which there are only a single or but few records. The club therefore congratulated itself upon the fact that in those two precious days it had seen twenty four species of the thirty-nine recorded for this State. Their little journey was undertaken purely for pleasure and recreation, with no thought as to the economic aspects of bird life. But one can scarcely watch the restless activity of the hordes of warblers at this season ceaselessly gleaning their food from the twigs and leaves without marveling at the myriads of insects which they consume, most of which are injurious to vegetation, and considering what would be the fate of our wood- land and orchards without these busy helpers. Mr. Edward Forbush, State Ornithologist of Massachusetts, says : " It is no exaggeration to say that for the preservation of the forests, which sup- ply the raw material for nearly all wood products, man is largely indebted to birds. * * * Warblers are among the most useful birds of the woods, for to them mainly is given the care of the foliage. Trees cannot live without leaves. Lepidopterous larvae, commonly called caterpillars, are among the greatest of leaf destroyers. They form a great part of the food of warblers and are fed very largely to their young. * * * Warblers never re- ceive credit for the good they do, because the in- sects that they eat are mainly of small size, and the majority of larger species eaten by them are taken in infancy and before they have had a chance to work noticable injury. Warblers de- stroy many of the young larvae of such great and destructive insects as the Cecropia and Polyphe- mus moths while these insects are too small to attract attention. * * * Warblers are obliged to spend a great part of their time in a continual hunt for insects. Digestion in most small birds is continuous and the stomach is filled many times each day. It is sometimes so packed with food that when one is dissected the contents will ex- pand to twice, or, as Professor F. E. L. Beal tells me, nearly three times, the size of that organ." During the day the party was joined by several bird students from the near-by village of Delta, — for the several visits of this Club to Peach Bottom had awakened a strong interest in some of the in- habitants of the locality, and not only had they learned to anticipate the annual arrival of the West Chester Club but had formed a Bird Club of their own, and numerous bird boxes had been given place about their homes. After dinner and an hour of rest, the visitors spent the afternoon greeting their old bird friends and making the acquaintance of new ones, as well as delighting their souls with the beauty of hill and pathway. Great masses of violets carpeted the roadsides, masses of white violets in some places, yellow in others, and the ever present blue purpling the grass everywhere. Ferns of many va- rieties and the season's wild flowers were there in bewildering abundance : the wild geranium, the Brandywine bluebell, the white trillium, the pink trillium and the dainty red columbine. The dog- wood and Judas trees brightened the roadside and the delicate green of the new leaves made it all seem a fairy bower. After supper the friends gathered on the porch and sang songs, recited poems and cracked jokes through the long twilight, then retired to sleep — until again the Cardinal called out "See here! See here! See here!" The Chat laughed and , mewed in the sycamore tree ; the White-eyed I Vireo call " Who are you? Who are you?" while the dainty Maryland Yellow-throat sang of the morning with his "Witchery, witchery, witchery," , which the members of the club frequently inter- preted as " West Chester ! West Chester !" Some regret was expressed at the failure of Old I Sol to show his genial face at the hour of his ex- j pected arrival, and the poor light made bird identi- fication difficult and somewhat dulled the plumage I of the host of brilliant warblers flitting among the j moist green leaves. But there was no diminution I in the number of birds to be seen and heard on every hand. I This early walk covered about the same ground as that of the previous day and yielded some new species not then found, such as the Rose-breasted (Grosbeak, the Purple Finch, the Yellow -throated Vireo and the Least Flycatcher. A few belated Ruby-crowned Kinglets charmed them with views of their brilliant crowns and snatches of their be- witching song. The Indigo Bunting was there, and the Tanager, resplendent in his new suit of scarlet and black. The great waves of Parula warblers which had arrived in increasing numbers during the night was a never-ending source of wonder, since no member of the party had ever known them to be so numerous. In spite of the clouds the early walk yielded about the same number of species as the previous day. During breakfast the rain began to descend, but after a short wait — there being no evidence of clearing — more than half the party donned over- shoes and raincoats and sallied forth in quest of their feathered friends. A short walk brought them to an old orchard containing numerous large apple trees which seemed fairly alive with warblers ; but it soon be- came necessary to raise umbrellas in order that the field glasses should not be so covered with moisture as to become useless. The beautiful Canadian Warbler, showing the lovely dark necklace on his yellow breast was soon discovered, although the season seemed early for his arrival ; and the lowering clouds could not obscure the gorgeous black and yellow of the Magnolia Warbler, as he flitted among the apple blossoms. About lo o'clock the cardinal's cry " Wet year 1 Wet year !" was changed to " Good cheer ! Good cheer!" — for the clouds began to break and in due time the sun shone brightly, gladdening the face of the landscape and the hearts of the Bird Club. Among the features of interest was the discovery of several birds building their nests. The Yellow Warbler was observed busily engaged in construct- ing the foundation for her nest while her mate cheered her with his animated song. And the female cardinal Grosbeak was also observed nest- building. A Redstart which had commenced her nest in an apple tree, found great difficulty in making much progress, because a Yellow warbler persisted in driving her away and attempting to add her quota to the partly completed nest. This contest was watched by several members of the party for more than half an hour. An experience that will not soon be forgotten was the short range observation of the Water Thrushes, as they tilted daintily over the rocks and ferns of the clear, cool streams and sang their wild ecstatic songs in the low bushes. On this day, too, the sibilant notes of the BlackpoU warbler were more in evidence, and its unmusical crescendo and diminuendo efforts were constantly reiterated. The handsome little Blue-winged warblers were noted as especially abundant with their simple and monotonous " Zwe-e-e-e-e," uttered with all the gusto and apparent pride of an opera soloist ; and other inconspicuous notes such as those of the Tennessee and Worm-eating warblers, were fre- quently heard. After dinner a final short walk was taken pre- vious to the preparation for departure on the little ferry at four o'clock. This walk revealed several Hawks that had not been observed before ; among them was the Sharp-shinned and Sparrow Hawks. And finally as the little ferry pushed off" for its journey across the shining river a beautiful Osprey sailed majestically above, circling and wheeling most gracefully. This Osprey made the ninety- third species of birds that had been recorded by the club members during their two days visit ; a record which exceeded the previous year by ten. As the ferrry moved away from the York county shore a group of interested friends waved a cordial farewell, and the snap of a kodak shutter told its own story. And as the party neared the farther shore, plans were already under discussion for the next year's trip. C. E. Ehinger, M.D. The Commissioner of Forestry has referred to the Attorney-General 31 cases of careless or ma- licious setting of forest fires, with a recommenda- tion that prosecutions be brought in every case where the evidence warrants it. Ten other cases are being prepared, and will be submitted to the Attorney-General within a few days. These cases represent over 10 per cent, of the total number of forest fires this spring, a record never before equalled in this State. Prosecutions have been ordered for cases in Blair, Lackawanna, Lehigh, and Monroe counties, and others are expected in Potter, McKean, Westmoreland, and Lycoming counties. In addition, a civil suit for damages resulting from a forest fire in Forest county will be followed by criminal action if the verdict is favorable, and a case in Indiana county will be tried in the September term of court. I It will be the policy of the Department of For- estry hereafter to ask for criminal prosecution in every forest fire case where reasonable evidence i can be secured. 'i V 160 FOREST LEAVES. AD VERTISEM ENTS. New Publications. Seedun- and Planting in the Practice of Forestry. By James W. Tourney, M.S., M.A., Director of the Forest School and Professor of Silvicul- ture, Yale University. Pp. xxxvi + 447> illus- trated. John Wiley & Sons, N. Y. 1916. , Teachers in Forest Schools have been greatly handicapped by the lack of good textbooks. It is only within the last two years that they have been able to get texts written by American authors and suited to American conditions. Unfortu- nately most of these texts have been in the more technical subjects, thus leaving the fundamental and pressing subject of Artificial Regeneration without a complete and usable text. Prof. Toumey has supplied this need. '' Seeding and Planting," as the name implies, is mainly devoted to the subject of Artificial Re- generation. Some seventy pages are used in an elementary treatment of the factors determining the choice of species, the principles determining spacing, the principles governing the composition of the stand, and a statement of natural regenera- tion methods. The major portion of the remainder of the book, some two hundred pages, is concerned with forest tree seeds, seed collecting, and nursery practice. Direct Seeding is treated in forty-two pages, and Planting in eighty. The book is characterized by a most excellent pedagogical arrangement, clearness and accuracy of statement, and informative illustrations. Con- troversial questions either are avoided, or useful summaries of the opposing schools are given. The student is aided by outlines and an italicizing of important statements. The teacher is helped by frequent footnote references to original sources. A comparison of this book with those of Reuss and Fiirst, the leading German works on the sub- ject, shows that Prof. Toumey has retained that portion of European theory which has fundamental value, but has written throughout from the point of view of American practice. This is what we have lacked in too many forestry texts. Moreover, he has not used the practice of any section of the United States exclusively, but has utilized experi- ence gained in widely separated sections. There is lacking one feature, present in other works along this line, viz.: — a statement of the practice with the different species most frequently used in arti- ficial regeneration. The illustrations are exceptionally good and unusually instructive. Mention might be made of the diagram of the arrangement of planting crews in the extensive planting operations of the Pennsyl- vania Forest Service as an example of special in- terest to readers of Forest Leaves. Photographic and diagramatic reproductions of the implements used in nursery work are very numerous and valu- able. The publishers have maintained their reputation for attractive book making. The only error noted was in the lettering of a diagram on page 386. George A. Retan. Afeasuring and Marketing Woodlot Products. By Wilbur R. Matton and William B. Barrows, Forest Examiners. Farmers' Bulletin 715, U. S. Department of Agriculture. A practical and instructive bulletin containing 48 pages supplemented by 13 tables and illus- trated with 13 figures. It should be in the hands of every forester and woodlot owner, for it is full of helpful suggestions and practical procedures. The Twelfth Annual Report of the Massachusetts State Forester. By Frank W. Rane, Boston, Mass. This report of 129 pages, illustrated with many good photographic reproductions and supple- mented with numerous informative tabulations, contains a number of especially interesting and instructive features. In it is found a briefed ac- count of how Massachusetts solved the problem of the unemployed during the late winter of 19 14 by appropriating over $100,000 to be expended by the State Forester upon the improvement and pro- tection of forests and other necessary public work. A discussion of the White Pine Blister Rust and the Chestnut Bark Disea'^e situation and a summa- rization of cooperative work with private owners in improvement and utilization operations are of timely interest. The White Pine Blister Rust. By Perley Spauld- ing. Farmers' P^ulletin 742, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. This bulletin of 16 pages is illustrated with 5 figures and i excellent colored plate. It gives the life history of this destructive introduced disease, and tells what to do with it. A copy of the bulletin can be obtained free of charge by apply- ing to the Superintendent of Public Documents, Washington, D. C. ; The Leaf Blotch of Horse- Chestnut. By V. B. Stewart. Bulletin 371. Cornell University Agricultural Experimental Station, Ithaca, New York. A bulletin of 9 pages with a number of figures and an excellent colored plate giving the life history of a common but rather unknown disease found evervwhere where the Horse- Chestnut grows. The Pennsylvania State College FOUR YEAR COURSE IN FORESTRY. A thorough and practical undergraduate course in technical forestr>' — preparing men for all lines of professional and applied forestry. Special attention is paid to practical field work in surveying, mapping and forest measurements. One of the largest of the State Forest Reserves is within a short walk of the College. For information regarding entrance requirements, expenses, etc., address DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, STATE COLLEGE, PA. FOREST LEI^VE^. THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE Pennsylvania Forestry Association. The attention of the advertising public is called to the advantages we offer as a medium. Address, 1012 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. ^iiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiniiitiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiitiiiiitiiiniiiititiiiitiiitiiiniiniiiniiittiitiniiittiii ll&OnlyGimidPnzei I (Hi^Kesi Award) j given \o I DicHoiuiries I aitke Pansima- I Pacific Exposition^ WEBSTER^ 1 NEW INTERNATIONAL! I FOB I Superiority of Educational Merit I I This new creation answers with j i final authority all kinds of puzzling I 1 questions such as ^'¥lovf\BPrzemysl \ I pronounced?" * 'Where is Flan- \ i dersf " **\Vhat is a continuous voy- \ I ageV *'Whatisa/( ; i : *-*•» '• . V ! p % ^ * r • ». * . h % ■• ^ PUBLISHED BY THE PENNSYiyANIA FORESTIW ASSOC! PHILADELPHIA. PA. ^_ ^ PUBLISHED BY THE PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCI PHILADELPHIA, PA. KOREST LK^AVES Published Bi-Monthly. SUBSCRIPTION, ONE) DOI^I^AR PER YEAR. The attention of Nurserymen and others is called to the advantages of FOREST LEAVES as an advertising medium. Rates will be furnished on application. "CONTENTS: View from Pocono Manor, Pa pute' Editorial i6i Autumn Arbor Day . 162 A Meeting of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire For- ests and the New Hampshire State Forestry Commission .... 162 The Forest in Its Relation to Streams and Stream Pollution 163 A Message from Wild Life League 164 How I Interest the Reading Boys in Wild Bird Life 166 The Curse of the Forest 168 Forest Revival in New England 169 Graduating Exercises at the State Forest Academy, Mont Alto, August 24, 1916 173 Spring Forest Fires 176 Forestry and the General Federation of Women's Clubs 176 f THE PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, Founded in June 1886, Labors to disseminate information in regard to the necessity and methods of forest culture and preservation, and to secure the enactment and enforcement of proper forest protective laws, both State and National. