Preservation Of The Forests

PRESERVATION OF THE FORESTS

TEXT OF THE PAPER BEFORE THE LADIES’ UNION

Read by Mrs. Coon Yesterday – She Brought Out Some Very Interesting Points

Mrs. Emmett Coon read a most interesting paper on forestry before the Ladies' Union Wednesday afternoon. It is a subject in which the people of Ann Arbor are vastly interested.

Mrs. Coon told of the effect of the loss of trees upon the climate, the water supply and the much greater prevalence of wind storms, which the trees formerly served to break. She said: "We have sowed the wind and reaped the whirlwind by the destruction of our forests.'' It is not merely for our benefit that we must protect our forests, but for the future generations. The study of forestry teaches us how to preserve the trees, to destroy the enemies of trees, to insure a future timber supply, how to grow trees where the land is unavailable for agricultural purposes. In almost every country there is a day set aside for the planting of trees as Arbor day is celebrated in the United States and Canada.

The question of saving the forests on the Hawaiian Islands is a serious one for the trees are trampled on and destroyed by wild and tame cattle which roam over the hills. One of the most serious dangers to the trees in America is the forest fire and the forestry commission is striving to find some means of guarding the forests from ravage by fire which annually destroys millions of dollars worth of timber. This commission is greatly hampered, however, in its work by the small appropriations which are made for the work.

Statistics show that in Washington, one of the richest timber states in the Union, one-third of all the timber has been destroyed by fire in less than one generation. The forestry commission advises the setting aside of certain lands to be planted with trees, to remain as forests forever.

The eucalyptus tree is a most valuable one on account of its quick growth, hardihood and the value of the timber for various purposes. The eucalyptus will solve the future fuel problem. The oil which is made from the leaves and branches is very valuable for medicinal purposes.

Mrs. Coon concluded her paper by telling of some personal experiences with forest fires. The paper was most interesting and roused the enthusiasm of the club women for the preservation of the forests of our state.