File:American forestry (1910-1923) (17957055318).jpg

Title: American forestry
Identifier: americanforestry201914amer (find matches)
Year: 1910-1923 (1910s)
Authors: American Forestry Association
Subjects: Forests and forestry
Publisher: Washington, D. C. : American Forestry Association
Contributing Library: The LuEsther T Mertz Library, the New York Botanical Garden
Digitizing Sponsor: The LuEsther T Mertz Library, the New York Botanical Garden

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Text Appearing Before Image:
OUR MOUNTAIN MEADOWS 413
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A Stream-Side Meadow. HERE THE INVASION IS WELL ADVANCED AND THE YOUNG GROWTH OK TREES THICK AND HARDY. only been within the last twenty years or less that sheep grazing on the Park has been effectively stopped. It is sig- nificant that the jungles now growmg up in the meadows are all less than twenty years old. There can be no question as to the facts. They are patent to any observer. The remedy is less clear. The fact, however, that the sheep herders pre- vented the change that is now in prog- ress shows that the problem can be solved. Their method was, however, a wasteful one. Not only were the seedlings in the meadows destroyed by their fires. 1)ut the yotmg trees through- out the l)urned-over areas of the forests, and many a full-grown tree as well. The cost to the forest was far greater than the good to the meadows. There is, however, one way that might prove feasible. Each year several hundred soldiers are stationed about the Park as a patrol. They register and control the movements of campers, and are expected to prevent cattle and sheep from being herded into the Park, as well as to prevent or extinguish forest iires. Now if this band of soldiers can be set to work with brush scythes and axes, trimming out the meadows, a great deal of good will result. Two or three seasons of such attention will easily restore the meadows to their former state, and a little work each year will keep them in good condition. If we are not willing to have the sol- diers work, then a force of forest rangers should be given the task of keeping the meadows open. Whatever it costs in trouble or money, we should see to it that this Park of ours—the best rind most w^onderful camp ground in this country—is not allowed to lose its public usefulness and charm. The meadows, once gone completely, can never be restored.

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