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE, TWO DOLLARS. LIFE MEMBERSHIP, TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS. Neither the membership nor the work of this Association is intended to be limited to the State of Pennsylvania. Persons desiring to become members should send their names to the Chairman of the Membership Committee, 1012 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. President, Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock. Vice-Presidents, Robert S. Conklin, Wm. S. Harvey, Albert Lewis, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, Samuel L. S medley General Secretary, Samuel Marshall. Recording Secretary, F. L. BItler. Treasurer, Charles E. Pancoast. COMMITTEES OF THE PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION: FINANCE— Dr. Henry M. Fisher, Chairman ; Jos. Johnson, Albert Lewis, Chas. E. Pancoast, J. Rodman Paul, H. W. Shoemaker. Joshua L. Baily, Wm. S. Harvey, Henry Howson, • LAW— Dr. Henrv S. Drinker, Chairman ; Hon. Marshall Brown, Hon. Lucien W. Doty, Irvin C. Williams. Geo. F. Craig, W. W. Montgomery, MEMBERSHIP— Albert B. Weimer, Chairman; Walton Clark, Samuel Marshall, Samuel L. Smedley, Hon. Robert S. Conklin, Solan L. Parkes, L. A. Watres, Mrs. Bnnton Coxe, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts. John H. Webster, Jr., Dr. Henry M. Fisher, H. W. Shoemaker, N. P. Wheeler, O. C. HiUard, Mrs. Alexander Van Rensselaer, Dr. W. P. Wilson. F. L. Bitler, Egbert S. Cary, PUBLICATION-Dr. J. T. Rothrock, Chairman : S. B. Elliott, Harrison Souder. Jos. S. lllick, „ ^ ^ WORK— Mrs. Brinton Coxe, Chairman; Mrs. David Reeves, Miss Ethel A. Shrigley, E. E. Wildman. Miss Mary K. Gibson, J. Franklin Meehan, OFFICE OF THE AHHOdATION, 1012 WALNrX KTREKT, PHILADELPHIA 3 ^ Published Bi-Monthly. Entered at the Philadelphia Post-Office as second-class matter. VoLXV.— No. 11 Philadelphia, October, 1916 Whole Number 175 EDITORIAL. THE forest fire season is upon us ! It is well to remember that all forest fires originate from one of three causes : ignorance, care- lessness, or crime. For each forest fire there is some one who merits punishment. The solitary exception to these sweeping statements is in the case where a forest fire is started by lightning, which, in this State, is an exceedingly rare thing. For 240 years law-givers have wrestled in Penn- sylvania with this burning question. It is only within recent years that people have come to real- ize that the suppression of forest fires is after all less a question of law than of education. The mass of our people are inherently law-abid- ing and if they as fully understood the real dam- age caused by forest fires as they do the loss from a city fire, the most potent agency yet enlisted for the suppression of these annual burnings would be awakened. Forests were hindrances to the original settler. The ground was needed for farming, and '* there were forests to burn." Generations have not sufficed to get rid of this idea. It still lingers in the minds of those ** who make haste slowly." Our laws for the prevention of forest fires repre- sent stages in the educational growth required for a fireless spring, or autumn, in the woods. Some were supposed to be helpful and entirely wise. Others were known to be makeshifts, the best that could be done at the time. When, for example, in 1 90 1 the County Commissioners were author- ized to appoint detectives to ferret out and bring to punishment those who created forest fires, it was supposed that there could be no objection to a measure so equitable and just. Yet the law was a signal failure. The citizens of the State were not ready for it. Again, when in 1897 constables were made ex- officio fire wardens, it was well understood that small help could be had from the average con- stable ; but the Legislature was dead set against creation of any new officers and we had to combat an existing evil by the best means at hand. The choice lay between the constables and the road supervisors. But public sentiment is maturing. We are slowly reaching a solid basis for aggressive warfare on forest fires. The railroads of the State are actively co-operating. The public school system is enlisted in the crusade. The sportsmen of the State, who frequent forest and stream, are a unit for fireless forests. In the State Forestry Department is a bureau of Forest Protection, with an active, intelligent Chief Forest Fire Warden, who has the power to appoint competent assistants and to weed out those with unsatisfactory records. Mr. Wirt, as Chief Forest Fire Warden, has new, coherent laws which promise welL His first report has been published by the State Forestry Department. It contains much of interest to the citizens who care to know what the State is doing to perpetuate its own prosperity. A new ally has been invoked and before long the thousands in Pennsylvania can see moving picture films which depict truthfully the destruc- tive, dangerous forest fires that for more than two centuries have wrought havoc here ! The advent of such an educational force is a power for good and merits generous encouragement ! But along with this campaign of education should go the mailed hand of the law, seeking out the cause of every fire and bringing punishment to every one against whom a case can be made out. Above all, however, stands the fact that preven- tion of forest fires is not only better than suppress- ing them, but that it is in the long run cheaper. Every practical lumberman knows this. Every forestry official in the State knows it and longs for such a force of men and such financial support as will head off forest fires before they begin. J. T. R. Oak is the most suitable wood for carving, on account of its durability and toughness, without being too hard. Chestnut, American walnut, mahogany and teak are also desirable, while for fine work Italian walnut, lime, sycamore, apple, pear or plum are generally chosen. Experts of the Forest Service estimate that the farm woodlots of the United States contain from 200 to 300 billion board feet of lumber and from one to one-a-half billion cords of wood. f '>-'A C^ 162 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 25 163 r Autumn Arbor Day. ' 172 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 173 I be used forever as town forests. Such an area of 150 acres was donated to the town of Walpole this year, and another place has been offered 300 acres. In Walpole the school children planted an acre to pines on Arbor Day, each child planting one tree, to which a tag bearing his name was attached. The Forestry Association is now negotiating with the Boy Scouts, to have them make a rough : forest survey of their respective towns, with the ; object of locating suitable areas for Town Forests. | When these areas are located and after the proper inspection has been made by a competent forester, we shall then take up the matter of having some | individual or association in each town buy the area and present it to the town for a town forest. Then it is hoped to have the troop of scouts in the town j do a small amount of planting each year, which will stimulate their interest, as boys, and hold it when they become men. Of course, this will be a slow process, but with the cooperation of the Women's Clubs, we are convinced that all things are possible. | There are many people in Massachusetts who give generously to their towns, and the gift of a forest appeals to many people. It is the most , lasting of monuments to the donor, because the forest will constantly become more useful and more appreciated, while any structure built by a man would soon be a thing of the past. I have spoken chiefly of conditions in Massachu- setts, because they are more or less typical of New " England and because I am most familiar with the forestry problems in that State. As the Executive I officer of the Massachusetts Forestry Association, I have tried to bring forestry to the people as a part of their everyday life. To do so, I have tried to tie it up with those things which most vitally concern them. It takes a long time for the public mind to absorb even the most self-evident truths, but constant repetition has the desired psycho- logical effect. Consequently, a few illustrations are used in nearly every talk on forestry, and a couple of them will be mentioned here. Statis- tics show that over 1,000,000 acres, or a fifth of Massachusetts, is idle or waste land, and this large idle area is one of the direct causes of high taxes and the high cost of living. It is a peculiar condition in New England and particu- larly in Massachusetts, that where a pure stand of white pine is cut clear, as it usually is, the pine does not come back, but hard woods invariably follow the pine. That statement is true, generally, for other sections, but in Massachusetts the grey birch, alder, bird-cherry and scrub oak, tree weeds of no commercial value follow the pine. From the time the pine is cut these areas are waste or something worse. When a pine lot, which was assessed at a good figure, is cut and these tree weeds come in, the assessors reduce the assessed value to a nominal figure, consequently the tax is reduced proportionately. But the tax thus lost must be raised somehow, and the other taxable property in the town must submit to an increase in tax to com- pensate for this loss, and as the woodlands disap- pear, the taxes rise. Another result of taking this land out of the productive class is the scarcity of lumber. That scarcity has been largely responsible for the fact that the cost of lumber of the principal species has more than doubled in the past sixteen years. If you build a house today it will cost you much more than the same house would have cost several years ago, and the high cost of materials is one of the chief causes. Since it costs more to build the house, the rental charge must be higher and this is one of the big factors in the cost of living. This waste land must be reclaimed, either by the State or by the towns, — the individual won't do it. Since the State — and that means the public — is the loser, why should it continue to permit the private owner to mismanage his lands to the impoverishment of the State ? But how are we to go about it ? Any man who owns woodland which is fit only for growing trees, should be required to restock that land with commercial trees, and not permit it to become waste. It is going to take a hard fight to bring that about in this country, but it will come when the public mind is awakened to the justice and common sense of such a policy. Another problem is the more complete disposal of slash, and that must be solved. No man has the moral right to endanger a neighbors' property by creating a fire menace near it. All slash in localities subject to forest fires should be declared a public nuisance, and disposed of at the expense of the owner. Here again the public must be brought to see the justice in such a demand, and to accept any increase in the cost of its lumber that such a policy may necessitate To accomplish reforms of this nature, there should be the closest cooperation among the States that have a common market, because it is obvi- ously unfair to impose such obligations upon the industry of one State and expect it to compete with similar interests in adjoining States that enjoy the same markets. New England has always been and is considered a geographical unit. It is like- wise a trade unit. For these reasons it has been hoped that we can eventually get together and cooperate more closely in bringing about changes in our conservational policies which will work for mutual and permanent benefit. In conclusion, we can say, with some pride, that the public spirited forestry interests in New Eng- land have accomplished a great deal for conserva- tion in the short time that they have been organ- ized in their respective States. That there is a long way still to go is perfectly evident. We have no fears for the future forest policies however, be- cause the public is rapidly becoming enlightened on the subject of forestry, and an informed public can always be counted upon to thwart any self- seeking schemes promoted by unscrupulous indi- viduals or misguided politicians. Especially is this true where a forestry association exists which can be counted upon to safeguard the public interests. That organization, however, must be free from poli- tics itself in order to enjoy the public confidence. So long as our citizens can be kept sufficiently in- terested in the subject of forestry to be willing to support such organizations, we can rest assured that the forestry movement will continue to ad- vance, and that our ideals of practical conserva- tion will ultimately be realized. Harris A. Reynolds. Graduating Exercises at the State Forest Academy, Mont Alto, August 24, igi6. THE graduating class at the Academy was composed of eleven members. The salutatory address was delivered by Mr. Benjamin Davis McPherson, his subject being **The Necessity of Forestry in Pennsylvania." The valedictory was spoken by Mr. Ira Lee Shene- felt, who dealt in his oration with ** Forestry as a Profession." The address to the graduates, entitled **The Birth of a Forest Policy," was delivered by Dr. B. E. Fernow, Professor of Forestry at the Uni- versity of Toronto, Canada, and President of the Society of American Foresters. Dr. Fernow, in speaking of the development of forestry and the forestry idea in Pennsylvania, and the sustained effort which has continually been going forward in this State, spoke as follows : **The one association that not only naturally interests you the most, but was and is still the most vigorous, the Pennsylvania Forestry Associa- tion, was inaugurated at Philadelphia in 1886. I had the honor to be present at its birth as repre- sentative of the federal government as well as of the national association. **I remember how the chairman, in trying to j arouse enthusiasm, declared that the call was ! merely on personal interest and not on the pocket- j book of the would-be members. You may imagine | how this appeal touched me who had suffered from | penuriousness ever since taking hold of the move- 1 ment ! It gave me the cue to my remarks and to the declaration that unless the Society could at once collect and place a working fund of ^5,000 at the disposal of its secretary, it had better not begin work. Fortunately the meeting had been called and was patronized by a group of wealthy men and women who appreciated the force of a working fund. It was subscribed and soon your now veteran Dr. kothrock became secretary and had at once a fund not only enabling him to spend all his time on his educational campaign, but finan- cial support to travel all over the State and reach the people most interested. ** As a fair historian, and without any intention of flattering you, I can say that in no other State did the movement progress so rationally, persist- ently, or efficiently. There is even now no other State which has built out a forest policy in all direc- tions so well. Yours is the only State which has in its administrative organization a full-sized de- partment of forestry. The State, as you know, has bought waste lands and mismanaged wood- lands and has begun to reforest and manage them. Your State has this excellent, almost ideal, forest school to educate your own foresters. There is good legislation and, I hope, execution for the protection of forest property against fire. ** And all this has not come about by accident, but by steady, hard, persistent work on the part of a few men, although I suppose Dr. Rothrock could probably tell you of similar accidents and chances, as I have related to you, that hindered or advanced his work. ** I understand that just now the progress of the work is hampered by financial considerations, but I want to go on record that I consider its direc- tion thoroughly rational." Miss Mira L. Dock, formerly a member of the State Forestry Reservation Commission, being called upon by the Director of the Academy to make an address, spoke briefly, telling of the origin of the expression *^ Conservation of Nat- ural Resources," and detailing in what manner it first came to be used, so far as i^^ now known. Hon. Charles Walter, member of the House of Representatives from Franklin County, was pres- ent and spoke briefly to the graduates and friends, declaring his belief in the usefulness and stability of the Academy and the very important part which it is now playing in forestry work of the State. Mr. Walter has always been a loyal and constant supporter of our forest policy, and in the Legis- lature lost no opportunity to support the Depart- ment of Forestry and further its purposes whenever he was able. Mr. D. A. Orr, editor of the ^^ Valley Spirit," Chambersburg, who was also present, felicitated /■. \t 174 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 3-1 175 the audience on the occasion, and delivered the following address : , • i t u *'l shall not belittle an honor which i mucn esteem by affecting to be either unprepared or disqualified. I have pleasure in appearing here ; whether you shall share that pleasure with me, 1 prefer not to cloud you with doubts from the start. **Mr. Commissioner, Mr. Director, ladies and gentlemen, and, best of us all, young men who are nurslings about to be transplanted, you who are about to step from the shaded nooks and refresh- ing gardens into the almost illimitable fields of endeavor and the ever- expanding forests of hope, growth, and cultivation : '*I think my earliest introduction to forestry theoretically was when the old time copy of ' Tall Oaks from Little Acorns Grow ' was set before me and I was instructed to prepare a dissertation on the oak. I persevered in this with such success that when my thesis fell under the observation and acid test of my instructor he wrote across it ' Great aches from little toe corns grow. ' His line was not original, but it was understood; although he could have more easily marked it ' N. G.' ^* I had an intuitive regard for forest conserva- tion, widened by the poem of ' Woodman Spare That Tree ' compulsorily committed to memory, and can well remember how I shrunk from being even an unwilling party to forest