1 ( 4 )
2 In the new territories of Arizena, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Joaho,
3 and Dakota, the forests are inconsideruble, and could scarcely provide the wauts of a popu-
4 lution even ‘as scant as that of Illinois.
5 Lastly, the territories of Vanconver’s Island and Alaska, which are rich in forests, export
6 almost all their timber to China and Japan.
7 Krom this sketch it will be seen that the United States, far from being a reserve from
8 which the old world can draw timber supplies, ure scarcely able to meet their own local con-
9 sumption, and are threatened at no distant period with a timber famine. This state of things
10 is now occupying the attention of « largo number of far-seeing Aierican agrioculturists, as
11 this dearth of timber is a serious obstacle to the cultivation of many fertile tracts of country.
12 The state of Nebraska, containing an area as large as Hngland, is completely cleared of all
13 timber. The result of this is, that the severe draughts of summer are obstacles to agri-
14 culture. Ilere timber is so scarce that planters are forced to live in holes made on sides of
15 hillocks, there being no posts or planks with which to build houses. -
16 In order to oncourage tree planting and stimulate individual enterprise the Govern-
17 ment of Nebraska has passed a law under which whoever plants an acre of land with forest
18 trees is exempt for five years from ull tax ona portion of his lands, valued nominally at
19 100 dollars.
20 The young plants are to be at a maximum distance of 12 feet apart; if they are
21 between 1 and 33 feet, the reduction of tax is only one-half.
22 A similar luw is urgently called for in Illinois, Utate, and Jowah; in this last state
23 only ¢t,th part of the land was under forest in 189
24 In ene one ond Massachusetts agricultural societies have taken the initiative to stimu-
25 late planting by the offer of premia and prizes to persons who plant trees.
26 At the same time that a timber famine threatens certain portions of the United States,
27 formidable meteorological disturbances, which always accompany disforesting, have made
28 their appearance. Continued droughts desolate the plains of Rahs and Nebraska, ani in
29 other places inundations unknown fifty years ugo devastate the valley of the Mississippi.
30 Official reports and correspondence on the subject of keeping open communications show
31 that the bridges have to ie ecoutinually enlarged to admit of the passage of the increased
32 floods, and that roads which formerly were made in the valleys in safe localities are now
33 actually inundated.
34 Such a state of things, resulting from immoderate use and abuse during some two
35 centuries of the supplies provided by Nature, is now exciting in the United States a real and
36 natural anxiety.
37 May this picture serve as an example to France and those who might be tempted to lay
38 hands on the forest property which our fathers have bequeathed to us, and enable them to
39 understand that forests are not only sources of revenue, but indispensible ausiliaries tu
40 progress of civilization.