carded match, the effort to improve a small area by "burning off," may be the initiative of a forest fire, destroying valuable timber which has reached maturity through many years of development and which cannot be restored in the span of human life.

It removes permanently a source of prospective wealth and leaves a barren waste studded with blackened trunks. It may lap up homes, wipe out the savings and bring discouragement to the pioneer farmer, or entail loss and suffering on the settler.

surveying parties traverse properties either by courtesy of owners or without permission.

Common decency suggests that the damage done to crops or to timber lands should be limited to the actual necessities of the case, for often the offending parties subject themselves to action for trespass.

It is particularly unfortunate that young men studying for an elevated profession should not be instructed in the value of timbered areas and in protecting forests. The careless hacking of young trees, the destruction of mature or growing timber, when such can be avoided, teaches students

COMPLAINTS have reached us of apparently unnecessary damage done to growing timber by surveying parties; one of the latest calling attention to what is designated as wanton destruction, by students in engineering of an educational institution who are receiving practical instruction in surveying.

It is essential in running lines for railroads and other purposes that, as far as possible, unobstructed vision be given to parties using instruments, and axemen are essential to any corps which runs lines through wooded areas. It is, however, evident that in many instances the damage done is greatly in excess of what is necessary, and the protests of the owners of woodlands, against such damage, are too often justified. Frequently mature trees which chance to be in the line of sight are cut down, and the felling of these defers the work of the corps for a longer time than the resetting of the instrument, for carrying the line around the trees. Where an actual location of a line of surveys is to be promptly followed by construction the felling of almost any tree would be justifiable, for the damage would be included in the settlement for the right of way. But in preliminary or experimental work of students unnecessary damage is inexcusable. The right of eminent domain permits representatives of some corporations to enter upon the properties of others and make surveys, but does not release responsibility for injury done. In many cases, however,

and the practical experience gained in a month's outdoor work may impress upon the young engineer carelessness as to the rights of others.

We are not pessimistic, we recognize that surveys must be run in developing the country, and appreciate the practical education given to students in actual survey, but we must admit that some of the complaints made are justified by facts, and we anticipate that, unless a reform is introduced, some offended property owner may invoke the protection of the laws in such manner as to impress upon the offenders their shortcomings. J. B. *

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FALL Arbor Day in Pennsylvania has been announced by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. N. C. Schaeffer, and we bespeak a cordial response from the teachers and scholars of the schools of the State. Under discrete guidance a community of school children is easily led, and if this guidance is associated with earnestness on the part of the teachers, enthusiasm of scholars is sure to follow.

It has been our privilege to record from time to time valuable assistance rendered the cause of forestry by schools whose scholars have been enthused by their preceptors; and from the emphatic expressions of interest pervading the proclamation of Superintendent Schaeffer, he evidently desires that the schools of Pennsylvania should inculcate a knowledge and love of forests.

The editors of FOREST LEAVES will be gratified to receive from teachers, or others interested, information concerning the observation of Fall Arbor Day, Friday, October 21, 1904. J. B.

On the occasion of the centennial anniversary of the death of Alexander Hamilton, the great statesman, which was celebrated this summer, the speeches were delivered under the seven trees which remain of the thirteen planted by Hamilton at "The Grange" to represent the thirteen original States.

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Autumn Arbor Day.

"THE planter of grain plants for himself. The planter of trees plants for others. The one plants for the present, the other for the future.'

The State of Pennsylvania now owns 632,937 acres of land which have been set apart for the growth of trees. This area is more than that of Lancaster County (972 square miles), the richest agricultural county in the United States. There are 500,000,000 acres of growing forest in the United States outside of our Insular Possessions. And yet it is estimated that the annual consumption of wood is twice as great as its growth. This fact shows the importance of forestry as a national industry. It is second only to agriculture.

The Pennsylvania Railroad has planted thousands of trees between Harrisburg and Philadelphia, and has purchased large tracts of land for the purpose of growing millions of trees that will hereafter be needed in railway construction. Railroads generally are vying with one another in the adornment of vacant plots around their passenger stations. The cities are creating parks as breathing places for the multitudes. The schools are planting trees upon their grounds and along the highways, so that in many instances the school grounds rival the grounds around the homes of the children, and the public roads are beginning to resemble the best kept streets of the cities. Increased attention to tree-planting brings increased knowledge of plant life, and begets increased regard for everything that is

beautiful in nature.

economic value of trees be discussed, and, above all, let trees be planted upon the school grounds, around the homes and along the highways, so that the day may be profitable from the economic point of view, as well as valuable for educational purposes. NATHAN C. SCHAEFFER,

State Superintendent of Public Instruction. HARRISBURG, PA., September 26, 1904.

