anaheim-gazette 1907-07-11

REFORESTATION WORK Paper read before Tri-Counties Reforestation Committee, Santa Ana, by K. H. Charlton, Forest Supervisor. It is a well known fact that the progress of the forestry movement in the United States depends largely upon public sentiment and Southern California is indeed fortunate in that its people apparently realize their true and vital relation to the forests of this section, as is evidenced by the existence of this association. It is, I believe, the first and only one of its character organized for the purpose of improving the conditions upon any particular national forest and that it is meeting with the success it deserved is shown by the results already secured. A comparison between the improvement butions to further this work also true that there are few where the degree of watershed development determines so great extent the prosperity of the rounding country. In the creation of national forest, and the fact that it covers but a small percentage of the bearing lands, places it in that known as protective forest chief function of which is water protection. Such being the administration should be so done as not only to protect the o forest cover but to improve work accomplished upon the San Bernardino forest before and after the organization of this association will be a strong testimonial of its influence. Personally I am convinced that the appropriation of $3000 last year and the recent appropriation of $10,000 by the state and federal governments for the improvement of this forest is entirely due to the efforts of this association, and I can assure you that it is most gratifying to the members of the forest service to have such encouraging support. My only regret is that similar associations do not exist throughout the West. It shall be my endeavor to describe briefly the conditions existing upon the San Bernardino forest, the improvement work accomplished this past winter, and that contemplated for the future. As is generally well known, this forest contains 737,000 acres and comprises the summit and slopes of the San Bernardino range of mountains. It was among the first reserves to be created and this fact alone is indicative of reforestation. There is no grazing on this forest, no overgrazing by cattle, no widespread devastations, yet these injuries are more than counted by fires, the liability of it is greatly increased by reason character of the existing growth and the amount of main travel during the summer months. There is probably mention where there is greater danger of fire, nor where the result more disastrous than here in Sienna California. Such being case practically all of our effort date are devoted to the prevention and proper control of the fireace. The general scheme now follows for protection is that of maintaining a constant patrol of the entire by rangers. The forest is divided into districts averaging two ships in area, and a ranger plan charge of each. Each is furnished with fire fighting tools sufficient equip a crew of men; and juxtaposed rapidly as time and funds wi describe briefly the conditions existing upon the San Bernardino forest, the improvement work accomplished this past winter, and that contemplated for the future. As is generally well known, this forest contains 737,000 acres and comprises the summit and slopes of the San Bernardino range of mountains. It was among the first reserves to be created, and this fact alone is indicative of its value to this section. For four years after its creation no steps were taken toward protecting it, congress having failed to make an appropriation for that purpose and even after funds did become available they were so meagre as to allow of the employment of but a few men and those only during the summer season. The natural result was that little in the way of improving the existing conditions was accomplished. With the transfer of the administration in 1904 from the Interior department to the Agricultural department, the appropriations have gradually increased so that many things heretofore impossible can now be accomplished. This work of improving the conditions is still in its infancy, but if this movement receives the same support from the people of this section for the next five years that it has during the present year, I feel sure that this will be one of the best protected forests in the West. I know of no other, except the San Gabriel, where the state and people have been sufficiently interested to make contribution. The general scheme now follows for protection is that of maintaining a constant patrol of the entire by rangers. The forest is divided into districts averaging two ships in area, and a ranger plan charge of each. Each is furnished with fire-fighting tools sufficient equip a crew of men; and rapidly as time and funds will permit I propose constructing checks be placed throughout the month in which to store additional supplies of tools. By doing this much able time can be saved in case of fire. We also contemplate construction of a complex system of telephone lines in this, too, will be of great assistance in assembling men and locating fires. In the valley towns we enlisting the service of the rangers by having them agree to attend fires which they may see waiting to be called upon. In addition, all of the rangers and a number of reliable settlers in the mountain have been appointed state fire dens and as such have authority regulate the use of fire, compete bodied men to assist in extinguishing them, or in case of violation of the state laws to make an Of the sixteen arrests made summer a conviction follow each case. The authority of rangers in regulating the use of therefore covers not only that serves but the valley, it being lawful for a man to even burn on his own land during the dry further this work. It is that there are few others degree of watershed determines to so great an prosperity of the surnountry. ation of national forests principal objects in view areation of a perpetual superchantable timber for dammption, and the protecforest cover which reguflow. The conditions by the San Bernardino fact that it contains percentage of timber-lands, places it in that class protective forests, theion of which is