Rensselaer Union and Jasper Republican, Volume 8, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1876 — Forests. [ARTICLE]

Forests.

The following letter, from the Chairman of the Forest Committee of the American Institute, was read before that body a few days ago. The idea of having fireproof homes for the mass of the people seems to be a very practical turn to give the iorest question, now so general ly lieing agitated in our country: Sea Grove, Cape May Co., N. J., May 10,18*8. Hon. N. C. Ely, President Farmers’ Club, American Institute, N. Y.—Dear Sir: Wo believe the subject of “Fireproof Homes” is to be recognized as a most essentially practical one in the near future. Independent of the humane and economic issues directly involved, the reduction of drain on the forest health is very soon to be recognized as an important matter. Already our views expressed on this subject, as set forth in our Paper, No. 22, read befo’e your body, have been warmly commended by some of the first architects in the country. We are confident some of our friends will soon try the experiment of erecting fireproof cottages. These cottages w ill be a success, and by their example spread the good and merciful work. That buildings literally fireproof cannot be constructed, as suggest eu by some, Is an architectural heresy. The security which it is possible to realize in the way of incombustible structures had a forcible illustration in the great fire at the Smithsonian Institution, at Washington, D. C., a few years ago. We saw this terrible conflagration raging tor hours, and almost moaned in spirit as we thought ot the loss science would sutler in the destruction of the finest collection, in point of quality, of natural history specimens on the continent. The museum section ot the building, however, was fireproof. When the smoke and flame cleared away not a feather of the rarest bird or gauzelike wing of the most delicate insect had the slightest appearance of tire upon it. Another point in construction, not suggested in No. 22, is chemical preparation of material of such portions of buildings for which wood is desirable, if not necessary. Much has already been done, and more will soon be done, to render ligneous portions of dwellings and other buildings incombustible. Yours for the forests ot our Fatherland, George May Powell.