Roosevelt High School - Bwana Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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EVJENEI feet will be produced under this system annually. As the forest overcomes the damage wrought by the years of mismanagement before the establishment of it as a national forest, the yearly output can be increased. The sale of timber brings in about 590,000 each year, part of which is used by the state for roads and schools and part by the Forest Service to carry out its work. Grazing is allowed, though controlled to prevent damage to the forest. The 20,000 head of cattle and 40,000 head of hogs that graze in this section during the summer months would, at fifty-six cents and forty-three cents a head respectively produce a revenue of 537,000 for roads and other purposes. ln the Ozark National Forest are two rivers, both of which are tributaries of the Mississippi, the White River and the Arkansas Riverg these are, in turn, fed by smaller streams. Without the protection of the forests and its fallen leaves, the soil would be eroded and robbed of its fertility. The rainfall is comparatively heavy, sufficient to cause irreparable damage to lands. Uncon- trolled, this water carries off the fertile soil and deposits it in rivers and blocks them. Trees can retard water in various ways. The leaves of all trees give off vapor. This the wind collects and condenses into water which later falls as rain. The leaves on the ground absorb much rain and permit it to soak into the earth instead of running off immediately to the rivers. Without this retardation, the water would run to the rivers and cause floods, which, in turn, cause food shortage and loss of money. ln winter, the trees keep the snow from melting. On the rivers and their tributaries about the forest are many hydro-electric plants for which, by this retardation, a steady stream is assured. The forest is valuable in many other ways. ln the forest is located a game preserve in which no hunting is allowed. The forest provides homes for birds and animals and protects them from cold. ln the Ozark region, as well as over the whole world, there are sand or earth dunes. These dunes ,ruin as much as eighty feet of land a year as it is unsuited for vegetation after the dune has passed. The forest holds back these dunes and helps restore to fertility those lands over which the dunes have passed, for the leaves from the trees fall to the ground and enrich the soil. The forests have a great effect on temperature. ln winter, they cut down wind velociy and prevent terrific snowstorms with the result that the winters in the Ozarks are comparatively warm. The ranger of the forest recommends places for the building of roads and trails and sections that should be kept open to the public as places of recreation. These parts are chosen for their beauty and their recreational facilities. Lookouts are provided to detect forest fires. The ranger establishes stations in which materials for fighting fires are kept. As a result of his knowledge of fire-fighting methods and with the aid of fire-combating materials, fires are destroying only a relatively small part of the forest. The ranger may also recommend game laws and regulations. Twenty-five

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EWEHH THE OZARK NATIONAL FOREST AND GAME PRESERVE HE Ozark National Forest and Game Preserve takes its name from the Ozark Mountains in which it is located. It is in the high plateau rising from the central plains of Arkansas, about a hundred miles west of the Mississippi, on the watersheds of the Arkansas and the White Rivers and extends for an area of 334,937 acres. The forest was set aside in l908 by the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture and is managed by it as a protection to the watersheds, a timber farm, a home for animals and birds, and a beautiful place of recreation. Settlement in the Ozark region began in earnest in 1820 and was well under way by l844. To the early settlers, the forests were a hindrance as Well as a necessity. The forest supplied firewood, building materials, and game. There were a few roads through the forest, but these were mere paths. This lack of roads made people cut only the best timber as it was not worth while to take a poor piece through the forest. ln the forest were bears and wolves that made frequent raids on the settlers' cattle and endangered the lives of unarmed persons, for this reason, the forest seemed more of a detri- ment than a benefit, and the settlers resorted to burning to get rid of it. ln order to provide a uniform supply and quality of timber and to prevent the depletion of the forest, good roads, communication, and control of fires were needed. The Ozark National Forest is in charge of the District Forester at Wash- ington, D. C. The Forest Supervisor, who has direct charge of this tract, has his office in Russellville, Arkansas. I-le has a staff of four assistants. The Ozark National Forest is divided into four ranger districts with headquarters in Mountain View, Hector, Coswell, and Cass, respectively. The Ranger is responsible for the management of his district. l-le patrols the forest and acts as a policeman by enforcing rules and regulations in regard to grazing and timber sales, he must also look out for fires. The Forest Service has under its care 334,937 acres with a value of 53,500,000 at present, the salable timber amounts to 443,000,000 board feet. Under the plan of the Forest Service all young trees are left, and only mature or defective trees are cut. It is estimated that 18,000,000 board Twenty-four amz.,

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EWEHH The ranger of the Ozark National Forest in making his rounds marks trees for logging. He weeds out trees much in the same manner that a gardener weeds his garden, as some trees are useless. There are weed trees that use up the soil and keep the useful trees from growing properly. There are some that grow so close to others that all are too crowded to grow properly and are, therefore, small. These trees are called wolf trees. The ranger must supervise the setting out of trees as planting too close tends to cause tall trunks of small diameter, and planting of trees too far apart tends to make short trunks covered with branches. The lumber from either of these two types of trees has a low market value. i'After the earth, the forest is the most useful natural resource available to man. It sustains and regulates streams, moderates wind velocity, beautifies the country, and safeguards against Hoods. A deeper study of our wood- lands would lead people to appreciate the value of the forest and also realize that the forest-ranger does much for the welfare of the country. JOHN MILOSEVICH I X! f FOREST PRAY R By cz green-shadowed pool of the creek, I sit, Humble, Come to seek The peace of soul tha! quiet waters give. Hold my soul in cool embrace Until Strengtlvened I can once more face The tangled skein of life I live. -Grace Lee Jones Term5 ' ' ',' ' lj 1 5 if vga Z ' e y X I f.-to f 4 X l Twenty-six