The Augusta Courier

State's Greatest Natural Resource Is Forest Herman

ATLANTA What is Georgia's greatest natural resource? It's her timber, in the opinion of Gov. Herman Talmadge himself a farmer, who offers as proof of its value the fact that last year 35 new forest industries representing a combined investment of more than $140.8-million were established in the state.

Addressing an estimated 5,000 persons attending the recent 60th Anniversary farmer-governor said Georgia's economic future particularly that of South and Coastal Georgia depends "in large measure upon a coordinated program of development and conservation of our timber resources." He cited evidence of the "remarkable strides toward that end" made during his administration. Said he:

"The greatest natural resource we possess in Georgia is our forests. Two out of every three of our acres are devoted to timber in some form. And because of the combined advantages of a mild climate and abundant rainfall, we can produce pulpwood in about twelve years and saw logs in 20 to 25 years.

"Proof of the economic potential of this resource is the fact that last year 35 new forest industries representing a combined capital investment of $140,863,500 were established in Georgia. These new industries include three pulp mills valued at almost $100-million: eleven lumber firms and factories producing oak flooring, blinds and awnings, handles, doors, windows and sashes and boxes. They will add new millions to Georgia's payroll every year."

Declaring that unfortunately Georgia neglected its timber resources to a great degree until recent years. Talmadge said:

"As late as 1948. we had fire protection in only 32 of our 159 counties. We were exercising few, if any, sound forestry practices and were realizing about $300- million annually from timber, pulpwood and naval stores.

"Happily our legislature realized that our greatest resource was being neglected and in a period of four years we have advanced from 46th to first among the states in the number of privately-owned timber under fire protection. Now we are harvesting some $600-million worth of timber products each year.

"As laudable as this is. think what we could be doing had we initiated our conservation practices 25 or 30 years ago. Instead of realizing $600-million a year from our forest resources. we would be getting about $1.5-billion this year. Thus it is easy to see that our timber resources, properly utilized, are capable of making us one of the wealthiest states in the Union."

As an excellent example of the development of Georgia's timber industry. the Governor cited the St. Mary's Kraft Corp. plant located in Camden County near Kingsland. It has, he said, contributed immeasurably to the growth and prosperity of Coastal Georgia, employing 850 workers with an annual payroll of some $4- million.