The Gold Leaf

CAROLINA FORESTS.
WOODMAN, SPARE THAT TREE.
An Interesting Paper on the Subject of the Forests and Forest Lands of Eastern North Carolina-Some Startling Facts Presented by State Geologist Holmes.
[Charlotte Observer.]
The Observer has on its table advance sheets of the preface to a report on the present condition of the forests and forest lands of eastern North Carolina, now being published by the State Geological Survey. The body of the report has been prepared by Mr. W. W. Ashe, of the survey. It will be ready for distribution at an early date, and will be sent free to all persons who may apply for it. We learn that the report will give the result of investigations or the following matters: As to our existing forest resources; as to how these resources can be utilized to the greatest advantage without involving the destruction of the forests; as to how the waste lands of the State can be continuously restored with valuable trees, and our forest wealth be thus perpetuated, and as to what can be done to encourage the development in the State of enterprises which will manufacture into finished products a larger portion of our timber instead of shipping to other States our crude raw materials for manufacture there.
These are questions of great importance, and the coming volume must prove a most valuable one.
It is to be hoped that the report will excite a keen interest among our people in regard to preserving the young forests, while we are cutting down so extensively the maturer growths of timber. Geologist Holmes says in his preface:
The policy of the average citizen appears to be based upon the theory that our natural resources are inexhaustible, and that we should get all out of them we can to-day and let the future take care of itself. And so thoroughly grounded are these notions in our public and private policy that it is exceedingly difficult to secure the adoption of any plan which runs counter to them. But fortunately, in the matter of our forests, their preservation for use by a future generation need not prohibit the utilization of the valuable timber now standing by the present generation. It only demands that while we cut and make use of this timber we protect the young growth, and look to the re-stocking of our waste lands with valuable trees, and thus make the forest valuable for future generations also.
We quote again:
As shown in the body of this report, the approximate supply of pine timber, now standing in eastern North Carolina is about 3,200,000,000 feet, and this is being cut at the rate of about 450,000,000 feet per annum. These figures point in unmistakable terms to the fact that, unless meanwhile we encourage the growth of new trees, two decades more will find the valuable pine forests of this region largely a thing of the past. And it is unfortunately true that the cutting of this timber is often followed by the destruction of the forest. Indeed, nothing in the way of forest management could be more reckless and destructive than the treatment of our long-leaf pine forests during the past few decades. In the boxing for turpentine the trees have been cut so deeply and so extensively that both their vitality and strength have been greatly weakened, and the storms prostrated many of the finest specimens. The lumberman and the storms have been followed by forest fires, which have completed the destruction, already begun in so systematic a manner, of large areas The total area of these waste lands is now nearly half a million acres, and is steadily increasing. The report endeavors to show that while much of these waste lands are worthless for other purposes. they can be re-set with long-leaf pine forests if they can only be protected against forest fires and stock. And it is gratifying to find among the lumbermen themselves a growing realization of the fact that it is to their interest and to the interest of the public at large that this destructive policy give place to a more intelligent plan which, while it does not seriously curtail the utilization of the existing forests, looks to their protection and prosperity.
These facts are startling; they are alarming. We hope Prof. Holmes and his assistants will find their labors resulting in an awakening of our people to take active measures for the preservation of our forests.