Report of the Fire Warden of the Cumberland Valley, Pa.

'OR many years the spring and autumn forest fires in the South Mountains of Cumberland, Franklin and Adams Counties have been as destructive to the growing timber as they were discreditable to the officials, whose duty it was to detect and punish the criminals and to suppress the fires.

Practically nothing was done to make an example of offenders. This was no fault of the officials in Harrisburg, for they made every effort to have the laws enforced. The truth may as well be bluntly stated. The fault lay with the citizens of these counties and with the officers whom they elected.

Last spring it was felt that the time had come for a change of fire wardens.

Among others Dr. H. H. Longsdorf, a publicspirited physician of Dickinson, was requested to act as fire warden. At a personal sacrifice to himself he accepted the duty and the following report shows what may be done by a conscientious, wide-awake officer. We have but one regret in this matter, and it is that a similar warden cannot be found for every fire-infested township of the State.

It is proper to add that the appointment of Dr. Longsdorf was requested by many of the most influential citizens of the Cumberland Valley, and they have actively co-operated with him. J. T. ROTHROCK, DICKINSON, PA., May 2, 1904.

DR. J. T. ROTHROCK, Commissioner of Forestry, Harrisburg, Pa. My Dear Sir: I beg leave to submit to you the following report of work and results as fire warden for the month of April, 1904. My district, especially from Mt. Holly Springs through the Gap, along the line of the G. & H. branch of the P. & R. R. R. and the Hunters Run and Slate Belt R. R., was well covered with reward card notices, and, during the month, about 200 per

sonal letters were mailed to the mountain land- | owners throughout the district, asking their thorough co-operation with the State Forestry Department in the matter of fire protection. I have twice, personally, gone over the district on horseback, and twice a week, during the month, been over the railroad line between Mt. Holly Springs and Hunters Run Station, a distance of 4 miles. I have had two men, instead of one as stated in my March report, employed to watch the railroad engines, walking the track on alternate days through the Mt. Holly Gap, from Mt. Holly Springs to Hunters Run, and have it well understood throughout Mt. Holly Springs and all along the line that a fair reward will be paid for proper information in reference to forest fires from any source.

Mr. Stevens, District Superintendent of the P. & R. R. R., stationed at Reading most courteously acknowledged my letter to him, and my men at Mt. Holly Springs stated that they have it from the train men that at least three (3) of the engines used on the G. & H. branch have been refitted with new spark-arresters. There are seven (7) saw-, shingle- and stave-mills in the district. I have seen all of the owners, and have had them burn around their mill sites for 100 yards in every direction, also seeing that they have efficient spark-arresters on their engines.

The wood-pulp people of York are working with gangs of men at (5) different points, with probably sixty men employed, and I have been at each point twice during the month to see that all use proper and thorough precautions against fire. Four men were employed as detectives during the month, and there was spent in wages and printing $54.50.

Results.-There has not been a spark of fire on the first range of mountains between Mt. Holly Springs and the Franklin County line, the first April in twenty-five years, at least, that this can be said.

On Sunday, April 3d, a slight fire on Trents Hill, below Mt. Holly Springs (outside of the district), burnt over a hill denuded of timber before it was surrounded and put out. It was first noticed about 200 yards away from the railroad's right of way, and have thus far been unable to ascertain how it was fired. If it was the railway engine, the spark must have blown at least 200 yards away over their right of way. There was no timber destroyed. You called my attention to this fire in your letter of April 6th. There have been no fires of any kind along the railway line since that time. The only other fire during the month was on the second range of mountains beyond Pine Grove Furnace on that awful windy

Wednesday (April 20th). Mr. A. C. Givler, Superintendent, noticed a slight fire in a wood job of theirs on the side of the mountain beyond the furnace. The job contained about 4000 cords of ranked wood. His men were sent out and put the fire out after it had burned about 10 cords of wood. The cause of the fire is not known; probably from a wood-chopper's dinner fire. There was a very destructive and rather extensive fire on the 19th instant, on the Adams County side of the mountains, but I did not investigate it, as it was not in the district. There were also very extensive forest fires on the North Mountain on the north side of the valley.

