Erysimium, all stealing their brilliant hues from the rays of an intense sunlight?

Once I heard an unlettered miner, enthusiastic over the beauties of a snowy range nook, where Myosotis, Silene, Phlox, Gilia, Saxifraga, and Sedum Sibbaldia gemmed the rocks, none over an inch high,exclaim: "I'll be dog-goned if them ain't dandies!"-his most hyperbolical expression of their minute beauty. Creeping under the trees, or gemming the green moss, the Twin Flower (Linnea borealis), the Kinnikinnick, the several Pyrolas, Moneses with perfume perfectly indescribable, the Ladies' Slipper, the Dudecatheon, lovely Calypso borealis, the red Geum, with hosts of Gentians, Pediculares, Calthas and dwarf Kalmias, to be appreciated must be seen in their native habitat, a good setting for this miniature garden.

When, however, we reach in a Rocky mountain forest the limit of tree growth, a limit which varies over 1600 feet according to location of slope, in reference to the sun, and to prevailing winds, we find far above the present limits in numerous places the decayed remnants of former forests that extended higher than present rules, while whole groves of firs and Canada Balsams uprear their ancient moss-covered summits at the limit of tree growth, yet scarcely one sapling is found a straggler in the ancestral shade.

This, we confess, we cannot satisfactorily explain, unless we assume that a slow movement of elevation is still going on in the lofty ranges of our Nevada. Either this, or a slow lowering of yearly and winter temperature, which would accompany increased elevation, may account for this phenomenon.

This narrative in truth gives the impressions that twenty-five years ago could be all experienced in a two days' trip. Today, alas, the forest primeval is fast disappearing. The picture I have attempted to trace of the peculiar features then seen in these secluded nooks and valleys has undergone changes in many of them that are the fell destructive results of fire and the wasteful destruction of the itinerant sawmill-the meanest and least defensible, dishonest occupation that anyone can undertake where, under color of settlement, valuable timber, the property of the nation, is taken for the sordid gain of one to the detriment of thousands, with its accompaniment of forest fires intentionally kindled to burn the refuse timber left after log

ging, in order to reach more timber to purloin from the public domain. Can our Representatives stand by and look on, and give no remedy for this public wrong, which, in its future influence on cultivation and water supply, is ruinous and disastrous? One hour's work can destroy a valuable tree which takes a full half century to grow, and one forest fire destroys the vegetative power of a given area that a century cannot restore.

CO-OPERATIVE FORESTRY.

By GEORGE B. JAMES, Boston, Massachusetts.

The true preservation of the forests lies in conserving their growth, utilizing mature and marketable products, and in a management which shall secure a proper rotation of valuable trees, and an annual income, permanent in character.

Individual ownership of woodlands is the bane of American forestry. In the old world the preservation of the forests is considered one of the first interests of society, and consequently one of the first duties of government. With us our republican form of government has not yet assumed that paternal character which would guard the forests, conserve the rain-fall, and modify the climate.

Rational forestry demands methods covering generations, far-reaching, comprehensive-beyond the limits of a single generation. The policy of the individual in dealing with tree growth requiring a century or two for maturity is apt to be narrow, wasteful and short-sighted. His selfish interests or necessities demand an immediate slaughter of all the forest growth under his control. Either his experience or his education determine that one crop from his forest area is all he seeks. He is then willing to abandon his land, or sell it for a mere song.

Co-operative ownership of forest areas secures permanency, methodical work, with results beneficial alike to the community, as well as to the individual.

An object-lesson in forestry is needed by present owners of woodlands. They need to see an exemplification of proper methods. They have much to learn in the wise management, proper cutting and maintenance of subsequent growths of their wooded areas. In the era of forest abundance it seemed unnecessary to the average lumberman to give any thought to future supplies. Approaching scarcity and advancing values render them willing listeners to the gospel of rational forestry. A few co-operative ownerships of forest areas, managed with intelligence, and inspired by public spirit, would work like leaven in lifting the whole industry from the slough of waste and improvidence to the higher plane of intelligence and remuneration. The present generation of lumbermen should be taught that there is a better way to utilize their forest areas than that which they have employed in the past.

