Cbe Conservative * 9
ARBORICULTURE.
Editor of The Conservative :
I have been much interested in your
articles in reference to the destruction
of timber. From study , travel and
observation , I know of no question so
important to the people of the United
States as the preservation of their
timber supply.Vlrilo in humid re
gions the precipitation will create
quite a rapid growth of timber , in the
semi-humid or arid sections , the
growth of timber is always proportionately
tionately slow , where the method
of conveying food for growth is in any
manner lacking.
Increase.
Our first two tiers of countries from
the Missouri river show an increase
of timber above what existed there
thirty-five years ago , but as we pro
ceed westward it is doubtful if the
amount of timber in our state exceeds
the wild or natural amount , which
could have been found growing in the
valleys and along tha water courses
and in the canons prior to the date
mentioned. In western central and
western Nebraska , with the excep
tion of the river valleys , the amount
now growing in no manner can com
pare with the natural supply once
growing on the islands and borders
of the Platte and along the Loup ,
Niobrara and Republican and its
tributaries.
Vital.
Scientific timber culture has never
yet been attempted , yet this is one of
the most vital questions that can be
presented to the people of the state.
In fact there is no question before the
people of our country which excels
this one in importance. Referring to
history , we learn that in proportion
to the decrease in their supply of nat
ural timber , nations have deterior
ated , declined and , in some cases ,
become extinct. Our western states
of the mountain region will yet suffer
so seriously that their principal in
dustry , mining , will become so costly
through the lack of sufficient cheap
timber with which to pillar and case
their mines , that this industry will be
unable to be successfully followed.
This has already occurred in Nevada ,
and Colorado is threatened with the
same peril.
Extinct.
Certain natural laws teach us that
where destruction occurs without re
placement , that ultimately extinction
takes place. That the humidity of the
west is not increasing is one of the
emphasized facts which the United
States Weather Bureau has observed.
That this detrimental condition exists
and continues , is owing I think , large
ly to the extinction of our natural
timber supply.
Water.
Prior to 1870 , there was a continu
ous'stream of water coming down the
South Platte river from Colorado. The
volume of water surging down the
North Platte was much greater than
at the present time. On the Rio
Grande the same conditions existed ,
and even up to late in the summer a
large supply of water formerly passed
by El Paso on the Mexican border.
The same condition of affairs is to be
found all over the mountains of the
west. This has been caused by the
rapid destruction of timber , which
once sheltered and protected the winter
snow from the rays of the sun and
thereby maintained the steadiness of
the supply of water.
Baneful Neglect.
Any further neglect of this import
ant question is perilous , for already
the supply of water coming down the
North Platte , opposite this point ,
shows a great lessening , to the extent
that there is not now sufficient water
for the canals already constructed.
Showing that preceding , and leading ,
the question of irrigation , comes the
question of a protective timber supply
for the winter snows , which furnish
the irrigable waters. Reservoir con
structions will afford some help , but
the protection and scientific culture m. . .
of timber will be of more importance , I ffi
while the prospective legislation of
the national councils may initiate the
reservoir movement. We are all aware ,
that government work is slow , and as
an observer , I can see where but little
will be done that vill materially
affect the prevailing conditions with
in the next fifty years , unless it is as
sociated with a re-foresting move- ,
meat , annually carried forward.
Respectfully yours ,
. I. A. FORT.
North Platte , Neb. , Jan. 14 , ' 02. .
Incorporated 1849.
FIFTY-FOURTH ANNUAL STATEMENT
. . . .OF THE
SPRINGFIELD FIRE AND
MARINE INSURANCE CO.
OF SPRINGFIELD , MASS.
JANUARY 1 , 1902.
Cash Capital , all paid up $2,000,000.00
Re-Insurance Reserve 2,163,584.45
Reserved for all Unsettled Claims 448,107.70
* Net Surplus 1,287,195.28
Gross Assets $5,898,887.43
*
Surplus to Policy-Holders , January 1 , 1902 , $3,287,195.28.
A. W. DAMON , PRESIDENT. W. J. MACK AY , SECRETARY.
WESTERN DEPARTMENT :
171 LA SALLE STREET , CHICAGO , ILL.
A. J. HARDING , MGR. A. F.DEAN , ASST. MGR.
N. S. HARDING , STATE AGENT , NEBRASKA CITY , NEB.
* * 500,000.00 Surplus capitalized July 1 , 1001.