I wish to thank S. R. Still, Superintendent of the Philadelphia Clay Co. at Hunters Run; A. C. Givler, Superintendent S. M. M. & I. Co. at Pine Grove Furnace; W. H. Hasting, Superintendent pulp-wood workmen for Gladfelters of York, Pa.; and Mr. O. K. Clever of Shippensburg, Pa., for their active and earnest co-operation and assistance in my work during the month. I really feel, if you will pardon me, that there has been at least a beginning made in this great work, and I am sure that our people are more interested and concerned in the matter of forest fires than ever before, and that if the efforts are continued throughout the season we may at last achieve important and lasting results.

Very respectfully yours,

H. H. LONGSDORF,
Fire Warden.

Wooded Areas of European Countries.

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ICHARD GUENTHER, Consul-General at Frankfort, Germany, gives the percentage of the wooded areas of European countries, as compared with their total areas, as follows:

Finland, 51.2; Sweden, 49.3; Russia, 40.4; Austria, 32.6; Luxemburg, 29.1; Hungary, 27.7; Germany, 26.1; Servia, 24.9; Turkey, 23.4; Norway, 22; Roumania and Switzerland, 21.4 each; Bulgaria, 20.8. The other European countries have less than 20 per cent. of woodland. England has the smallest wooded area, 3.6 per cent.

The coloring of the leaves in autumn is said to be due to the formation of organic acids from the absorption of oxygen, and caused by a ripening process, similar to that which colors ripening fruit. It is not the effect of frost, but is hastened by cool nights alternating with warm days.

The Need of a Forestry Experiment Station in Pennsylvania.

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HERE are few who have failed to realize, in some measure at least, the important rôle of forest trees in the economy of nature. Yet the question as to the general effect upon soil, climate and economic condition as a nation is one that has not always presented itself as demanding a practical solution.

The forest is a heritage which has been acquired and accepted from ancient times. Its value consists not merely in the immediate output of lumber obtained, but in the profits gained from its influence upon climate, weather protection and preservation of the soil and its crop.

The forest is of importance not only at the present time, but of equal, even greater, importance to the future of the entire human race. This is an unquestionable truth, although entirely and absolutely ignored by indolence and egotism, making it the duty of the lawmakers to proceed against both, wherever they become a public nuisance.

I am interested in the planting of trees, in the preservation, improvement and extension of forests, because I believe it is the duty of everyone as the inheritors of a great trust to preserve the inheritance, not only for the profit and protection of present interests, but as a duty due to posterity.

Are we watching this heritage as we should? Are we not squandering it by the reckless treatment of our forests?

Pennsylvania was once supplied by nature with a more varied and generous covering of timber than any other State in the Union.

For more than two hundred years this magnificent forest area has been yielding to the demands of agriculture, manufacture and commerce, until only a small percentage remains. Considered from a strictly forestal point of view, the necessity for prompt, liberal measures to restore and preserve the remaining forest is urgent and pressing. While the forests have been most improvidently cut down, developing a tree destroying instinct, Germany, France and other European countries have declared that forests must be protected by the State, and have formulated into laws the lessons taught by experience. This experience shows that from one-fourth to one-third of any considerable area should be occupied with forest, thus securing the best results in the productiveness of the soil and consequent ability to support a large and constantly increasing population.

Pennsylvania is awakening to a realization of the value of its forests, and what has been done in the short time since forestry has been created deserves the highest praise. Our State has estab

lished a Department of Forestry, well equipped with the power to purchase lands necessary for forest preservation, and possesses now over 600,

ooo acres.

One year ago it established the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy at Mont Alto. Instruction is given in the elements of forestry, together with kindred branches, and under the efficient direction of the energetic State Forester, George H. Wirt, will accomplish much good, and every citizen should take a great interest in this work.

This brings up the point of the feasibility, or rather urgent necessity, of a more rational management of the forests, based upon careful investigation and exact experiment. For this a forestry experiment station is needed, similar to the agricultural experiment stations that are now so firmly established in this country.

This would show how the valuable timber trees can be cheaply and successfully grown from seed and cuttings, determine the best merchantable varieties for special soils or purposes, the methods of improving existing mountain land, the proper time to cut and the best way to preserve timber, beside answering various questions of like character, to ascertain the rate of growth and other laws upon which a forest management must be based; this would be rendering a service of great value to the State and every timber-land owner.

European nations are not short-sighted, having at present time no less than sixteen forestry experiment stations, of which nine are in Germany.

The forestry experiment station should be closely connected with the State Forest Academy, aiding in developing a well-defined policy and practical methods of intensive management.