destruction when I saw the cordwood at the woodshed door and was asked to take up the cruel axe as the whetted in- strument by which the slain monarch of the forest was to be severed, limb from limb, as it were, for fuel, and, therefore, suggest myself as an expert rather than a tyro. '< I am sure that I speak for this intelligent audi- ence when I say that we annually follow with a singleness of interest the public proceedings here, where the material results of each year's academic labor are visualized. Naturally enough and more intensively we follow, as it is given to us, the young men who go out. They are not like the grim soldier who, with storming heart, goes to do service for his State and country ; is lost as an individual in the swell of brigades and divisions ; swallowed and made one of a huge unit. Each of these young men is set aside as a jewel of the State to shine his brightest, marked, classified, specifi- cally stationed. He is not put into the belly of the earth to drudge and moil through hardship and risk. The missiles of death are not hurled at him to alarm, maim and murder. His is a work in a glorifying sunshine with ripe opportunities for independent and splendid development. These young men are already on the Commonwealth's honor roll, a position gained by manly obedience, assiduous study, and purposeful determination. They have faithfully striven for and honorably won through three years of physical and mental alertness a thorough knowledge of the rudiments of a life profession. They now go out to the open, uniformed, epauletted, to give newer and broader service to a generous State. **I shall not trespass within the lines of the experts who have preceded me, with description, or suggestion. I have taken my simple part here today more with the hope of impressing these young men with the fact that other eyes than those of experts and dendrologists and former associates engaged in like purpose are watching them now and will as interestedly follow them afar. My own cribbed calling is that of a newspaper man, a minor dabbler in literature, if you please, but I shall soar above them in that newspaper Zeppelin, which is always an object for observation, and sometimes one of destruction. I shall turn my binoculars toward the Delaware, the great Chesapeake, the Ohio, and the lakes, and see what return each of the eleven young men assembled ' here today is making to help him bear his honors. ^^Pennsylvania stands elevated in the great science and vocation of forestry development and conservation. Nor is this surprising when we consider the liberality of legislatures — a hand sometimes, however, selfishly withheld— and the force, continuity, intelligent leadership of the Conklins, the breadth, research and zeal of the Rothrocks, the Wirts, the Zieglers, the Illicks, their contemporaries, and those who have with unfailing fervor stood by the side of these and like young men during their three years of study and laborious experiment. ^^I shall digress long enough to say just this word in praise of a consistent curriculum here which I have heard extolled by practical educators as sanely flexible. It is not, however, so pliant as that of the school of which this story is told . '' 'I trust,' said the anxious parent, * that there is nothing in the college curriculum that will en- danger my son's patriotic spirit.' ** 'My dear madam,' said the Professor, * our school fairly breathes the atmosphere of the new Americanism on all sides. We have even cut out the hyphen in the use of compound words.' '' Nor is here faddism so bred in the bone that it becomes a disease, as may be illustrated in the vouched-for story about the celebrated Dr. Deaver, known to many of us, much famed for a thousand successful operations upon the human appendix. Weary and worn one day the doctor asked his wife that he be left to himself for an afternoon, free from servants or other annoyances. She com- plied. He threw himself down in relief. When the good wife returned several hours later, she found the eminent surgeon much refreshed, but she saw that heavy volume, Webster's Unabridged, lying on the floor. Stooping to replace the tome, she found that the extra-professional has asserted itself. The eminent surgeon had cut out the appendix. j ** Circumstances and conditions have so favored ' me that for several years past it has been my good fortune to know many of these young men person- i ally, most of them to the point of admiration, and to know with a gratifying and reciprocal advantage most of these, their leaders, like the able and de- termined Ziegler, the broad-minded, deep-pene- trating and zealous Illick, the studious and com- prehensive Wirt. Their eff'orts have not been put 1 on parade by the result of their work, which has ' been loud-voiced in their praise, and the State owes them an obligation which cannot be repaid in honors nor in coin. | ** These young men have chosen wisely in prose- cuting this profession. It has been mine in the past to have heard many magnificent voices in , song, oratory, the mimic stage, declamation, re- ' cital, argument, but never have I heard equaled the deep, profound diapason coming from the trees, the keys of the Omnipotent's massive organ, the strings of the exquisite harp of nature. The Almighty voice may thunder in dignity and power through the mighty ocean's wave, or empty from the clouds, but its appeals, its commands, its ten- derness, its sweet sympathy come never so impres- sive as through the cleavages of the forest, whether it rides upon the storm, whispers like the lisping lover in the leaves, wails in the branches, or in proud resistance and defiance comes from the great sylvan king itself. **If it be not amiss, Mr. Commissioner and Mr. Director, I should like to stop just a moment longer to say one more direct word to our young volunteers. You are not going to the gloom of remoteness. But you are stepping far out from electric lights and glaring pave and their accom- panying satisfactions. The patriarchal Dr. Elliot has fixed for us all a literary book shelf. Let me in feeble imitation ask each of the young eleven, wherever assigned, to take with him not as camp baggage but as companions : A Testament ; A picture of his mother ; The hymnal of his own or his parents' church ; And one or more volumes of fiction from the anointed pen of such students of nature as Thomas Harvey, which enlarge the mind and make it radiate, which warm and stir the heart and raise to lofty heights in weary hours the stolid soul. **I have said nothing of the picture of the sweetheart, who is yet to be the wife. This I am sure ample provision has been made for, perhaps in duplicate or triplicate. **The English poet Alfred Noyes, whom some of us have the pleasure of knowing, says in his late book of 'Princeton Verse,' which he has so admirably edited, that ' There is no grace or strength in literature unless the form and thought be in perfect harmony.' Sir Francis Bacon urged that 'every man owes a debt to his profession.' In each expression, more than two centuries apart in utterance, is embodied the primal injunction — unify high purpose with your development, and achievement will loosen its rigid lineaments and cast upon you its rewarding smile. " Young men, three years ago you were enlisted. You now go with the colors and your fate shall be good or ill according to your deserts. You are fairly armed, your lances are strong and piercing and badged as Knights of Sylvan, panoplied, in a noble cause, you seek the forest Arden to find, as did the exiled duke, ' Tongues in trees, books in running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything,' including, mayhap, the coy and worthy Rosalind. " I have spoken of the war of hate and blood. Yours is a battle of peace, in noble forest, on open hillside, or in flowered glen. The protecting hand of a great Commonwealth shields and aids you. Seek not always the well-trodden paths nor loiter long by the luring runnels The misty hill- tops of success are not as distant as they seem. You shall commune with other than trees and un- tutored animal life. You shall confront men and these you must meet as living men, and, gathering from them wisdom, give them of your knowledge. Act with foresight and yield your best ungrudg- ingly. Not only in school but in the jars and accidents of common life too many err in remem- bering longest what they should forget quickest. " For three years more you are wards of the State. You should honor it as it has honored you. Good-bye and God bless us all." The eleven graduates have been assigned to their duties as State Foresters, and entered upon the practice of their new profession September 15th, 19 1 6. They have been directed to their stations as follows : Mr. Benj. Davis McPherson is detailed to the Department for temporary work. Mr. James N. Morton as assistant to Forester A.* C. Silvius, at Laurelton, Union county. Mr. Joseph Ralph Blouse as forester on the Whetham State Forest, Clinton county. Mr. Charles Clarence Hogeland, assistant to Forester Warfield, at Milroy, Mifflin county. % nv:> 176 FOREST LEAVES. Mr. Harold Foster Port as assistant to Forester Mulford, at Asaph, Tioga county. Mr. E. S. Smith as assistant to Forester Wil- liams, at Pine Grove Furnace. Mr. Ira Lee Shenefelt as assistant to Forester Strobeck, at Analomirik, Monroe county. Mr. H. A. Smith as forester on the McClure State Forest, at East Waterford, Juniata county. Mr. Marvin Harley Moyer as forester on the State Forest, at Slate Run, Lycoming county. Mr. Lewis May Detz temporarily assigned to work in the Department. Mr. Joseph Calvin Middour as forester on the north end of the Caledonia Forest, at Clever^- burg, Cumberland county. Spring Forest Fires. ¥ORE than 100,000 acres of forest land in Pennsylvania w^ere burned over during the 1 9 16 spring forest fire season, accord- ing to figures given out by the Department of Forestry. The total number of forest fires for the whole State was 505, and the resulting loss in | timber destroyed is estimated at about gi 70,000 The fall fire season is just opening, and may add considerably to the figures of 1 916. Forest fires burned in 46 of the 67 counties of Pennsylvania, and 20 of these 46 counties lost over 1,000 acres of forest each. The causes of the fires are given as follows : Railroads, 169; brush burning on dry or windy days, 39 ; incendiary, 58 ; carelessness of campers, 39 ; carelessly conducted lumbering operations, 37 ; lightning, 5 ; miscellaneous, 30 ; unknown, 138 ; total 505. The total cost of extinguishing all the fires was about- $12,000. Since the Bureau of Forest Protection was es- tablished last year, special efforts have been made to have the fire wardens take greater pains in de- termining the causes of forest fires. As a result, the bills for extinguishing 27 of the fires have been paid by those whose carelessness caused them, 8 prosecutions and investigations have been ordered by the Attorney General's Department, and 27 cases are pending in which the Attorney- General will be asked to bring action in case a settlement out of court cannot be effected. There are 592 consumers of tannin in the United States who use annually 625,000 cords of hemlock bark, 290,000 cords of oak bark, and 380,000 cords of chestnut wood. Forestry and the General Federation of Women's Clubs. THE twentieth anniversary of the introduction of Forestry as part of the work of the Gen- eral Federation of Women's Clubs, was celebrated at its thirteenth Biennial meeting held in New York, May 23rd to June ist, 1916, by reading the original resolution on May 29th, the same day of the month on which it had been adopted at the third Biennial held in Louisville, Ky., in 1896, This resolution, as written by Mrs. John Gifford, is as follows: *' Res lved that '' Whereas, There is nothing of more para- mount importance to the welfare of State and nation than the preservation and economic devel- opment of our natural resources ; and ** Whereas, It is everywhere apparent that the wicked and wasteful destruction of our forest cover is a direct robbery of these resources, and should be checked by every measure, both of private en- deavor and legislative enactment ; and '' Whereas, It is self-evident that if these threat- ening conditions are realized and public sentiment aroused, an incalculable benefit will be conferred on our entire nation ; be it ** Resolved, That as General Federation of Women's Clubs, and as individual clubs, as far as possible, we pledge ourselves to take up the study of forest conditions and resources, and to further the highest interests of our several States in these respects. ' ' Through the co-operation of State Chairmen with many agencies. Federal, State and municipal, a Conservation Exhibit was held in the Armory throughout the Biennial, which was pronounced of exceptional beauty and practical value, the lead- ing exhibits being Forestry, placed by the New York State College of Forestry and eleven State Departments; and Preservation of Scenery, as shown by National Parks and various State Parks and preserves. Secretary Lane was the chief speaker at the Biennial. Forestry has never had a more constant and loyal friend than the General Federation. A hopeful feature for the future was the many young and enthusiastic State Chairmen present, whose record of work accomplished, and in prospect, was notable for the manner in which work in most States was limited to one or two measures until success was assured. The day of indefinite under- takings is past. MiRA Lloyd Dock. ADVERTISEMENTS. The Pennsylvania State College FOUR YEAR COURSE IN FORESTRY. A thorough and practical undergraduate course in technical forestry — preparing men tor all lines of professional and applied forestry. Special attention is paid to practical field work in surveying, mapping and forest measurements. One of the largest of the State Forest Reserves is within a short walk of the College. For information regarding entrance requirements, expenses, etc., address DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, STATE COLLEGE, PA. FOREpT LEI^VEp. THE OFFICIAL ORGAN UF THE Pennsylvania Forestry Association. One ton of coniferous wood waste will produce from 15 to 25 gallons of 190-proof alcohol. The attention of the advertising public is called to the advantages we offer as a medium. Address, 10 1 2 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. ^iiiii:;.i>'.!:;i.ii"!!!::::-""" iiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiitiitiiiiniintttiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiinini^ Why 1 not give your | boy and girl an | opportunity to | make their /iome | study easy and | effective f Give | them the same | chances to win pro- | motion and success | as the lad having the | advantage of | WEBSTER^ I NEW INTERNATIONAL | Dictionary in his home. This new | creation answers with final author- = ity all kinds of puzzling questions | in history, geography, biography, | spelling, pronunciation, sports, arts, | and sciences. | 400,000 Vocabulcry Terms. 2700Pafte8. = Over 6000 Illustrations. Colored Plates. | The only dictionary with the Divided Page. = The type matter is equivalent to that | of a 15-voliiine encyclopedia. | More Scholarly, Accurate, Convenient, | and Authoritative than any other Eng- = lish Dictionary. | REGULAR I AND i INDIA- i PAPER I EDITIONS. I WRITE for I specimen pages, = illustrations, etc. = . FREE, a set of Pocket | Maps if you name this = paper. § G. & C. MERRIAM CO., | SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 1 'iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirre ADVERTISE IN FOREST LEAVES. RATES I insertion. i ■ 6 nsertions. la insertions. I inch, • • $1.00 $4.00 $8.00 ^ page, . . 4.00 17.00 34.00 J^ •• . . 7.00 30.00 60.00 X " . . 12.00 50.00 100.00 *v==MAT« iMK^^ PUBLISHED BY THE ._ PENHSYU/ANIA FORESTR/ ASSOCIATION flfff ^ PHILADELPHIA, PA INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE i^^-^^-2?'^il^ %^ r^. ^YXj^ SJ* '2, ■^1 ^ •iw; ?-^-. inm> I H~ V lAi: *k:. 7%^^^-^^^' l^sL >Cv\ ^ /: te^/X' ■-2^-^ iw^ C\' 1^ 7^^^^ "^Vr^/ :^ •^fv^ > l'^' .-^s .tJvv^f- DECEMBER. 1916 L^j:: >^v V( ^^«^^-^A: -^ 1^3 '^' •;^is ^2^( ;^ ICj.vI \f^^ ■>^i\ .'.-rj:T> = '^i:'^'-'^-: »• PUBLISHED BY THE •**!«? r R-i^, . ?^> < * ^a'e '0 PENNSYU/ANIA FORESTIW ASSOCIATION PHILADELPHIA. PA. ^1 FOREST LKAVES Published Bi-Monthly. SUBSCRIPTION, ONE DOl^I^AR PER YEAR. The attention of Nurserymen and others is called to the advantages of FOREST LEAVES as an advertising medium. Rates will be furnished on application. CONTENTS: page -, Cover View of White Pine planted 56 years ago in Germany pute Editorial ^^^ Forest Protection in Pennsylvania ^77 The Farm Woodlot American Trees in Germany • • ^^^ Problems of the Pennsylvania Department of Forestry and the Use of Data to be Derived Therefrom ^^5 Game and Wild Bird Protection : What it Means to the People ... 188 New Publications ^^^ THE PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, Founded In June 1886, Labors to disseminate information in regard to the necessity and methods of forest culture and preservation, and to secure the enactment and enforcement of proper forest protective laws, both State and National. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE, TWO DOLLARS. LIFE MEMBERSHIP, TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS. Neither the membership nor the work of this Association is intended to be limited to the State of Pennsvlvania. Persons desiring to become members should send their names to the Chairman of the Membership Committee, 1012 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. President Emeritus, Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock. President, Dr. Henry S. Drinker. Vice-Presidents, Robert S. Conklin, Wm. S. Harvev, Albert Lewis, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, Samuel L. Smedley General Secretary, Samuel Marshall. Recording Secretary, F. L. Bitler. Treasurer, Charles E. Pancoast. COMMITTEES OF THE PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION: FINANCE— Dr. Henry M. Fisher, Chairman; Wm. S. Harvey, Albert 1 ewis, J- Ro^m^n Paul, Henry Howson, Chas. E. Pancoast, H W. Shoemaker. Jos. Johnson, ^. . LAW— Dr. Henry S. Drinker, Chairman; Hon. Marshall Brown, Hon. Lucien W. Doty, Irvin C. Williams. Geo. F. Craig, W. W. Montgomery, MEMBERSHIP— Albert B. Weimer, Chairman; Walton Clark, Samuel Marshall, Samuel L. Smedley, Hon. Robert S. Conklin, Solan L. Parkes, L. A. Watres, Mrs. Brinton Coxe, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, John H. Webster, Jr.. Dr. Henry M. Fisher, H. W. Shoemaker, N. P- Wheeler O. C. Hillard, Mrs. Alexander Van Rensselaer, Dr. W. P. Wilson. PUBLICATION - Dr. J. T. Rothrock, Chairman ; F. L. Bitler, S. B. Elliott, Harrison Souder. Egbert S. Cary, Jos. S. Illick, WORK— Mrs. Brinton Coxe. Chairman; Mrs. David Reeves, Miss Ethel A. Shrigley, E. E. Wildman. Miss Mary K. Gibson, J. Franklin Meehan, OFFICK OF THK AHSOCIATIOX, 1012 WALNTT HTBKKT, FHILADKLPHU FOREST IvKAVKS Published Bi-Monthly. Entered at the Philadelphia Post-Oflfice as second-class matter. VoL XV.— No. 12 Philadelphia, December, 1916 Whole Number 176 EDITORIAL. rT7HE Pennsylvania Forestry Association began I its useful career in 1886. It is, therefore ^ thirty-one years old. The annual meeting for the election of officers was held on December nth. During the period intervening since the birth of our Association, many other organizations having definite and desirable objects in view, have started, flourished for a longer or shorter period and died with their hopes unrealized. Our Association started with a fixed purpose, to which it has strictly adhered. Whatever new is- sues have arisen have been subordinated to the main object : — Care and reproduction of Pennsyl- \ vania Forests on land which would be useless without the forests. In a word our purpose has been accomplished in so far as the creation of a definite State Poorest policy can render the ulti- mate success of the work assured. It is proper that a just recognition of the long and invaluable services of our late President, Mr. John Birkinbine, be rendered. Year after year, at a cost to himself, he continued to shape our policy. Our confidence in him remained to the last. Meanwhile the possibilities of forestry have enormously expanded, The term is no longer confined to protection and restoration of timber, with conservation of water as a result, but has come to include forest-covered outing grounds for the people. Instead of the forestry advocate pleading for a hearing, the call for wider forest ranges comes from many interests seeking for a share in the benefits growing out of State Forest Reserves. ^ 1^his, in one sense, is part of a general unrest, which we hope will eventually shape itself to the advantage of mankind. From every side comes the demand for more sunshine and less distress in life. It is no ex- aggeration to say that the outers on the State lands number many thousands each year, and the crowd becomes larger every season. Twenty years ago we sought to keep intruders off of the State Lands, for fear that they would destroy the timber, or start destructive forest fires. Now we invite the public to use the ground, to participate in the joys of ownership so long as they violate no laws. We know now to a certainty that the more our citizens enjoy these privileges the better the land is protected and the safer every forest interest becomes. It is an open secret that the Legislature will be importuned this winter, as never before, by thou- sands of good citizens seeking extension of forest privileges and asking for an increase of acreage of Forest reserves. This is all a sign for good and merits our encouragement and support. This demand was made possible more by the work of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association than by any other one organization. We are the pioneers in this movement to the woods for '' life, liberty and pursuit of happiness." But who would have anticipated, when the As- sociation was formed, that this <*trek" to the woods was to be one of its outgrowths? It is time for us to ^^ get busy " again and grasp vigorously the wider chances which offer for use- ful work. J- ^' ^' Forest Protection in Pennsylvania. (Presented at the Reading Meeting of the Pennsylvania Korestry Association.) r T7HE present situation in Pennsylvania Forest I Protection, as it relates to forest fires, is "^ not entirely one on which Pennsylvanians should congratulate themselves, for the progress in actual protection is not being made that niust be in order that the structure of conservation shall not come tumbling about our ears. The methods of detection and location of fires have advanced. The work of extinguishing them hay been partially systematized and expedited, but no material ad- vance in the reduction of the number has been "^ The acre area of fires and the attendant loss and the average cost of extinction per fire have been re- duced, but we have not devised or operated any scheme for more adequate prevention^ Fennsyl- vania, today, stands in as dire need of P^o ec on as twenty years ago, if the definition of protection as being prevention is accepted. <" 0 178 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES'. 179 This condition of affairs may be brought di- rectly home to our citizens by three direct routes: ist, lack of adequate financial support; 2nd, lack of co-operation; 3rd, criminal carelessness. The first is most important, for, with the neces- sary money available, the means for the elimina- tion of the other two will rapidly become operat- Appeals to the Legislature have been vain ive. in the past, so in the future the voters themselves must assume a share of the burden, and insist that their representatives give Forest Protection its necessary financial aid. The second will be removed only with the pro- gress of a well planned educational effort, with possibly a little compulsion by the law making body. The third requires a little of each of the reme- dies for the preceding two, combined with better means to enforce the present statutes, and an awakened public conscience in the jury box. Prevention, not extinction, is the goal of all our activities and ambitions. It should and must receive a large portion of our skill and energy, and a larger portion of the State's financial aid, for the degree of prevention is the gauge of suc- cess in this as in all other public endeavor. To- day twenty to twenty-five times as much is spent for location and extinction as for prevention, and this is neither wise nor just. If an ounce of pre- vention ever be worth a pound of cure, it surely holds good here. Consider a little first-hand information as to present conditions and needs, derived from the men on whose shoulders falls the actual work of forest protection. These men are and should be better informed than any other class of people, about the factors which enter into this problem, and the ways and means necessary for its solution. We all know and deplore our limitations in actual prevention, but unanimously place the responsi- bility where it belongs, and that is on the lack of means necessary for the construction and operation of an adequate, efficient system. There are various factors included in such a system, but adequate patrol is primary. The known presence of honest, alert, fearless men at unknown places in forest districts, has a greater restraining influence on maliciously inclined per- sons, and is a greater corrector of negligent prac- tices than any other, or indeed, all other factors combined. Patrolmen are needed badly; but men cannot work without pay, and for this there is no money. Next to patrol, it is believed that fostering and increasing a co-operative spirit between private land owners and the forest using public, employing education and publicity, is the most potert means of eliminating and reducing fire hazards. It is remarkable that the people apparently do not ap- preciate the fact that it is their money expended for fire extinction, and their revenues depleted when valuable timber is destroyed. They do not seem to understand their financial interest in every fire which occurs on either State or private land, but more especially so on State Forests, for here it is the case of an investment in which every tax payer is a stock holder. Better and more rigorous application of the legislation against known fire dangers such as rail- roads, portable saw mills, careless burning of brush, and the like, is an absolute necessity. The railroads are beginning to appreciate their personal responsibility in fires which occur on, or start from, their rights of way, but the fire reports for 19 1 4 would indicate that this appreciation is not very marked or active. It is the duty of the rail- roads of this State to maintain efficient patrol along those portions of their lines which traverse wooded regions, both as a protection to adjoiiling land owners, who are prospective shippers, and to reduce the drain on their own finances from dam- age suits. The practice of burning fallows and brush with- out any assurance that the fire will not endanger neighboring land is all too common, and should not be tolerated. Other states find that prohibit- ing brush burning without a permit from protec- tion officials has proved satisfactory, so it is surely worth trying here. However elaborate the prevention system in the State Forests may be, it will be inefficient until some preventive measure be extended to adjoining private land, and all large private holdings, either entirely at State expense, or by the extension of financial assistance by the State to the owners or by compulsion of the owners. The Commonwealth ought not to be expected to do all. Some means of preventing individuals from shirking responsibility for the protection of their own holdings must be devised. But all do not shirk. There are several co-operative associa- tions doing efficient work in a fine way; but some responsibility should be placed on those who be- lieve in ^'letting George do it." There is little doubt that much of the ineffi- ciency in prevention is due to the lack of proper incentive for local fire wardens to be everlastingly on the job. This '^patriotic duty" talk is fine for political purposes, but it is the good hard dollar that gets the efficient American every time. At present wardens do not receive pay for hunting a suspected fire, so they do not start on their duties until the fire is self evident. Fire wardens should be paid a salary large enough to cover their average annual earnings from fire fighting, with a small sum additional for assuming the responsibility of the office. In this case they would have to in- vestigate all reports of fire, and would receive no extra pay for extinguishing it. This is evidently the intent of the recent Act creating the Bureau of Forest Protection, but lack of appropriation makes its full application impossible at present. A brief retrospect will show you that each of the foregoing needs means money. Greater liber- ality on the part of the Legislature is demanded, and this may be made possible by team work from the people who elect that body. Now consider the requirements for prompt de- tection, exact location, and speedy extinction of fires, for these are just as necessary as means for prevention. While a start has been made in the erection of lookouts and telephone lines, the equipment in this class is sadly deficient. Even on most of the State Forests an old tree, with a board for a seat, is the only facility for rangers and patrolmen to get above brush and trees to secure a clear and unobstructed view of their regions. Seldom is it possible to find a tree of sufficient height in an ad- vantageous location. A tree swaying in the wind 1 is an impossible location for the use of a range I finder or similar instrument for locating smoke. I A tree is insecure and dangerous. The use of j steel towers will give the advantage of choice of location, optional height, rigid and permanent location for instruments, and safety for the watch- man. Today there are four such steel towers in use on State Forests, and there should be many times that number on State and private lands. Telephone facilities outrank lookouts in degree of importance and necessity. Observation with- out instant communication is valueless. Most lookouts are and will be located a considerable distance from headquarters and available labor supply. Bad roads make speed from lookout to office impossible. In the meanwhile the fire has now assumed such size that, visible over the whole district, further notice to foresters and wardens is useless. Here we must take credit for the work that has been done in providing telephone com- ; munication for administrative and protection pur- poses on State Forests. The Department of Forestry has been using every means possible for the construction of lines and installation of instru- ments, and the men in the field have been just as diligent in making the most of the money and materials supplied. But what has been done is a mere beginning on that which is necessary. From all districts comes the cry, more telephones and lines. Those exist- ing only emphasize more clearly the necessity for many more. Adequate telephone facilities mean instant knowledge by foresters and wardens that a fire has started and its exact location; immediate access to the services of men necessary to ex- tinguish it; and the saving of hundreds of acres, thousands of dollars in timber damages, and a very considerable portion of extinction costs. Another insistent demand is for more and bet- ter roads. The existing roads were evidently not planned, they simply happened. Entirely too few in number, with no respect for grades, rocks, water, or length, they reach their ultimate ends after much winding and turning. Apparently the original makers were not pressed for time, and neither is it possible for us to save time where they are used. The enforced use of these roads means great loss of time in reaching a fire, woeful waste of human energy, and, where we are fortu- nate to have them, the rapid depreciation of horses and wagons. The time saving is most important. Each quarter hour's delay in attacking a fire means greatly increased loss, for a forest fire increases in size by a sort of geometrical progression. You will recall that a few minutes ago reference was made to the lack of efficiency in prevention, where the same measure of prevention means is not extended to private as well as State lands. The same thing holds good regarding lookouts, telephones, and roads, for in most cases surround- ing private lands are a greater menace to the State lands than any other cause if left unprotected. Can you imagine any possible use for a telephone line, or road which has no outlet? Possibly the most easily satisfied of all the needs is the lack of proper tools and equipment. Axes, rakes, torches, brush hooks, saws, cant hooks, shovels, and mattocks are absolutely indispensable if foresters, rangers, and wardens are to do efficient work. Just as rapidly as money is available, the foresters are being supplied with these tools, and at present most are fairly well equipped; but the local wardens, who are the protectors of thousands of acres of private lands, have no tools except a few which they have made or purchased. They should not be expected to supply this equipment for there is not sufficient compensation in the business to warrant any personal expenditure on their part. A very conservative estimate of the amount ot land burned over in the past few years which would have been saved had all protection officials been supplied with proper tools is 25 per cent. Without tools the only thing that can be done is to make use of the nearest road to the fire, whether it be 100 feet or 100 rods away. Very often there is more land burned over by a back ^ ^'^ 180 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 181 fire than by the main fire. Posses ion of tools means just the difference between attack and de- fense. Out of lo miles of fire hne, on one S^te Forest, only about i mile traversed a road. 1 he line was cut, raked, and fired as close to he original fire as the heat, smoke, and danger would allow. In some cases only a few feet mtervened, in others possibly loo yards. R^^f ^^^^^ ^^^/Z;, made only to the back-firing method, for at least five years experience has shown three men in the southern districts, that it is the safest, most effi- cient, and, in the final analysis, the cheapest method for use in the brush and coppice of the broad leaved forests. In addition to tools, some means of transport- ing men and equipment, for at least the major por- tion of the distance