PRESERVATION OF TIMBER.
Mr. CABBAGE offered a resolution instructing the Ways and Means Committee to inquire what modification of our revenue laws, by the exemption timbered lands from taxation, would be calculated to promote the public welfare and report by bill or otherwise. The preamble of the resolution recites that scientific investigation and actual experience justified the opinion that the growth of forest trees and the preservation of wood lands are of the highest climatic and sanitary importance, and that the rapid decline in our timbered area, now nearly 12 per cent. of the original growth, is sufficient cause for public concern, and that it is the duty of the State to encourage the preservation of the timber. In his remarks upon the resolution. Mr. Cabbage stated that the denuding of hill sides of the trees had dried up the surface springs and rendered valueless large tracts of country. He also stated that fences were an expensive luxury, and advised ditching instead as tending to improve soil. "The want of today," said Mr. Cabbage, "is not more land to cultivate, but wiser cultivation." He read from manuscript a statement setting forth the necessity of encouraging the growth of timber in this State, both to agricultural and climatic improvement, etc.
On motion by Mr. THOMPSON, the resolution and the paper read was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. NEFF made an ineffectual effort to refer the resolution and manuscript to the Committee on Agriculture.