The object of such a station would be to illustrate how best to conserve and improve existing forest land, to establish suitable nurseries and forest experiment areas, to encourage the production of timber as a farm crop, to exemplify the best methods of forest-planting and management, to furnish the basis and elements for profit calculations, and to advance the cause of scientific and practical education in forestry.

The experiments can take definitive shape and be pushed with vigor only as means can be provided for the same. Such a station will pay for itself and become more than ever a necessity for practical lessons in arboriculture and knowledge of forest trees for students. It would also furnish desirable object lessons to every timber-land owner and act as an intelligence-office. After a few years' operation, any further legislative action that is necessary will suggest itself and a bright future for Pennsylvania's great forestry interests be assured. In forestry there are scores of questions contin

ually coming up for solution, and naturally the experiment station would be looked to for aid. These questions are widely different in themselves and in their practicability. The extremes are represented, on the one hand, by questions of pure science which may not be of any present practical value; on the other hand, by direct tests of methods of tree-planting, etc., tests which would appear to be conclusive, and determine practice. The first named, which are strongly advocated by scientific friends, do not at once commend themselves to the forester, since they seem to be questions of theory alone, and incapable of any practical application, but should not be despised.

It is short-sighted and narrow-minded not to see that all true progress is founded upon just such apparently abstract details which the patient laborers in the laboratory have elucidated. At first, such knowledge may have no known application, and hence no appreciable value; appearing as so many isolated facts bearing no relation to any thing before known in practice. But with further discovery it often becomes of direct practical use, and the wonder was that it had remained unused so long. Although the best illustrations are found in the application of the more exact sciences of chemistry and mechanics, they are not wanting in the practice of forestry.

There are many subjects of investigation which can be best reached from the side of pure science. Such, for instance, as various woody-plant diseases, due to parasitic fungi like Tramedes radiciperda, which causes red rot in the spruce. Practically,

we are concerned with means for preventing or eradicating these diseases, but the first step in prevention calls for a knowledge of their nature. In the cases named all sorts of opinions were held upon this point until the systematic labor of theoretical botanists gave the true cause in specific germs, which, finding congenial places for their sustenance, grow and multiply at the expense of the hosts upon which a lodgement was found. In such instances, cause and effect are so closely, and apparently inextricably, intermingled that nothing short of the rigid tests and cultures in the laboratory are capable of separating them. Mere superficial out-door observations, while aiding, can never correctly solve such questions. They call for skill in the use of a microscope, a special knowledge for the interpretation of what is thus disclosed, and a degree of patience which few people possess. Application of remedies for these special diseases may be difficult, may even be unavailing, but there is at least the satisfaction of knowing that we are not working in the dark, and that the means employed are founded upon a definite conception of the nature of the disorder and

are in accordance with the practice of the time. This is so with the whole group of subjects which the practical man looks at askance, querying within himself what good can come of them. The scientific world is right in looking to these experiment stations for work of this kind. It may meet with some unfavorable criticism, but time will show its value, and if done with reasonable care and thoroughness will carry with it its own justification. This is a work in which the entire State, as a timber-land owner, must necessarily be interested, and as every citizen is more or less directly concerned, so every friend of the work should heartily recommend liberal appropriations for such an experiment station. From a personal knowledge I am convinced that such a station will furnish valuable results. There are willing hands to do the work; now it only lays on our friends to open the way for carrying out the work. Forestry is not only a business, but an art, or the skilful application of knowledge gained from many years of experimentation and experience. PAUL E. ARNOLD.

Rules for Camping in Pennsylvania's Forest Reserves.

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THE Forestry Department has promulgated its rules and regulations in regard to camping on the forest reserves of the State of Pennsylvania, and has had these printed in the form of a muslin poster. This poster reads as follows:

RULES FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE FORESTRY RESERVATION LANDS. (Adopted by Resolution of the State Forestry Reservation Commission, August 5, 1904.) 1. The game and fish laws of the State must not be violated.

2. Birds' nests must not be destroyed or in any other manner interfered with.

3. Open camp-fires or other fires must not be made, except in a hole or pit one foot deep, encircling the pit so made by the earth taken out.

4. Every camp-fire or other open fire must be absolutely extinguished before the last member of the party using it leaves the locality.

5. Lighted matches must not be thrown upon the ground. In every case they must be allowed to burn out or be otherwise extinguished.

6. Living trees must not be cut down or injured in any manner. Dead and down timber may be used for camp-fires.

7. No person will be permitted to erect a camp who has not accepted in writing the camping rules and received a camping permit.

8. Every person receiving a camping permit