File:Areas of desolation in Pennsylvania (microform) (1915) (20334072535).jpg

Title: Areas of desolation in Pennsylvania (microform)
Identifier: areasofdesolatio01roth (find matches)
Year: 1915 (1910s)
Authors: Rothrock, Joseph T. , 1839-1922
Subjects: Forests and forestry; Reforestation; Waste lands
Publisher: Philadelphia : Herbert Welsh
Contributing Library: Penn State University
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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y y y. y :? 0 J 'J 2i > f- :f; r^ — 25 The lumber industry in Pennsylvania has so long passed its best period and been on the wane that it may be said to have ceased as a dominant industry. Here and there a considerable operation exists, nearing its end, but even of these only a few remain. Not only has the extended forest area disappearc^d, but the individual maximum sized tree has become so rare that mention of the diameters of those occasionally found half a century ago excites expression of a doubt. For example, a chestnut tree having, at breast- height," a circumferencc^ of 27^2 "^^^'^'^ ^^^ ^^'^^^^^^ P^^^^'^ six feet in diameter, standing in the virgin forest; or the white oak still growing near Kutztown, HiM'ks Count V, Pa. (facing this page), 31 feet in eircumference at base of trunk, 74 feet high; limbs spread over 104 feet. In connection witli the newly started doctrine of con- servation, which has taken hold of the nation so iirmly, this waste land merits consideration. Money, in- dustry, and whatever other elements of national prosperity entered into hnnbermg disappeared with the timber upon which they depended. Nothing took the place of the lumber industry. It was simi)ly hlotted out. This, of course, was unfortunate, but the worst feature was that the soil was practically abandoned and allowed to become, in many instances, not only hopelessly sterilcN but an actual nursery of disaster, a source of danger to the productive i)ortions of the State. We propiTly condc^mn use of coal, which i.- non- restoral)l(\ wIhmi it is made to do the work of water- power, which IS returned to us again and again for use, but what shall we say concerning a pohcy of soil WiWil^^iWi SECOND EXPOSURE

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