to a fire, should be provided. This is a time saver and conserver of human energy which will be greatly needed later on We have spoken previously of the lack of effi- ciency in local fire wardens, and remedies such as salary and tools, but there is another phase to be considered. Probably a great part of their sup- posed inefficiency is due to a lack of knowledge of proper ways and means of fire extinction. Ihe wardens have always seen fire attacked along a certain plan, such as beginning at the back of a fire and working up along the sides, back firing up a hill etc.; and have never been taught any other scheme. They should be instructed, preferably in meetings with other wardens and forestry otti- cials, in the proper way to handle a fire, --always to attack a fire at the head, to back fire down hill wherever possible, to take care of both sides at the same time, and most important of all, to make all possible speed in attacking a fire. Many wardens do not seem to recognize the importance of haste. Instructions should also be given in the proper organization of men and their handhng. A fine start on this work has already been made, and will be pushed along as vigorously as possible. In connection with the work of the wardens the need of their organizing their men into crews which will instantly and cheerfully respond to a fire call at all times must be emphasized. The fire wage question is a hard one to solve. It is hardly fair to take a man away from a 20c per hour job to work for 15c, and likewise it is dangerous to pay a 1 5c man 20c, as has been proved in the past. Just how this will be settled and the wage determined has not yet been definitely ar- ranged. The final need is what may be called a l^orest Fire War College. This means a survey of each forest district, locating all fire hazards, means of •access and communication, growth and soil types, and the placing of this data on topographic maps. Then ways and means of conquering a fire in a certain place and under certain conditions must be studied and planned, so that whenever a fire occurs we will know just what to do. Prepared- ness in forest protection is just as necessary as any ""'TheTS^one obstacle to efficient protection which has not been mentioned before for the reason that it is one over which we bave li tie con- trol and that is the deficient supply of abor in many places. It is most discouraging to be com- pelled to attack a big fire with only four or five men, yet this is as many as can be secured in some localities. The only solution of this difficulty seems to be the supplying of enough steady work to support more men and their fami les. We all appreciate the fact that the needs and their remedies call for the expenditure of money but such a stupendous sum as might be imagined is not needed. The available funds for all protec- tion purposes in the State amount to about 3 mills per acre, based on the estimate that there are abou ;, 500,000 acres of forest land. Increasing that three mills to one cent per acre, which is the amount some other states allow, would make avail- able about $75,000.00 per year This would place within reach the means for adequate preven- tion and extinction. It would mean the saving of much valuable timber, and the reduction of ex- tinction cost on those fires which do occur. It will never be possible to prevent all fires, tor accidental causes cannot be eliminated, neither can human nature be changed. Even Germany, that forestal star, to which many of us hitch our I little wagons, loses, by fire, 0.02 per cent, of its I forested area per annum, but Pennsylvania has 1 averaged 20 per cent, of its forested area annually 1 for the past 12 years. One district of less than ' 40,000 acres, from March 13th to May 26th of ' this year, has had 34 fires, which burned over 775 acres, caused ? 1,7 7 5- 00 timber damage, and cost ^104.99 to extinguish. Of these fires 75 percent, were of incendiary origin, indicating the need of better law enforcement, much education, and more and better patrol service. To summarize briefly: For prevention, a more extensive and intensive patrol is needed, a much higher degree of co-operation with land owners and the general public must be developed; we must safeguard more completely the known fire dangers; some way of compelling individuals to shoulder, at least some portion of the protection responsibility on their own lands should be pro- vided; we should extend the same degree of pro- tection to private lands as to State land; and i would advise the placing of local fire wardens on I a salary basis. For the location and extinction of fires more lookouts, more telephone lines and instruments, more and better roads, adequate tools and equip- mint are all requisite. Local wardens must be supplied with tools and instructed in proper methods of fire control. Finally, a more system- atic study of conditions and previous planning of attacks on fires should be made. All these things are very essential, but we must place fire prevention as the ultimate aim of all en- deavors, for it is the foundation on which rests the entire structure of forest conservation. Robert G. Conklin. The Farm ^A^oodlot. (Presented at the Reading Meeting of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association.) THE problem of the farm woodlot is one j which has long been neglected, although j one of the chief forest problems of the I State. If we considered only the number of peo- ple in the State who are interested in the forestry problems, the woodlot problem without doubt would be the most important of them all. The importance of the woodlot to the farm itself can be noted from the following uses: The production of wood material for use on the farm. The production of a revenue. The woodlot besides furnishing the farm with the wood pro- ducts needed, should also furnish wood for sale to help pay for taxes and interest. The better utilization of teams and help. A higher grade of help can be secured where em- ployment can be given throughout the year. For shelter belts and wind breaks. To many farmers the protection afi'orded by the woodlot to cattle in winter from cold winds and in summer from the hot sun, is of great advantage. Protection of water supply and to prevent ero- sion of the soil. A wooded slope is often the cause of a running spring and will keep the soil from being washed.away by rain. As a reserve fund on which the farmer can call at any time for financial aid. As game and bird preserves. The cause of the destruction of crops by insects is due in large measure to the killing of birds. To temper the climate. Woodlots are cooler in summer and warmer in winter than the air out- side. They are also warmer at night and cooler in the day time. These differences in temperature have a tendency to set up local breezes which in a certain measure mitigate the extremes of tempera- ture. More rain falls in a wooded region than . one bare of trees. For their aesthetic value. Such a value is hard to measure but there is no question but that a pleas- ing countryside will greatly enhance the value of farm property. Good roads, well tilled fields, and thrifty woodlots make the countryside beauti- ful. A farm should be made attractive and pleas- ant so that any one would be glad to live on it. The woodlot is not only of importance to the farm but it is also of importance to the country at large and to the State. According to the United States Department of Agriculture there are over 200,000,000 acres in farm woodlots in the country. This is an area larger than all of the National and State forests. It is an area larger than Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin and Maine. If only moder- ately covered with timber, about 3000 board feet to the acre, the annual growth alone on this im- mense area would amount to more than the total annual cut for the country, which is about 40 bil- lion board feet. In other words the farm woodlots of the country under forest management could supply the country for all time with lumber. It is I not probable that they will ever do this however. ! A large percentage of the farm woodlots lie in the i South, where eventually, as the region becomes I more thickly settled, many of the woodlots will be converted into farms. But however much the total area of woodlots may be reduced, the annual production of wood on them will always be large and will be a factor in the price of timber. I do not know the area of the farm woodlots in the State of Pennsylvania. It has been variously estimated, and in the aggregate it must be very large. At the present time they contain about the only available supply of timber, or at least the* only visible supply. One must search long to find timber on our mountain sides. Most of the great mills that formerly cut millions of board feet every year are idle. Those that remain are being sup- plied with timber which comes from the head waters of the streams. The portable saw mill is busy in the farm woodlot. Because the farm woodlots do contain large amounts of timber, which form the chief local supply of wood, their care and management is of importance. They should be handled not only so as to serve the pur- poses of the owner but also so that they will help to supply the people of the State with a continu- ous supply of timber. The problem of the farm woodlot naturally di- vides into two parts, the financial side and the silvicultural side. A few weeks ago I had a talk with a forester who is located in the central part of the State. He told me that he was employed by a certain man to estimate the quantity of timber in his woodlot and to place a value thereon. Sometime %' \ 182 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 183 X" later a portable sawmill man met him and said, **What do you mean by trying to destroy our business in this locality?". The young forester asked him what he meant. The portable sawmill man said ' *We portable sawmill men have worked up a business in this locality of buying woodlots and cutting them and marketing the products. We have been working on a basis for the purchase of farm woodlots from farmers, which we believe to . be fair and just. Now you come in here and esti- mate a woodlot and tell the owner just what his woodlot contains and what its value at the present | stumpage price amounts to. Now he asks nearly double the amount of money for his woodlot that we had decided to give him. Furthermore, the knowledge of this transaction will travel among the farmers of the region and as a result we shall have to pay a very much higher price for woodlots than we have done in the past. Why don't you give up this estimating of woodlots for farmers and come in with us? There is more money in buying woodlots and marketing the products than in estimating timber for others." The young man replied that he was a professional forester and trained for his work, and that he believed as the years went on, if he was honest and truthful in his estimates, there would be no question as to his securing employment in his particular Ime in the future, and that he would continue to serve the people if they wanted his services. This same young man told me of a large w^ood- lot for which the owner had been offered $8,000 for the timber. He estimated the tract carefully | and found that the value, according to the present ! price of stumpage. was $20,000. These instances will illustrate what I mean by the financial side of the woodlot problem, or the sale of timber and the products from the woodlot. The ordinary method for the sale of the timber in the woodlot is for a portable sawmill man to go through the woodlot, usually without the knowl- edge of the woodlot owner, and to make a careful estimate. He knows the different products and the amounts of each that can be cut. He figures carefully just how much the products can be sold for and then determines what he can offer the woodlot owner for the tract. These men figure on at least a twenty-five per cent leeway. They make a price to the woodlot owner in a lump sum for the timber. The price may look large to the woodlot owner and is accepted. There is usually no competitive bidding. The sawmill man makes his own bargain. Most farmers have no conception of the amount or the value of the timber in their woodlots. How to give them such a knowledge is one of the im- portant questions of the woodlot problem. It will not be possible to make timber estimators of all these men. The methods of estimating timber are simple in theory but in practice they are more or less difficult to carry out. There is only one just method of selling timber from the farm woodlot and that is to have the pur- chaser pay for the material as it leaves the wood- lot or as it is received at the sawmill or market so much per board-foot or so much per piece. By this method the owner will obtain the true value of his products. But this cannot always be done. Such an example as I have called your attention to, has great instructional value in a community. There are no secrets among farmers. What one man knows usually they all know . If one man has his woodlot estimated, the others are sure to know of the estimate and to judge the amount of timber in their own woodlots accordingly. It goes to show how much could be accomplished if it were possible here and there in different parts of the State where there are many woodlots, to estimate woodlots as samples for the guidance of other farmers. There are several agencies in the State who are prepared to undertake such work. The State Foresters located in many parts of the State i could give no better service to the farmers in their I locality than to estimate for them their farm wood- lots. Being in the employ of the State these for- esters would naturally receive no compensation for their work. The State Agricultural College sends the foresters in its employ here and there as their services are desired for this and other forestry purposes free of charge. There are a large num- ber of practical and retired lumbermen in the State who are able to estimate with considerable accuracv, because of their past experience, the amount' of timber in a farm woodlot. Such men might be induced for a small sum to undertake to estimate roughly the woodlots in their region. Many farmers would employ such men if they knew they were reliable and could secure their services. The payment of $10 for such informa- tion would more than be met by the increase in the price received for their timber. Not only is the sale of the timber itself from the woodlot an important question to the farmers but also the sale of the products of the woodlot. To most farmers the market that is available to them for the products of their woodlots is a local one. They have not the time or the knowledge of how to secure other markets. They must cut their timber and manufacture it according to the de- mands which exist in their locality. They know little in regard to the difference in value between the different logs cut from the same tree. Those who buy the products of the woodlot, however, have such information and are often able to make large profit on timber which is purchased for a small sum. It would not be difficult to place such information in the hands of the farmers. The State Forestry Department and the Forest School at The Pennsylvania State College could collect and distribute such information. Such an effort is worthy of Conservation Associations such as the one in Berks County. The county agents or ex- tension representatives who are sent out from the State Agricultural College could be of great value in the collection and distribution of data in regard to the value of woodlot products and the markets which are available. Newspapers could be made use of for this purpose. There was issued some time ago by the State Forestry Department a bulle- tin on the Wood Using Industries of the State, a similar pamphlet could be issued for each of the woodlot counties of the State, in which could be listed the wood using industries of the county and those within striking distance. It could list also the material that is in demand by such industries and the price paid therefor. Such information placed in the hands of farmers would be of great value to them. It is time that the farmers of the State began to realize from their timber a just compensation. To most farmers at the present i time, the financial side is the important side of the woodlot problem. The silvicultural side of the farm woodlot prob- lem must also be considered. By the silvicultural i side is meant the growing of the greatest amount of valuable wood products in the shortest time possible. Too often woodlot owners leave to nature the growing of the trees in the woodlot. As a result they are producing only a fraction of the amount of wood that they should. **A cord per acre per annum," is a common measure of the annual growth of woodlots yet it is rarely that a woodlot produces that amount. Most of them grow less than half a cord per acre every year. Under forest management in older countries timber often grows at the rate of two cords per acre. The raising of the annual growth is the chief silvi- cultural problem of the farm woodlot. It is not from a lack of desire on the part of the owner to have a thrifty woodlot that he does not spend more time or thought on its management. In 1 914 the State Agricultural College