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SUGAR MAPLES.

One of the very finest deciduous-leaved trees of North

America is the tall Sugar Maple. It can truly be called
the noblest of all the Maples.

NO BETTER VARIETY CAN BE USED FOR STREET,
PARK, OR LAWN PLANTING,

as its growth is rapid and straight, its form symmetrical,
and it does not have the objectionable density of foliage
possessed by the Norway Maple.

For this reason it is well adapted for planting near build-
ings, as it does not obstruct light or air, and the grass
will grow up to its very trunk. It is deep-rooted, and
the wood is not brittle; hence, it is not easily damaged
by storms. The Sugar Maple will thrive in almost
all localities, except where the ground is damp or
boggy. No tree has more gorgeous autumn coloring,
as it varies in all shades of yellow, orange and scarlet
until the leaves finally fall.

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97

VOL. IX.

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PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION,

CONTENTS.

1012 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa.

Entered at the Philadelphia Post-Office as second class matter.

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Editorials..

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Law, Hon. W. N. Ashman, Chairman; Henry Budd, Charles Hewett, and John A. Siner.

Publication, John Birkinbine, Chairman; F. L. Bitler, Alfred Paschall, and Harrison Souder.

Work, Mrs. Brinton Coxe, Chairman; Mrs. George T. Heston, Miss E. L. Lundy, Mrs. John P. Lundy, William S. Kirk, and Abraham S. Schropp.

County Organization, Samu Marshall, Chairman; Eugene Ellicott, James C. Haydon, Dr. J. Newton Hunsberger, and Richard Wood. OFFICE OF THE ASSOCIATION, 1012 WALNUT ST., PHILADELPHIA.

S this issue goes to press, preparations are in progress at various public schools throughout Pennsylvania to celebrate Arbor Day. The Department of Public Instruction has been a strong ally in popularizing forestry by encouraging recognition of Arbor Day each fall by the pupils of the public schools, but the custom followed in Pennsylvania, of having practically three Arbor Days each year, has been criticized as detracting from the general observance of any special day.

This may be the case, but it is probable tha more individuals take an active part by having three separate days designated.

In the spring the Governor of Pennsylvania names two days (a fortnight apart) to be recognized by the people of the State as Arbor Days,the topographical and climatic conditions making it inadvisable to name a specific day for the entire State,-when tree-planting is recommended.

The fall Arbor Day is an occasion recognized by the Department of Public Instruction to encourage among the school children of Pennsylvania a love of tree growth, and to impress upon them the value of forests. Each fulfils an important function, and the aid of each Arbor Day is recognized by the friends of forestry. J. B.

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THE year 1903 will take prominent rank as one of disastrous floods, and in discussing the damage done the possible retarding influence of forests upon run-off has been referred to editorially, some of the predictions as to the help which could be looked for by forests lessening the flood Undoubtheights of streams being overdrawn.

edly, the most potent factor in limiting the run-off in times of exceptionally heavy rains is the forest floor. As much rain falls on the forests as on the cleared land, the leaf-covered branches of trees undoubtedly receiving the blows from rain-drops,

encourage them to reach the ground at reduced velocity, and therefore with less probability of compacting the soil. But if the forest floor has not been destroyed by fire, it offers a spongy mass which, becoming saturated, gives off water with less rapidity than unprotected soil, reducing the maximum delivery and extending the time before the minimum is reached.

The influence which a liberal forested area exerts upon the run-off immediately following rain is unquestionable, but in phenomenal rains, either when enormous quantities fall within a limited time, or when steady rains continue for days, freshets will occur in streams in thickly forested regions; but the maximum delivery at any time may be expected to be decidedly less than in the open country. Forest areas will ameliorate, but not prevent, freshets.

J. B.

Announcement of Autumn Arbor Day.

I LOVE the tree, 'tis old and gray,
Has bent to storms in younger day,
But rose again to grow erect
With every twig and leaf bedecked,

With nature's dress the sweeter.

I love the one who like the tree
May bow the head or bend the knee,
But when the storm of life is done
Will rise with victory grandly won

To bless and help the weaker. -F. W. Jones. The law wisely requires the observance of Arbor Day in the public schools. The rapid destruction of our forests has alarmed the far-seeing citizens of the Commonwealth. The gradual purchase of large tracts for forestry purposes is but the beginning of what should be done to avert the scarcity of timber and other attendant evils which threaten the material welfare of our people. The new career which is opening to those who dedicate their lives to forestry, and the important service which they can render to future generations, should be pointed out to the aspiring youth in our schools. Every boy and every girl should be taught how to plant and protect trees. The value of trees for shade, for fruit and for industrial purposes should be duly emphasized. Their significance in the domain of the higher life, and the use made of them in literature and ethical instruction, should be brought to the notice of our young people. The time is past when argument is needed to show the importance of a proper observance of Arbor Day in all the schools of America.

Since many rural schools are not in session when the regular Arbor Day is observed, and since trees

can be planted in the autumn as well as in the spring, it has become customary to observe an Arbor Day in the fall of the year. In accordance with this established custom,

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1903,

is designated as Autumn Arbor Day, and superintendents, teachers and pupils are asked to observe the day by the planting of trees and by other suitable exercises. NATHAN C. SCHAEFFER,

FR

acres.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Forests of the Philippines.