watershed. Such being the case, its condition should be so directed to protect the existing but to improve it by son without first securing a permit to do so, and these permits are only issued when proper precautions to prevent the spread of fire has been taken. The extension of authority was found necessary to protect the mountains, because the continued clearing of the land in the foothills was the direct cause of many mountain fires. Thus it will be seen that all possible precautions have been taken. The thing now remaining to be done is to educate the people by showing them how to handle camp fires. Another essential step necessary to the proper control of fires is to render the mountains more accessible by means of trails, and in my opinion there is greater need of these on the San Bernardino forest at this time than any other form of improvement. Any one who has firebreak. At present they of fully 100 miles of trail southern slope, and I believe of the $10,000 appropriated expended this coming winter one-half of it should be dethis work, the balance to be led towards the extension of breaks already constructed year. Another measure under check fire is firebreaks. Miles of these were construc last winter, in addition miles of new trail and seven of old trail repaired, with the contributed by this associathe Forest Service. The of firebreaks was fully demen ed last summer when a fir by a strong wind was checked upon reaching a bury the San Gabriel forest, therationists in the valley around burg became so convinced value that they turned out ter with brush hooks and and assisted the rangers in oing them in the watershed they were interested. Po water companies have alnized the value of such p and employed laborers to s rangers in this work. Such ation is almost essential be amount of work to be done gering when one considers itited number of rangers and the fact that for abo months out of each year tha time must be devoted to po The firebreaks constructed BERNARDINO FOREST RESERVE There is no sheep in this forest, no overgrazing, no widespread insect infestation, yet these injurious elephants than counterbalances the liability of which increased by reason of the existing forest the amount of mountainters during the summer there is probably no secrethere is greater danger where the results are more than here in South Carolina. Such being the result all of our efforts to noted to the prevention control of the fire menal scheme now followed is that of maintaining control of the entire area. The forest is divided averaging two townships and a ranger placed in each. Each is furnished using tools sufficient to carry off men; and just as some and funds will per-ever attempted to penetrate the dence chapparel growth on these mountains will readily realize the difficulties of a fire fighter in a section devoid of roads, trails or other means of access. The southern slope of these mountains is, of course, the most important, and unfortunately, it is that slope which is at once the most inaccessible and most liable to the devastation of fire, being covered with a dense chapparal growth. We cannot hope to properly protect this area until it is possible for fire fighters to reach the scene of a fire readily, and this cannot be accomplished until the whole section is covered with a network of trails. While fire breaks have proven their worth, yet I believe that our first efforts should be directed towards the construction of trails which, if made wide enough and constructed upon ridges instead of in canyon bottoms, can be made to serve the dual purpose of trail and nized the value of such products and employed laborers to rafters in this work. Such station is almost essential because amount of work to be done gering when one considers limited number of rafters and the fact that for about months out of each year the time must be devoted to p. The firebreaks constructed winter follow the backbone ridges, which is the most adous place to check a fog. They extend in a continuum from city to Mill Creek, and protect the City creek, Plum Mill creek and the Santa Ana sheds. They run parallel base of the mountains and cating them we had in prevention of fires originating foothills from reaching valuable watersheds which ther back. These breaks on an average of $300 per though I understand that this tion was advised they could for $100 per mile. Irrigation and Forest The exposition of irrigation products and forest products will be held at Sacramento in ber will no doubt be a great. The management announces aficient list of handsome and trophies, comprising no less teen handsome gold and silver cups especially designed and tured for the occasion and on interstate competition by men and business houses of G and other states. Enthusiasm for this event is being felt, especially through irrigated area. Irrigation are prepared to send their best to capture some of these prizes. Farmers on irrigated already preparing to forward fruits and grains and vegetable Interest already manifested. A general scheme now followed is that of maintaining control of the entire area of the forest. The forest is divided into averaging two townships, and a ranger placed in each. Each is furnished with tools sufficient to carry off men; and just as some and funds will permeate constructing chests throughout the mountains store additional supplies by doing this much valuation be saved in case of also contemplate the need of a complete telephone lines and be of great assistance among men and locating the valley towns we are in service of the ranchers them agree to attend any day they may see without being called upon. In addition rangers and a number of settlers in the mountains appointed state fire war-such have authority to use of fire, compel able to assist in extinguish-ism, or in case of violations laws to make arrests. Between arrests made last conviction followed in The authority of the regulating the use of fire rivers not only the re-the valley, it being un-man to even burn brush and during the dry sea-trails. While fire breaks have proven their worth, yet I believe that our first efforts should be directed towards the construction of trails which, if made wide enough and constructed upon ridges instead of