issued a correspondence course on the establishment and care of the farm woodlot. There has been no correspondence course issued that has been more popular. This shows a desire on the part of the farmers of the State for knowledge of how to treat their woodlots. I once saw a woodlot that had been started by a farmer on a hillside. He had gone into the forest in the early spring and dug up here and there small woody growth that he sup- posed to be trees, and these he had planted in the open to start a woodlot. I saw this woodlot several months after it had been planted and none of the trees had lived, being taken from the shade and planted in the open they were not able to withstand the change of conditions. Much of the woody growth which he had transplanted was also nothing but bushes and shrubs. But it showed a desire on the part of that farmer to reforest a por- tion of the farm which was lying idle and from which he was getting no revenue. Such efforts are worth directing. I believe there is a desire on the part of the farmers of the State to practice forestry on their woodlots. It is time that infor- mation was placed in their hands in regard to the planting of waste areas on the farms, the restock- ing of worn out woodlots, the kind of trees best adapted to their purpose, the care and tending of growing woodlots and their proper protection from fire, insects, and disease. Many have thought that with the establishment of the State Forests the work of forestry had been accomplished. The establishment of the State Forests was nothing more than a beginning. They serve as examples for the management of other forest land. It takes care of but one of the forest problems in the State. The solving of the other problems— The woodlot problem and that of the millions of acres of forest land outside of the State forests— needs the help and co-operation of all friends of forestry. J. A. Ferguson. The fourteenth annual meeting (f the Pocono Protective Fire Association, of Monroe county, was held in Stroudsburg on Thursday, November i6th. The report of the Treasurer showed a substan- tial balance amounting to $1,276.69. This was due in some degree to the co-operative agreement that exists between the Department of Forestry and the Association, under the Act of June 4, i9^5» ^y which the State agrees to return to the Association one half of the amount paid out by the Association for protective purposes. The resources of the As- sociation are materially increased in this manner. The roll of members contains 244 names ; 56 new members were taken in during the year. The forest fires in Monroe county, both Spring and Fall, burned over 582 acres; a marked con- trast to the year 191 5 when more than 12,000 acres were fire-swept in April alone. Seven patrol- men and 27 fire wardens consisting the fire protec- tive force. , . u f The various activities enumerated in the report of the Secretary showed that the Association is progressive and prospering. W. R. r. \a 184 FOREST LEAVES. American Trees In Germany. THE composition of forests is continually changing. The rate of change may be slow or rapid depending upon the nature and power of the disturbing factors. Unquestion- ably man plays the leading part in this changing. His attitude towards the forest determines in a very , large measure whether the trend of the change is j constructive or destructive. For more than a | century the forests of continental Europe, particu- , larly Germany, have been improving through a building-up process, which embraced not only a critical selection and a careful management of the native trees but also the introduction of a large number of foreign species, particularly from North America and Japan. r k • The illustrations of this issue show a few Ameri- can trees in the forests of Germany. One of the chief factors which actuated the introduction of American trees was the fear of a fuel famine. To this one may be added aesthetic inclinations, com- mercial enterprise, silvicultural experimentation, and the small number of native species, all of which helped to bring about the introduction of the large number of foreign trees now covering extensive areas in all parts of the German Em- pite. The first American tree brought into Germany j was the eastern Arbor Vitae. It was introduced in 1566. This was followed by the Common Lo- ■ cust in 1 60 1, the Bald Cypress in 1640, the Tulip Tree or Yellow Poplar in 1663, the Red Cedar in 1664, the Balsam Fir in 1697, the White and ; Black Spruce in 1 700, and the White Pine in 1 705 . , Since then the introduction has never ceased, and to-day practically every tree native to North America can be found somewhere in Germany. Some of the introduced trees have made such com- mendable records that they are now regarded as naturalized members of the German forests. The three trees which stand paramount among all the tree immigrants of Germany are the Red Oak, White Pine and Douglas Fir. The Red Oak was introduced into Europe in 1740 and has now the widest distribution in Ger- many of any American hardwood. In the state of Baden more than 450 acres are stocked with this tree, ranging in age from one to ninety years. The German foresters commend it very highly on account of its rapid growth, good wood, and re- sistance to disease. Growth data collected by a German forester shows that the tree may attain a height of 8 inches in one year, 18 feet in ten years, 36 feet in twenty years, and 54 feet in fifty years. The White Pine was introduced into England in 1705 and shortly thereafter into Germany. It is at present the best known and most widely dis- tributed of all the introduced trees. In some regions it is so common, and ranges in age from small seedlings to veterans over one hundred years, that the inhabitants regard it as a native tree. As early as 1794 a Hessian hunting master— the for- ester of that day— brought a quantity of White Pine seed from America and planted it near Tripp - stadt in Rhenish Bavaria. These trees are still standing and in a thrifty condition. They have passed the century mark and among them are specimens ranging in breast-high diameter from 25 to 35 inches. These trees have produced a large quantity of seed which was collected and prepared for planting in forest nurseries. Many of the young White Pine stands which are grow- ing in Germany to-day, developed from seed col- lected from these ** mother trees " at Trippstadt. 1 In the municipal forest of Heidelberg more than 150,000 White Pine trees are growing, rang- ing in age from two to sixty-five years and cover- ing over 140 acres. Many experimental plots have been established and are being maintained in these stands. A careful study of these plots by American foresters and forest owners would fur- nish them with valuable and accurate information which would tend to rectify and even avoid many of the mistakes now being made in planting this valuable forest tree, And what is probably most important, such a study would provide one with an accurate estimate of the possibilities of plant- ing. An abridged example may be used to show the growth of White Pine trees on an experimental plot established in 1888 in the municipal forest of Heidelberg, using 2,750 two-year-old seedlings per acre. In 1908, the trees, having reached an age of twenty-two years, had an average height of 26.5 feet, and a volume of 53 cords per acre. This showed an average annual increment of 2.4 cords per acre. The average annual increment between 1903 and 1908 was 3.8 cords per acre. A thorough study of the European experimental i plots of White Pine would furnish data of inesti- mable value and help in projecting a rational course of procedure for the development of this species in America, We should not be guilty of duplicating the mistakes of our neighbors simply because of our unmindfulness or through our re- refusal to profit by their experiences. I The Douglas Fir was not introduced into Europe until 1827, that is, more than a hundred years I after the White Pine. While most of the trees i native to western North America may be found in ' Germany, they are still relatively young because of their late introduction. The Sitka Spruce was introduced in 1831 and the California Big Tree Forest Leaves, Vol. xv., No. 12. Forest Leaves, Vol. xv.. No. 12 GIANT ARBOR VIT/E AND INCENSE CEDAR. . , . ^ GIANI A«Dv^ ,u America They have been planted extensively m FAirope, These two trees are native to western N-h,^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^ J,^ EUROPEAN LARCH AND WHITE PINE. Plantation is 20 vears old and surrounded bv a fence to protect the trees from deer. The European larch surpasses the white pine in heijjht growth. .«-"! ^^^ ^ * :*-fr: '^i .;.;;' --i*^ ,;^ f^^ •> 6V:^v ;>^Sa#5v ^*^^\* U •v^- *..^,--?i^irx' •^ 4 x-* m^H f^k:- V "^"t. CALIFORNIA BIG TREE AND EUROPEAN FIR. forest belonging to the O.unt von IVrkliein. Weinhe.m, (.ermany. FoRKST Leavks, Vol. xv.. No. 12. EUROPEAN LARCH AND WHITE PINE. Plantation is 20 vears old and surrounded hv a fence to protect the trees from deer. surpasses the white pine in heitjht [rrowtli. The Kuropean larch DOUGLAS FIR AND WHITE PINE. ago. The FOREST LEAVES. 185 r./ did not make its appearance until 1853, having been discovered in California only three years prior. In the short period that the Douglas Fir has been given forestal consideration it has shown itself to be the most desirable of all the introduced trees, not even excluding the White Pine. In Prussia alone over 350 acres had been stocked with this tree prior to 191 1. It may be found in pure stands or mixed with such species as Norway Spruce, White Pine, and European Larch. In almost every case the Douglas Fir surpasses the other species in height growth as is shown by the accompaning illustrations. German growth studies show that it may reach a height of 4 inches in one year, 8 inches in two years, 46 feet in fifteen years, 56 feet in eighteen years, and 83 feet in fifty-three years. An experimental plot was established in a stand of Douglas Fir and Norway Spruce in the muni- cipal forest of Heidelberg in 1887. The plot was established by planting 3-year-old Douglas Fir and 2-year-old Norway Spruce four feet apart, and at a planting cost of $456 per acre. In 1903 the plot contained 34 cords of Douglas Fir and 7 cords of Norway Spruce. In 1908 this same plot contained 43 cords of Douglas Fir and 6^ cords of Norway Spruce, clearly showing which species dominated the situation, and which was on a downward path. The average height of the Dou- glas Fir and Norway Spruce in 1908 was 45 and 32 feet respectively. Douglas Fir, just as other trees, has its enemies. Deer feed upon it rather freely, and in some localities it suffers severely from snow-break and frost. It, however, recovers very readily from damage on account of the numerous lateral and adventitious buds located along the twigs, which are ever ready to develop into a terminal shoot as soon as their leader succumbs to the attack of some destructive agent. J. S. Iluck. Hon. S. B. Elliott has prepared an interest- ing booklet on '* The Present and Future of Penn- sylvania's Forests," which has been published by The Pennsylvania Conservation Association. It is an admirable summary of the past and present condition of forestry in Pennsylvania, together with suggestions for their restoration and perpetua- tion. The absolute necessity of forest products is set forth, also the urgent need of scientifically planting the denuded lands so as to receive the maximum return. The suggestion is made that the State might finance this by the issue of long time bonds to be met from the sale of forest pro- ducts. Problems of the Pennsylvania Department of Forestry and the Use of Data to be Derived Therefrom. (Presented at the Reading Meeting of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association.) IN America, Forestry is one of the youngest sciences. As an art and a profession, its practice in our country dates back but a de- cade or two. Considering the vast field it must cover, there are necessarily many problems to be solved. These, to a great extent, can be mas- tered only by investigation and experimentation. The experiences and the results obtained by for- esters in Germany and other lands during the past, will not always serve as guides to our efforts. New species, different conditions of forest and market, together with many other economic fac- tors, make it imperative that America, while look- ing abroad to trans-atlantic lands, for silvicultural ideals, must yet work out her own solution for numerous specific problems. The Pennsylvania Department of Forestry and its employees have not been remiss in this connec- tion. They have carried on investigative work along many and widely different lines. Ways and means are now needed to get the maximum of value out of our eff'orts. To get results in many forestry experiments requires years, even centuries in some cases ; hence the absolute necessity of having data and reports on all such experiments recorded and filed in a careful and systematic manner. This can only be attained by having an administrative head to direct and standarize the activities of the men in the field. Only in this way, can the results that may be obtained be made comparable and of actual value. More than a hundred years of scientific forestry| in Germany have failed to settle such vital questions as '* Pure vs. mixed planting of species in planta- tions," * 'Artificial vs. natural regeneration", etc. Foresters in that country continue to argue, and probably always will contradict each other on these and similar problems ; chiefly because they attempt to compare results obtained under radically different conditions of site and treatment. Wise men profit by the experiences of others. i It is to be hoped that the management of our forests in the future will not be based on any false premises or conclusions. Mistakes are always costly, but seldom more so than in the handling of woodlands. The Committee on Investigation and Kecoras, therefore, unanimously recommended the establish- ment of a Bureau in the Department of Forestry to take charge of and conduct the experimental forestry work, which the State is doing. Ihe field to be covered by such a bureau would neces- t ^ ^ 4 3^i 186 FOREST LEAVES. sarily somewhat overlap the ground occupied by the Bureaus of Silviculture, Protection, and Pubhc- ity but there is work for all. Competition stim- ulates activity and growth. It makes for progress; and there could be effective co-operation along many lines. In the Federal Forest Service the several bureaus over-lay and interdigitate some- what, yet they all work together, harmomously and effectively. r r i r^^ That there is a large sphere of usefulness for such a bureau cannot be denied. In fact Frod- /ems seem to constitute the major part of Penn- sylvania Forestry. Of course, Fire is the supreme difficulty in the way of successful management ot woodlands. But there are a multitude of ques- tions of lesser importance confronting foresters everywhere. All of these sooner or later demand solution. It is but natural, however, that since some lines of research and experiment are more pressing in their call for soUition, or may appear easier or more promising than others ; hence, so long as each forester follows the dictates of his own sweet will, there will certainly be an unnecessary duplication of effort along some lines, while other j lines will not receive the attention they merit. ! In both Pennsylvania and Federal forestry. Di- rect Seeding has had more than its due share of attention. Nearly every State Forest has been the scene of some direct seed-sowing— usually on a small scale, however. The results of this work, as far as can be judged at present, point in many instances to practical failure; or at best, only nom- inal success. On the National Forests extensive areas were sowed with seed; in some cases at great expense. Thousands of bushels of pine seed were j used in this way. But lack of commensurate re- sults has caused the Federal Service practically to abandon this method of reforestation, and to rely more and more upon nursery grown seedlings. I Such costly failures as this are surely to be deplored, and show a sad lack of systematic and efficient management. A private or corporate concern conducting its business in such hap-hazard fashion would soon be at the mercy of its competitors. The Pennsylvania Department of Forestry has been conservative. No expenditures of moment have been made upon unproved theories. Yet it is certainly necessary that experimental work should be done. The extent of this work is a matter for discussion. Many experiments conduc- ted heretofore have possibly been on a rather too extensive scale. For example :— On the Hull State Forest in 1913, a plantation of 10,000 silver pine (Ftnus monticola^ was made. The area treated was homogeneous with regard to soil and ecological factors. Now if a single thousand of those seedlings has been set there, the expense would have been greatly reduced, while the re- sults obtained would still have had about the same practical value from an experimental standpoint. This case is just one of many in which such a bureau as the one recommended by the committee , could save money for the Department, and at the same time get more valuable results from the work attempted. Hence it would be the first duty of the proposed bureau to take up the matter of Foresti y Experi ments and Investigations with each forester. Every man is endowed with certain talents, and each locality is peculiarly adapted to doing certain work. So it would be possible, after some study, to assign the several subjects demanding attentiori, to the man and the localities best suited for their investigation and solution. The problems confronting the Pennsylvania forester are numerous and variant, but more or less inter-related. They may be classed roughly as Nursery, Protection, Regeneration, Social, and Administrative problems. Each type or class will require a somewhat different method of investig- ation, in general or with respect to details. ! AH the men who carry on an experiment or an I investigation along any line should be required to follow definite and carefully studied plans of pro- cedure, so that results, when obtained, will possess a maximum value. Methods for carrying on the work ought to be prescribed by the administra- tive head, after fully consulting the men who are to do it. Uniformity can be secured only in this way, and data submitted by two or more men as- signed on similar work will be nearly or quite comparable. Also, it would probably often be possible to compile and correlate apparently con- ' tradictory data, in such manner that the final con- clusions would have considerable value, or at least form a sound basis for further research. I The Bureau would also be constantly in touch with each project under investigation. By means of periodic reports from the men assigned, inform- ation regarding the status of any problem could at any time be made available to other foresters or the interested public. A uniform method of collecting and recording data should also be in force. One of the greatest steps recently made by the Pennsylvania State for- estry Department has been the introduction of the plantation and nursery reports required by the Bureau of Silviculture. Such systematic methods as these should be in vogue with respect to much of the experimental work. In this way the task of compiling and filing the data would be greatly lightened and also simplified. The Bureau recommended would find a fertile field for effort merely in studying, classifying and compiling the data submitted from time to time by the men in the service, on the experiments and FOREST LEAVES. 