ROM the report of the Bureau of Forestry of Philippine Islands, just issued, the following has been excerpted:

The area of the Philippine Islands as given by various Spanish engineers runs between a little less than 70,000,000 to a little more than 73,000,000 The forest area was estimated by Fernando Castro in 1890 at about 48,112,920 acres. This estimate includes all woodland, public and private. The area of private woodlands held under a good title is far below 1,000,000 acres.

As far as we can learn from the former forestry officials in these islands no scientific examination was ever made of the stand of timber. This work is now being carried on by field parties from the forestry bureau.

There are between 600 and 700 native tree species, of which there is some information, but there is great confusion in both scientific and popular names of tree species which it will take much time to correct. Upward of fifty species are found on an acre and several hundred species in a comparatively limited region.

A preliminary examination of the forests of the Philippines shows that they have been almost entirely destroyed in many places. This line of destruction seems to follow the line of civilization. In Cebu-the first island settled by the Spaniards

almost every stick of merchantable timber has been cut away, and no good reproduction has ever taken place. In Panay and Negros, as well as in many provinces of Luzon, very little merchantable timber of a high grade is to be found.

A trip on the railway from Manila to Dagupan will not reveal much good timber within several miles of the road. In many of the islands the good timber has been cut away for about three miles back from the coast. But as we leave the centres of civilization, we soon run into virgin forests, where the stand of timber over 20 inches in diameter averages in places close to 7000 cubic

feet

per acre; some sample acres show more than 10,000 cubic feet. In the total of forty odd million acres of woodland, we find at the very least 20,000,000 acres of virgin forest. We find virgin forests in the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Neuva Viscaya, and in that part of Tayabas, formerly known as Principe and Infanta; in fact, the entire east coast of Luzon, south to Atimonan, is a virgin forest. The above-mentioned forests in Luzon aggregate an area of at least 3,000,000 acres.

The above is a conservative estimate, and any change made later will, undoubtedly, be to increase the estimate instead of reducing it.

There is much merchantable timber left in the provinces of Tayabas, Camarines, parts of Bulacan, and Bataan.

The islands of Mindoro and Paragua, each containing an area of more than 2,000,000 acres, are covered with a dense stand of virgin timber.

Mindanao, with an area of 23,000,000 acres, contains more than 10,000,000 acres of virgin Samar and Leyte-both large islands

are heavily timbered.

Several hundred varieties of native woods are received in the Manila market during the year. Spanish engineers tested and described only some seventy varieties, so that we have many species in the market to-day that are not popular, owing to the lack of reliable information concerning their strength, durability and suitability for construction purposes. Where strength and durability are especially desired, there are no finer construction woods in the world to-day than molave, ipil and yacal. There are many other native woods which, when tested, will find a place with those just mentioned.

We have a number of woods which will attract the fine-furniture makers, of which may be mentioned narra, tindalo, camagon, ebano, calamansanay, tucan-calao, and alintatao. These varieties are found all over the islands. There are also, eleven different oaks, cedar in abundance, teak, and many other species awaiting investigation to bring out their value.

At this time no more than a mere mention will be made of the fact that there are large areas in the southern islands of this group where guttapercha and a good quality of rubber are found. The islands are rich in other gums, in a great variety of valuable dyewoods, and other forest products that time and enterprise will develop.

At present very little cutting is going on in the virgin forests of the islands. Nearly all of the cutting is found in those provinces and islands which have been cut, over for many years.

It would be difficult at this time to even approximate the present value of the timber on public

lands in the Philippines. Statistics of this office show that several hundred varieties of native woods are brought to market in the islands and are disposed of at a fair price. The government charges for the past year on this great variety of woods averaged a little over 6 cents Mexican per cubic foot Spanish. This charge has continued to remain between 5 and 10 per cent. of the market-price of timber in Manila.

It will be safe to assume an average stand of 3500 cubic feet English, or 4600 cubic feet Spanish, although the valuation surveys give double this estimate of merchantable timber (over 20 inches in diameter) on each acre of the 20,000,000 acres of virgin forests in these islands.

At the above valuation of 6 cents per cubic foot, it is evident that the value to the Philippine government of the above timber is more than $100 gold per acre. By removing this timber under the supervision of forestry officials, each forest tract will gradually improve in value, and while realizing the large sum mentioned, the value per acre of public timber land will eventually approach its true and permanent value, which will be much nearer $200 gold per acre than $100; i.e., after the great mass of mature and overmature timber is removed, the revenue from the sale of the annual increase of growth of public timber will, under careful supervision, bring to the State a fair interest on the valuation per acre as given above.

The remaining public woodland, about 28,000,000 acres, will average in value not less than one-half the value as given for the virgin forest. A small part of this remaining woodland will be taken up as mineral land and for agricultural purposes. After three centuries of civilization in the islands, we find but 6,000,000 acres improved out of a total area of 63,000,000 acres. It will be safe to assume that the forestry bureau will have at least 20,000,000 of the 28,000,000 acres to protect and improve for many years to come. This area, added to the 20,000,000 acres of virgin forest, will give to the State an area of 40,000,000 acres of valuable woodland.

By diverting the efforts of the timber cutters to the virgin forests, and by a rigid protection of the remaining woodland, the value of the total area will, in about thirty years, reach a value undreamed of to-day by those not familiar with what rational forestry is capable of accomplishing.

(The Bureau of Forestry of the Philippine Islands is under the Bureau of Insular Affairs of the War Department. Capt. George P. Ahern has been the efficient head of the Foresty Bureau since | the islands were ceded to the United States.--Ed.)

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