Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

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Report of the Secretary of Agriculture in relation to the forests, rivers, and mountains of the southern Appalachian region

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  • 168 SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN REGION. It contains within the forest-covered areas no large settlements or large mining operations which would interfere with the management of such a forest reserve, and yet there is a sufficient population for the working and protection of the forests. Large lumber companies are rapidly invading the region, and the early destruction of the more valuable timber is imminent. Lands in this region suitable for such a forest reserve are now generally held in large bodies of from 50,000 to 100,000 acres, and they can be purchased at prices ranging from $2 to $5 per acre. It is probable that the average price would not exceed $3 per acre. In explanation of the widespread and urgent demand for the establishment in this southern Appalachian region of a national park or forest reserve, it may be added that it contains the highest and largest mountain masses, and perhaps the wildest and most picturesque scenery, east of the Mississippi River; that it is a region of perfect healthfulness, already largely used as a health resort both summer and winter, and that it lies within a little more than a dayT's travel of the larger portion of the population of this country. The rapid consumption of our timber supplies, the extensive destruction of our forests by fire, and the resulting increase in the irregularity of the flow of water in important streams have served to develop among the people of this country an interest in forest problems which is one of the marked features of the close of the century. In response to this growing interest the Government has set aside in the Western forest reserves an area of more than 70,000 square miles. There is not a single forest reserve in the East. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, James Wilson, Secretary. REPORT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREST RESERVATIONS AND THE PROTECTION OF GAME. [Fifty-sixth Congress, second session. Senate Calendar No. 2227. Report No. 2221.] FOREST RESERVE IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN REGION. [February 12. I901.-Report by Mr. Beveridge, from the Committee on Forest Reservations and the Protection of Game, to accompany S. 5518.] A majority of the Committee on Forest Reservations and the Protection of Game, having had under consideration the bill (S. 5518) to provide for the establishment of a national forest reserve in the Southern Appalachian Mountain region, reports the bill with the recommendation that it do pass and submits the following report- An investigation of the forests of this region, authorized by Congress at its last session, has been conducted during the past year by the Department of Agriculture, with the cooperation of the United
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Object’s are ‘parent’ level descriptions to ‘children’ items, (e.g. a book with pages).