in canyon bottoms, can be made to serve the dual purpose of trail and TREES IN SAN BERNARDINO FOREST At present there is need of 100 miles of trails on the slope, and I believe that 20,000 appropriation to be made this coming winter, fully of it should be devoted to the balance to be expendable the extension of the fire-already constructed this measure undertaken to fire is firebreaks. Twelve these were constructed this winter, in addition to seven new trail and seven miles trail repaired, with the funds used by this association and at Service. The efficiency breaks was fully demonstrat- summer when a fire fanned strong wind was promptly upon reaching a break. On Gabriel forest, the irrigation in the valley around Lord's game so convinced of their suit they turned out last win-brush hooks and mattocks used the rangers in construct- in the watershed in which are interested. Power and companies have also recognized value of such protection employed laborers to assist the work. Such co oper- almost essential because the work to be done is stagnant one considers the limber of rangers available fact that for about seven out of each year their entire part be devoted to patrolling. Anaheimer Makes Good Walter Johnson, a native of Anaheim, 19 years ago, whose record as a twirler is without parallel in baseball history, has come into his own, having just signed a contract to pitch for the American league team of Washington, D.C., where he will report July 20th. Johnson opened the season with the Weiser team of the Idaho state league at Weiser, south of Spokane, and up to June 30th pitched 75 innings without a hit being scored against him. He struck out 166 men in 99 innings, pitched seven consecutive shutout games, and played in games in which his team scored 98 runs to their opponents' 5 runs. He is credited with striking out 18 men in each of several games, and in one game retiring the first eight men to face him, while 11 others did not reach first. While playing with the Olinda team, he pitched 49 innings without a hit being scored by the opposing team. While his performances have never been approached by the foremost big leagues, young Johnson is modest. He goes about his work on the diamond in a business like way and is good natured throughout, never questioning the decisions of the man with the indicator, no matter how rank. He has the characteristic California faith in himself and in this, coupled with headwork, he has made more than good in value of such protection enjoyed laborers to assist the work. Such co-operators most essential because the work to be done is stagnant one considers the limiter of rangers available fact that for about seven out of each year their entire it be devoted to patrolling. Breaks constructed this past follow the backbone of the which is the most advantage-ute to check a forest fire. tend in a continuous chain to Mill Creek, and serve to the City creek, Plunge creek, and the Santa Ana water. They run parallel to the mountains and in so lo-cem we had in mind the sun of fires originating in the area from reaching the more watersheds which lie fur-These breaks have cost average of $300 per mile, al-understand that this associ- advised they could be built over mile. ation and Forestry position of irrigated lands' and forest products which sold at Sacramento in Septem-ho doubt be a great event. Agreement announces a magnificent handsome and valuable comprising no less than six-some gold and silver loving specially designed and manufacthe occasion and offered for competition by prominent business houses of California states. asm for this event is already especially throughout the area. Irrigation districts need to send their best in order some of these handsome farmers on irrigated land are preparing to forward prize grains and vegetables. already manifested through- While his performances have never been approached by the foremost big leagues, young Johnson is modest. He goes about his work on the diamond in a business like way and is good natured throughout, never questioning the decisions of the man with the indicator, no matter how rank. He has the characteristic California faith in himself and in this, coupled with head-work, he has made more than good in a state league composed of fast and heady players, brought to the north-west from the baseball centers in the middle west, east and Pacific coast. Veterans who have watched his play since the opening of the season declare that the coming year will see the young Californian at the head of the pitching ranks in the national league. Bicycle Thief Goes to Jail Harry F. Meyers, the bicycle thief, was on Friday sentenced by Judge Howard to ten months' imprisonment in the county jail. Two charges of grand larceny were preferred against him, one by Bob Heinrichs and the other by R. Spoerl. Upon the first Meyers received six months, and upon the second four months. Deputy District Attorney Rutan conducted the prosecution. Meyers arrived in town last week and proceeded to rent a number of bicycles, saying he was going out of town for a short ride. He procured a wheel at each of three establishments. Taking them to the express office he shipped them to Los Angeles. The theft became known the following day and Constable Litten, armed with a warrant, went to Los Angeles and secured seven wheels as they were being delivered to Meyer at his place of abode. Two of these wheels belonged in Fullerton and two in Orange. He was placed under arrest and brought to this city. His trial came up on Friday. Mr. Meyers will ruminate upon the wickedness of this world's way until the flowers bloom in the spring. For sale—Driving and working horses. Stern & Goodman, Fullerton, Calif. jy4t2 ism for this event is already especially throughout the area. Irrigation districts need to send their best in order to some of these handsome farmers on irrigated land are preparing to forward prize grains and vegetables. Already manifested through- He was placed under arrest and brought to this city. His trial came up on Friday. Mr. Meyers will ruminate upon the wickedness of this world's way until the flowers bloom in the spring. For sale—Driving and working horses. Stern & Goodman, Fullerton, Calif. ERNARDINO FOREST RESERVE