187 sample plots already established. From figures gathered by the Bureau of Silviculture from the Foresters' 1 9 1 5 annual reports, it is found that the Department received during the year reports on 93 experimental and sample plot projects. These were scattered among practically all the State For- ests and covered a total area of 183 acres. About 40 of these were new projects. Of course, other experiments of which there are no reports for 191 5 have been made from time to time by the foresters in the field. A number of such have been made at the State Forest Acad- emy. Then, too, there have been numerous ex- perimental plantations made, many of which were not considered as such by their makers. Taking the definition of a plantation as **any contiguous area planted in a single year, " it is found that the whole number of plantations made on the State Forests since 1906 has been as follows : 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 21 26 67 115 1912 19^3 1914 1915 132 112 126 126 or a total of 816 ; nearly or quite all of the plant- ations made prior to 191 1 may be classed as essen- tially experimental in nature. Since 191 1 many of the plantations have been experimental too. So it is conservative to estimate that there are at least 400 plantings of this nature, and probably many more. The Bureau of Silviculture is engaged in active constructive work and its field would be encroach- ed on very little, if a new Bureau of Investiga- tions and Records were to assume the task of keeping track of these experimental plantings, to- gether with the sample plots and nursery experi- ments. When data or results have been carefully compiled and written up, if they possess sufficient technical or general interest, then this material could be turned over to the Bureau of Publicity for publication; so that valuable conclusions and recommendations resulting from experiments or research might be made available to the public, instead of lying forgotten in Department files. A good bibliography covering the various prob- lems met by the men in the field would often be of untold value. Many costly errors are probably made because we do not see an undertaking from every angle before attempting its execution. The recent work of the Department along this line with respect to the search for White Pine Blister Rust is most commendable, and if followed out with reference to other important and timely subjects, would greatly add to the efficiency of every man in the service. The Forest Academy would necessarily till a large place in any comprehensive plan covering the investigation of Pennsylvania's forestry prob- lems. This institution is ideally located and equipped to serve as a Forestry Experiment Sta- tion. It should be a centre for research work; es- pecially along technical lines, particularly Den- drology, Nursery-work, Forest Pathology, En- tomology, etc. At present it is more difficult to get data on work done in and around the Forest Academy than from any other source. This state of affairs is due chiefly to the fact that the in- structors there are so burdened with routine duties that they have but little time to devote to the gathering and compiling of data on the many in- teresting forestry experiments already started in that vicinity. The proposed bureau could devise some plan for utilizing to best advantage the wealth of forestry knowledge the school and its surrounding forest can produce. The committee submitted model outlines, cover- ing three subjects for investigation. Such outlines as these should be given each forester who proposes to do any experimental or investigative work, then results could be compared with certainty and eff*ect. The subjects outlined for investigation are given below, with a few reasons why they require re- search. Each one is alive with interest to every forester, and when definite conclusions are obtain- ed, will be of great value to the public by enab- ling our citizens to grow trees upon barren wastes where now nothing but bramble and brush greet the eye. I. An Investigation of Rock Oak {Qucrcus prinus). This would be of most value and interest to the residents of the south-eastern and central parts of the State; particularly where chestnut blight has ravaged the forest. A species must be found to take the place of this valued tree and Rock Oak promises to do this to a certain extent. Although naturally confined to poorest soils, on dry rocky ridges and slopes, it grows well on fertile soil. It is thought that under similar site conditions Rock Oak will rival Chestnut and Red Oak in growth. 2. The Social Relation of the Forester to His Community. A question like this is of general interest in every locality where the State may have a forester located. It would be of special value to all for- esters, and invaluable to the new men going into the field. 3. Plantations under Weed-growth on the Northern Plateau. This problem appeals to the forester who plants under Fire-Cherry, Birch, Golden-rod, and Briers in the northern part of the State. It is the im- mediate silvicultural problem in that region. George S. Perry. ?2' r^ C •;; 188 FOREST LEAVES. Game and Wild Bird Protection ; What it Means to the People. (Presented at the Reading Meeting of the Pennsylvania Forestry ^ Association.) WHILE coming before you to represent the Board of Game Commissioners of Pennsylvania, and the organization of sportsmen known as the Pennsylvania State Sports- rnen's Association, I still represent but one interest, the same interest you represent— The Conserva- tion of Public Resources. While representing officially but one of the several organizations of sportsmen in this State, I express the sentiment of all sportsmen in saying we are as organizations and as individuals, deeply interested in the work of preserving for the benefit of those who follow us through coming generations, the things that have helped to make this life worth living and pleasant to us : the forest, the stream, with all they mean ; the birds, game and other things, each in their place, supplying an incentive to recrea- tion and effort, or doing a work that would not and could not have been done without them. 1 his is up to us to make it a big State in every sense of the word, if not the very biggest State in this Union, and to do this we must stand together each Department and each Commission and each individual doing well the work allotted to them, and in addition helping the others when and where they can. This last sentence I desire to empha- size with all the force at my command, and to do this we must as far as possible understand what the other is trying to do and what he needs most. The Pennsylvania State Sportsmen s Associa- tion is a body of men banded together to assist as far as possible in " the preservation of our forests ; the protection and propagation of song and insec- tivorous birds, game birds, game mammals and game fish ; for aiding in the enforcement of the laws of the Commonwealth governing the same ; for the promotion of kindly intercourse and gener- ous emulation among sportsmen ; to unite the efforts and influence of all law abiding citizens within the State in securing such legislation tor the future preservation of our forests, our song, insectivorous and game birds, game mammals and game fish, as will be best suited to the interests of and could not have been done vviinont mem. ■ n» game .... , - -■■""-- "..u „ ,,,„." prin- . indeed , .T.nse old wor.d and J bn,, one .00 . ^^^^^^[^I'S'^^^f^lf^^ *e S.a.e and SO busy, indeed, that but few of us, commonly called ** The People," have time to get acquamted > with our next-door neighbor or to understand all that is being done in the public interest, even in j our home town; and perhaps this is well, other- wise some might not find time to attend to the work we best understand and are best fitted to do, regarding private interests, and to work well we must understand at least what we are trying to do. I fear but few of us are possessed with understand- ing sufficient to enable us to do all things well. I therefore, consider it a display of good judg- ment upon the part of the State, when it divides its interests and says to its representatives, ** You make a special study of our needs in this direc- tion," and to another, ^*You give attention to that interest," each one in his place working to improve conditions within the State, and as a con- sequence making it bigger and stronger in its i influence in the world outside. We are met here today to counsel together regarding State in- terests, to learn all possible of the needs of the other, and what the other is doing for the good of the State. There is no one occupying a posi- tion so important that he should not stop his own work once in a while to help his fellow-men ; neither is there any one filling a position so lowly that his help is not needed. I consider fortunate the community that has just a few citizens of this disposition, and blessed indeed is that conimunity where many of its people are joined in this effort. Pennsylvania is in the hands of its people, and it doles in every way fitted to beneht the State and that might well be endorsed by every man, woman and child in this Commonwealth, it is not neces- sary for you to become a hunter, or a trap shooter or a fisherman, before joining this body, that is simply an organization of representative citizens of the State without a thought of commercialism, banded together to save our forests and our streams, our birds and our game animals, because of what our forests mean, because of the recreation and experience secured through the hunting ot game animals, and their value as a food supply, Ld our wild birds classed as game for the same reason, and in addition, the value of their life- work and those wild birds not classed as game, because of the recognized value of their life work to men. - , Yet, to many of our people the work of the Game Commission and of sportsmen is not well understood. In the minds of many, the sports- man is a destroyer pure and simple, and not a conservator, while the Game Commission is a body of men whose sole purpose is to create some- thing for hunters to kill. Many do not seem to understand that the Game Commission and its representatives— Game Protectors— are working as hard to save the life of a blue bird, a robin or a wren, because of the value of its life-work, as to save the life of a ruffed grouse or a wild turkey, because of this same value of its life-work, and in addition, the value that comes through hunting, a knowledge of wood craft, and an experience in FOREST LEAVES. 189 the manipulation of guns, the ability to shoot straight, a knowledge of camping, of going and coming by day or by night through the forests or over the waters, that fits men to do things in time of need, that is impossible without this training ; the better understanding, secured through hunt- ing, of the topography of our State, of its hills, its 'valleys, streams, mineral wealth, flora, fauna and of its people, that can to the same extent be secured in no other way. Some of us do not under- stand the value that comes to a tired over-worked indoor man through a day afield with gun or dog, or with camera, for many sportsmen are not killers. Many of our people do not fully realize that better health means better citizenship, and that the pres- ence of game and wild creatures in the woods or fields is the incentive that frequently takes the ailing man into the open and God's sunshine, securing there a return to health without the aid of physicians, sick rooms, hospitals, nurses or drugs. . c c a The value, too, of game as an item of food sup- . ply is of no small import, and for this reason | alone it is the duty of the State to maintain and , to increase wherever possible, its game. I The value of the life-work of birds is not thor- j oughly understood. To many, birds are just birds I and nothing more. But few of our people seem to understand that each family of birds, frequently each species of birds, is doing in its own peculiar way a work that is done to the same extent by no other family or species ; some on the ground, some on the trunks of the trees, some among the branches, some in the air, some on the water ; some feeding almost exclusively upon insects found upon trees of one variety, as for instance, the Scarlet Tanager makes a specialty of feeding on insects found upon the oaks and hickories, ot which insects, I understand, there are between three and four hundred species, each bird in its place doing a work that may mean life or death to you, that surely means prosperity or want to the State or Nation. . Those who have studied this question carefully, tell us there are more than a million species of m- sects in this world ; that the number of insect species exceeds by far those of all other living things combined, and that the name of each is le- cion Those who have investigated the power of insects to multiply and to destroy vegetation, give statements that are simply appalling. Professor Forbush, Ornithologist of the State Board of Agriculture of Massachusetts, m a work recently published, in speaking of the power of insects to destroy, says : ** Some caterpillars consume daily tvMce their weight in leaves. This is, as if an ox were to consume every twenty-four hours three-fourths of a ton of grass. ' ' He says, ** Certain flesh-eating larvae consume daily two hundred (200) times their original weight. A parallel with this in the human family would be an infant eating upon the first day of its existence fifteen hundred (1,500) potmds of food." He tells us that ** Certain caterpillars increase in size 10,000 times on their course to maturity during about thirty (30) days. To equal this phenomenal growth a man at maturity would weigh forty (40) tons." Regarding the number of insects Prof. Forbush says: ^' Dr. Lintner, late State Ethnologist of New York, saw aphids upon a small cherry tree, which was in a row of trees in an orchard contain - i ing many rows. He counted the lice on certain of I the leaves of this tree, counted the leaves on cer- ! tain branches, and the number of the branches on the tree, and estimated that there were at least twelve million plant lice on that one tree, and to give an idea of what that meant, said that to count this number, a man speaking as rapidly as possible, and putting in ten hours a day, would require eleven months to complete the enumera- tion." Think of the number of aphids in that orchard. t^ r i^ u u Regarding the increase of insects. Prof, i'orbush says it is possible for a single female potato bug to be the ancestor of sixty million (60,000,000) of its kind in one season, or five times the number of aphids found on the cherry tree before referred Prof. Forbush again quotes Dr. Lintner regard- ing the possible increase of the hop vine aphid, says: **Prof. Reily discovered thirteen genera- tions of this species in a single season, and there being no losses estimated, it was possible for one pair of these insects, starting with one hundred as the first generation, to be the ancestors of ten sextillion of their kind in the thirteenth genera- tion." This means 40,000 of these insects to every square foot of land that is above water in the world. Ten sextillion is apparently beyond the comprehension of ordinary men, and Prof, tor- bush uses time and distance to illustrate its vast meaning. He says: -If these insects were stretched in single file, ten to the inch, they would extend from the earth to the sun, a distance traveled by light in about eight minutes, and from there to the nearest fixed star, a distance traveled by light in six years, and from there on to the most distant star that is visible through the strongest telescope known to man, and from there still on- ward into unknown space, on and still on, to a ii r. % 'V 190 FOREST LEAVES. FOREST LEAVES. 