Co-operative ownership and management of forest lands are well exemplified in the workings of several clubs in the Adirondack Mountains. Here pleasure and profit have combined in showing proper methods in utilizing forest products. The original investments in the stock of these clubs have been largely augmented by increasing values. Such operations have done much to attract the attention of the general public to the value of associated effort in the ownership of forest lands. Preservation of forests must come about largely by the absolute purchase of lands either by nation, State or associated capital. Public policy dictates the conservation of the forests; yet we have no national or State laws which enforce such a policy. Hence for the present we must depend upon co-operative work and ownership in this important matter. Public-spirited citizens are banded together in associated effort for the health, morals and progress of the community. Similar plans of cooperative work are necessary in setting examples of effective forestry practice. The public is fast coming to understand the importance of the forests in the nation's economy. The next step must be to unite patriotic citizens in the good work of their preservation.

Here and there a wealthy individual devotes time and money in the establishment of a park, preserve or forest reservation. The example is good, and stimulates further development on similar lines. More effective work may be accomplished

through the voluntary contributions of one hundred or one thousand associates, whose aggregate subscriptions may be sufficient to buy one thousand or five thousand acres of available and accessible forest lands, to exhibit the teachings of intelligent forestry. It ought not to be difficult to secure the active co-operation of five thousand individuals out of a population of 70,000,000 people.

No class of property is more attractive at present cost, none more certain to advance in future value, than forest lands. American forest lands are now selling at prices far below European values, and yet the consumption of forest products in this country is many times greater than that abroad. We are already engaged in the rapid slaughter of the last half of our original forest areas. In the old world forest lands are selected by rich families as entailments. Future generations will profit by these wise investments.

The immense increase of wealth points to a higher range of values in real property, and consequently to diminished income. The attention of wealthy men should be called to the desirable nature of investments in well-selected woodlands in this country. Associated effort has developed our railroads, canals, mines, navigation and manufactures. Corporations are absorbing individual industries, thereby cheapening production, increasing the output and placing many important articles of daily use within the reach of men of moderate income. Fierce competition is reducing profits to the smallest percentage. There is need of other fields to conquer, and investors are looking about to seek investments which promise security and income. Would that the forest products of the country could be grown and handled and manufactured with the same capital, skill and method as prevails in the cultivation of cotton, wool, sugar, and their subsequent conversion into products for almost universal consumption!

No other industry has received so little attention at the hands of associated capital as the ownership and care of our forests, and yet none presents a better field to the investor. Its products are staple, necessary and salable; its growth under proper conditions continuous and remunerative. Ripe trees are beyond immediate competition, as their mature growth demands a hundred years or more. New uses for forest products are

developing; the demand for wood pulp and paper alone consuming half of all the spruce cut in the country. Managed with skill and care, our forests would yield double the present harvest in a term of years. Intelligent ownership, backed with sufficient capital, would give our American forests such a money value as to present one of the most tempting investments within present reach of co-operative desire. Co-operation in forest ownership would make available men of the highest skill, education and experience, as managers, the most improved machinery and transportation facilities for marketing forest products. In all these ways co-operative effort would have the advantage over individual operations, hampered by insufficient means, inferior machinery, and uneducated managers.

The establishment of clubs, Alpine societies, forestry associations and co-operative ownerships of our most important mountain forests will prove healthful, remunerative and patriotic. Around such an organization would crystallize a mighty movement, which would eventually influence State and national legislation, guardianship and ownership. A healthful public sentiment needs to be created in forest matters. This sentiment must have a rallying point in practical work, associated ownership and visible results.

Our forestry associations should not confine their important work alone to the spoken word and the printed page. Too much dependence has been placed upon the sentimental side of this question. This is all important at the start, but soon loses its convincing power in the minds of practical men, without some display of actual results. Without some plan of co-operative ownership eloquent protests against present forest management are all in vain. The force of example is most potent. Our forestry associations must show the courage of their convictions in the ownership of even limited areas of woodlands.

Let us imagine the power and influence which the American Forestry Association could exert if, in addition to its present valuable work, it could formulate and secure the subscriptions of thousands of public-spirited investors in co-operative holdings of forest lands. Such an important work is worthy the careful consideration of the association. Let it systematically seek subscriptions from citizens of every State in the Union, and let an appeal be made to the leading citizens of our Repub