Proceedings [of the] fourth National Conservation Congress [at] Indianapolis, October 1-4, 1912

by United States. National Conservation Congress

Co-operative soil surveys were carried on during the year in the various States with complete success. Every State now sees the need of reliable study and mapping of its soils, to serve as a basis for farm management, taxation, and real estate. At a recent meeting of the National Tax Association, held in Des Moines, Iowa, the relation of land surveys and taxation was discussed with considerable detail. It was the conclusion that land value maps should be prepared by soil surveys to serve as a physical basis of taxation.

FOREST RESOURCES.

Though originally endowed with vast areas of forest on public domain, some having great value, our Federal Government was slow to develop effective measures for its protection, utilization and future growth. One generation stripped the forest from the agricultural lands of the central west; and their posterity turned the trick with interest in the west. No wonder many persons took advantage of such an occasion as was presented in the Rocky Mountain and Pacific regions to help themselves where the public treasury was free for the asking, not having been carefully surveyed and evaluated. The large timber owners are not alone to blame for this history, which in considerable part is not what it might have been. It is time, then, to close the chapter and to turn our attention to present day events in so far as they are related to forest conservation. Now the State foresters and Federal forces closely co-operate with the large lumber producers along several lines. The Weeks Law, recently enacted, furthers co-operative effort in the prevention of forest fires. One of the first States to take advantage of this law was Wisconsin. Then came applications from New Hampshire, Montana and most other forest States. New York appears to lead in perfecting State patrol. Most States in the Appalachian province have perfected their patrol systems. Oregon appears to lead in the Pacific region.

Colorado of the Rocky Mountain province is fighting the Forestry Commission, the Conservation Commission and Federal agencies, under the guise of State Rights. Here the National Government has large reserves and is meeting the expense of fire protection. Certain State men are diligently spreading the doctrine of State Rights, claiming that the Federal Government should cede its domain to the State. Such a sentiment is echoed, but not so forcefully, in a few other western States. The opponents of this doctrine claim that the States do not have the means to patrol the forest, and that the State Rights people are making the campaign for selfish reasons—to secure ownership of the forest.

During the year, many cities and States added to the area of their parks and forest reserves. The Maryland Legislature voted $50,000 for this purpose. The Appalachian bill passed the last Congress, providing funds for use in establishing reserves in the Appalachian province. A start in this development has been made at several places. It is reported, however, that land speculators are interfering with the project by securing options on land that is wanted for the reserves.

The work in general tree planting and forestation progressed about as usual. Promoters handle eucalyptus propositions in California with varying degrees of success. Many States, especially in the middle west, are planting catalpa for the production of posts. One of the largest problems in several States, as in Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin and Michigan, is that of utilizing the cut-over land. Some of this is suitable for farming, but much of it is classed as forest land. The problem then is one of reforestation, which cannot be done economically on most of the land because of high tax. The tax problem is closely related to and by many thought to be the controlling feature in the reforestation of land in private ownership. The Wisconsin and the Oregon Conservation Commissions are studying the problem. Louisiana has passed laws intended to promote timber planting on large holdings.

A few States published helpful literature on economic species of trees suitable for forestation, shade and decorative purposes. A little volume by the New Jersey Forest Commission, title “Planting and Care of Shade Trees,” is a model that other States may well follow.

Following in line with the recommendations of this Congress, and in harmony with the policies of state foresters and the Federal Bureau, considerable progress was made during the year in forest surveys and forest studies. Fully half of the States are doing this work under the direction of their geological surveys, forest bureaus, or Conservation Commissions. Maryland and Rhode Island have completed such surveys.

Several large lumber producers report improvements in the way of saving practically all of the timber. When one wants to cite an example of extreme waste in lumbering, he usually refers to the Pacific region, perhaps not realizing that the method of utilization may be determined by commercial limitations. Be that as it may, it is pleasing to know that some companies in the West, as for example, the Smith Lumber & Manufacturing Company, are installing by-product plants. The company above named is building a fiber plant to utilize the waste mill products by the sulphate process, and to extract the turpentine from the red fir.

VITAL RESOURCES.