30 191 point from which it would require hght 2,500 years to reach the earth." Counting at the rate of two per second continuously, day and night, it would take men and the children of men almost one hundred and sixty trillion of years to count ten sextillion. Remember, too, that this is but one species of the million species found upon this [ earth. , -i^ ^ 4. ' It is estimated by the Agriculture Department at Washington that through the ravages of insects • an annual loss to agriculture in the United States , is incurred, equalling, if not exceeding, ten per cent of the entire production. Prof. Forbush estimates the loss from this cause in Massachusetts at fifteen per cent. ! A loss of but ten per cent, means a loss of more than one billion dollars ($1,000,000,000) to the farmers of the United States last year, 19 15, and this loss is entirely outside of the cost of ma- chinery, poisons, labor, etc., expended in attempt- ing to'curb these pests. What does this mean to you? The Nation in 1908 produced 2,700,000,000 bushels of corn ; if you desired to load this crop into box cars, each containing nine hundred bushels, 3,060,000 cars would be needed, and at the rate j of one hundred and thirty cars to the mile, trains . covering more than 23,000 miles. If the lost ten ' per cent, were added, 3,300,000 cars would be required. A line of cars that would more than girdle the globe at the equator. Think of it, a belt of corn four feet thick and eight feet wide, extending entirely around the world. Consider, too, this loss of ten per cent, loaded in the same way, would cover a track of more than 2,500 miles in length. It is claimed that there are 600 colleges and universities in the United States, the value of which, including buildings and endowments, ex ceeds $469,000,000. The loss to agriculture in the United States through the ravages of insects in a single year would replace these buildings and their endowments were they destroyed, and leave unexpended a balance sufficient to create and endow in like amount 600 other colleges and universities. It is estimated that there are 30,000,000 school children in the United States, and the cost of edu- cating them is one of the heaviest demands made upon the reserve funds of this Nation. The loss to agriculture through the ravages of insects, if saved, would go a long way toward meeting this claim. Our Representatives at Washington are spend- ing much time in considering whether or not one battleship or two shall be built annually by the United States. A battleship costs about eight million dollars ($8,000,000). The loss to agri- culture because of insects in a single year would build a fleet of one hundred battleships, and then some. The greatest of all engineering feats in the his- tory of civilization, the Panama Canal, cost about four hundred and seventy-five million dollars (^475,000,000), and that we may fully under- stand the magnitude of this undertaking, let me say it has been estimated that the excavation made in this work means a ditch fifty-five feet wide and ten feet deep, extending from New York to San Francisco. The dirt excavated if piled in form equal to the Chinese wall would create an embank- ment 2,500 miles in length. The Chinese wall is about 1,500 miles long. The material excavated in this undertaking if placed in piles equal in every way to the pyramids of Egypt would create sixty (60) such pyramids, that if placed side by side would extend more than nine miles. The pyramids of Egypt are but three in number, and the work of their construction was for many years considered to be one of the wonders of the world. The loss to agriculture annually from the ravages of insects in the United States is more than double 1 the cost of the stupendous work done in creating this canal. j I might mention the loss incurred through the Chicago fire, the tidal wave of Galveston, the i earthquake at San Francisco, or the loss of the I Titanic— each of which occurrences in itself caused \ the great heart of the world to stand still in sym- ' pathetic fear, and brought into immediate action every energy of those in interest, to as quickly as possible remedy the harm done and prevent its re- occurrence. No one of these occurrences singly, or all of them joined together begins to measure either in the sacrifice of human lives or financially, with the possibilities of insect destruction, to be followed by famine and pestilence — yet, ordinary men take no interest whatever in this matter. Only a few years ago the farmers of this Nation, especially those residing in States along its north- ern boundary, were shocked and agitated as never before by the simple mention of possible harm that might come to them through a new political pro- position, known as ** Reciprocity." The yearly loss to agriculture actually incurred through the ravages of insects exceeds by far any possible loss that might come through ** Reciprocity ;" yet, because of the fear of what they considered might happen if this proposed regulation was endorsed, men abandoned the tenents of their fathers, and for the time being at least severed life-long friend- ships and political affiliations. Regarding posi- tive and undoubted loss, through the presence of insects, these same men, stand with folded hands and do nothing. In addition to living in a strange old world, we are indeed a strange people. But I have said enough to at least bring this sub- ject to your attention, and you are perhaps already wondering why it is, if what I have said be only partly true, that we can live upon this earth at all ; and the answer comes because of the elements, climatic changes, disease, starvation, poisons, and the living enemies of insects, including birds, each of which wields a mighty influence in pre- venting undue insect increase. They jointly bring the results we see, and the birds are a great factor in this direction. Those who have investigated the feeding habits of birds tell us that the majority of young birds while in the nest are fed upon insect life, and that each young bird in the nest consumes daily an amount of animal life in the shape of insects, equal to if not exceeding its own weight, so that if we had in Pennsylvania but one nest of robins to the acre, each nest containing four young birds, each weighing but one ounce, only four ounces to the acre, it will take 3,600 tons of insects to feed these birds for one day, because in this State there are 28,800,000 acres of land. I do not pretend to say that birds consume all insects destroyed, but do contend they are doing a work daily that entitles them to protection at the hands of men. It is asserted by those who have given the ques- tion consideration, that this world would not be | inhabitable by man in three or four years at the outside, if insect life were not curbed in some I way ; because vegetation would be stripped from the face of the earth. Just as a city is prosperous because of many men doing many things, so'the bird world means much or little according to the presence of a variety of birds, rather than the presence of a large number of any one species. Have you ever thought who was responsible for the presence of wild birds, game or otherwise, in this State today? I am sure many have not con- sidered this question at all, and will be surprised to have me state that every law upon the books giving protection to game or to wild birds in this State was put there by sportsmen or were sup- ported by them, the ones supposed by many to be destroyers and nothing else. I have had con- siderable experience along this line, and it is with the deepest feeling of regret and sorrow that I am compelled to say that up to this time, I have never known a church-man, the one from whom because of his professions, we expect the most, unless he was also a sportsman, to spend one minute of his time or one penny of his money to help enact laws for bird protection in Pennsylvania. I know of but few farmers, those who derive the most benefit from the life-work of birds, unless they were also sportsmen, to spend one minute of their time or one nickel of their money, to help place laws on the books giving protection to the birds, their best friends ; and I am not alone in this opinion. Dr. Wm. T. Hornaday, one of the great natu- ralists of the world, and Director of the New York Zoological Park, in writing upon this subject, among other things says, ** Show me one farmer or forester who goes out of his way and labors and spends money to protect and attract his feathered friends, and I will show you ninety-nine who never lift one finger or spend a penny a year in such effort." And again, ** If there was anything I could say that would penetrate the farmers' armor of indiff"erence, and sting him into activity on this subject, I would quickly insert the stinger, even at my own cost and loss." And again, ** Did you ever know a real sure-enough farmer to subscribe to a fund for game protection, or to spend time and money in attending legislative hearings in behalf of bird protection and increase? I never did. I mean the real farmers who depend upon their crops for their bread and butter." This same thing applies to many foresters in Pennsylvania. I attended some years ago a meeting of the League of American Sportsmen of Columbus, Ohio. Governor Herrick was at the banquet, and in his address said : **I have followed with great interest the daily meetings of this organiza- tion. You have delegates here from almost every State in the Union. From Maine to Florida on the east ; from Texas to far-away Alaska on the west. Your sole purpose in coming here seems to be to perpetuate and continue to coming gene- rations the benefits and pleasures of the animal and bird life you now enjoy. Not once during your three days' session has the subject of com- mercialism been mentioned. I never before knew what true sportsmanship meant, and I assure you I will be a sportsman from this day on." It is sad indeed to consider how many there are in all walks of life who will fail to understand the work being done by sportsmen, or the neces- sity for that work. I am writing more at length than expected, but want to touch upon one more subject for your information, and that is to say that these same sportsmen who in the past secured the enactment of laws protecting our birds are today paying through the Resident Hunter's Li- cense Law every cent used for the enforcement of those laws. They pay the expense of 'the Game Commission for game purchased and released in the State for the benefit of all the people ; for the kilhng of stray dogs, not only for the benefit of game, but also those who raise sheep or cattle or horses and poultry heretofore destroyed by such dogs ; they \ 192 FOREST LEAVES. ADVERTISEM ENTS. pay the salaries and expenses of Game Protector and for feed given game in the winter time ; for the creation and maintenance of Game Sanctua- ries ; for the fighting of forest fires by their offi- cers and even pay the bounty offered by law to the farmer who kills a weasel that may ^e destroy- ing his chickens and then buy the chicken that has thus been preserved. NOy tax-payer in this State through general taxation or in any manner except through the Resident ftunter's License contributes one farthing to the fu#spent for the protection of game or wild birds in P^^nfyl^^'^' and these men also stand ready to help the other Departments in the work they are doing Many sportsmen consider it a criminal tmste of the State s money to appropriate funds 7vherewith to purchase land and then refuse to make a sufficient appropria- tion to defend that land against fire or to protect it in any way needed. I hear expressions of this character from many directions, and know what I am talking about. And this same thought ap- nlies to the interests of every Department of our State Government. The State should protect public interests first. ,.1.1 The sportsmen of the State stand ready to help every Department of the State Government to do what is right and needed to be done, and under- standing well that they do not and can not know all things, are willing to accept the statements of those who are at the head of those Departments relative to their needs in these matters, and ask you to help us in the same spirit. We beg of you to help us to protect the birds because of what they mean to the trees, to vegetation, to you. Joseph Kalbfus, Secretary of Game Commission. New Publications. Farm Forestry. By Prof. John Arden Ferguson. 8vo 241 pages, illustrated, bound in cloth. Price, $1.25. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, N. Y. This book fills a long-felt want in forestry litera- ture and is the outgrowth of lectures on Farm Forestry delivered to students during several years. It will particularly appeal to students in agricul- tural colleges and high schools. A large amount of the timbered area in this and other States is found in the farm woodlots, and this book details the origin and uses of this too often neglected area. The principal parts of trees, and the life processes are well but briefly described. Chapters tell of the life history of trees in the woodlot, how to establish them, and the best trees to use, the best methods of caring for trees started by natural reproduction or planted. How the woodlot should be protected and managed, its products and methods of harvesting and marketing Rules are given for determining the contents of logs and trees and estimating the amount of timber and cordwood in standing trees. Ihe physical properties of various woods for different purposes are given : also a description of methods by which perishable woods may be made more durable. The appendix gives a list of practicum exercises that can be given in connection with a course in farm forestry. It is estimated that there were about 200,000,000 acres in farm woodlots in the United States in the year 1Q15, and if these were properly stocked and 4red for they would supply as much lumber as the country now needs— about 40,000,000,000 ft. B M. annually. Prof. Ferguson's book gives much information necessary for such a happy re- sult. Tree Wounds and Diseases. By A. D. Webster. 8vo 215 pages, illustrated, bound in cloth. Price, $2 so. J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, Pa. This volume treats of a subject on which but little has been written. It is also one on which much criticism has been made because of the work of inexperienced persons and imposters. Ihe book was written from a British viewpoint with the object of calling the attention of owners of trees to the fact that at a comparatively small out- lay of labor and expense, the life of old, historic or accidentally damaged specimens may be greatly extended. . Mr. Webster first makes a general statement in regard to damaged or decaying trees, and then gives specific descriptions of the treatment of hollow trunks ; methods of supporting heavy and diseased branches ; caring for injuries to bark on root or stem, also of pruning diseased trees. Chapters deal with the injurious influences from soil or atmosphere ; fungus growth on trees ; in- sect attacks and their remedies ; injuries from animals and birds ; fruit trees and their enemies ; ways of preventing disease ; a list of the more im- portant trees with the accidents and diseases to which they are liable ; also the various preserva- tives and materials used for repairing damages to trees. A book of this character is valuable to anyone who for artistic effect, historic interest or other reason, desires to prolong the life of diseased or injured trees. The book could be more useful to us if written from an American viewpoint : because of the dif- ference in tree species, accidents and diseases. The Pennsylvania State College FOUR YEAR COURSE IN FORESTRY. A thorough and practical undergraduate course in technical forestry — preparing men for all lines of professional and applied forestry. Special attention is paid to practical field work in surveying, mapping and forest measurements. One of the largest of the State Forest Reserves is within a short walk of the College. For information regarding entrance requirements, expenses, etc., address DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, STATE COLLEGE, PA. FOHE^T LE^VEp. THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE Pennsylvania Forestfy Association. The attention of the advertising public is called to the advantages we offer as a medium. 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