ORIGINS OF SANTA ROSA LIVE OAK RESERVATION DESCRIBED

Alabama Conservation, to be published monthly by the Alabama Department of Conservation as a Successor to Alabama Fish & Game News, made its appearance in November under editorship of Neilsen B. O'Rear, formerly state editor of The Montgomery Advertiser. The new journal will be devoted to state park, forest, and wildlife activities.

One of the most interesting articles of the first number, "First Reforestation Effort Started in South to Provide Sturdy Timbers for U. S. Warships." describes the origins of the naval live oak reservation which is adjacent to Santa Rosa Island National Monument, at Pensacola, Florida. It is not claimed that the Santa Rosa area was the first live oak reservation, but it is considered probable that the first national attempt at reforestation and forest management was made off Pensacola.

"John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States and known as the 'tree planting Mr. Adams,'" the article explains, "fostered the work which was undertaken on the peninsula of Santa Rosa which juts out into Pensacola Bay. He knew what sea power meant to a nation and what the forest in that day meant to a sea power; he comprehended full well the problem that oak for sail o' the line presented. Passionately patriotic, Mr. Adams wanted the dignity and honor of America upheld throughout the world. During his service as Secretary of State, he negotiated with Spain the treaty under which Florida, noted for its live oaks, was ceded to the United States. He knew the value of a powerful fleet when the Monroe Doctrine was enunciated, for pronouncements of that sort are ineffective unless there is force behind them.

"When Mr. Adams became President, one of the first acts of his administration was the establishment in 1826 of a navy yard at Pensacola central to the live oak region. On January 12 of the following year Delegate White arose in Congress and moved "to enquire into the expediency of forming plantations for the rearing of live oak for the future supply of that timber for the Navy of the United States." The President had already issued orders that acorns of the live oaks should be planted wherever possible at the new navy yard. Across Pensacola Bay from the navy yard lay Santa Rosa peninsula which for the most part was public land. The President had it withdrawn from entry and persuaded Congress to have him the necessary legislative authorization to grow and experiment with the live oak. Thus was established late in 1828 the first forest experiment station in America."

After Judge Henry M. Brackenridge, of Pensacola, a botanist of some note, had been placed in charge and work was begun, there were differences of opinion concerning the desirability of planting acorns, but the President commented: ". . . the natural history of the live oak has not yet been duly observed. Among my reasons for desiring that a considerable plantation of them should be raised from the acorn is, that their growth to maturity may be observed, and perhaps a better knowledge of then be obtained." Accordingly, acorns were planted, wild seedlings transplanted, and natural growth was given cultural treatment.

"When the administration changed and a new President came into office," continues Alabama Conservation, "there was considerable political opposition which resulted in the Secretary of the Navy serving notice on Judge Brackenridge that the work at Santa Rosa was going to terminate January 19, 1831, two years after it had been commenced. That marks the end of Santa Rosa as a forestral experiment. Under later secretaries a little clearing was done under direction of the naval officers attached to the Pensacola Naval Yard, but the object was merely to preserve the improvements made under Judge Brackenridge. Ex-President Adams was bitter over the turn of events for he wrote in his diary:

"'The malicious pleasure of destroying everything of which I had planted the germ and the base purpose of representing as wasteful prodigality the most useful and most economical expenditures are the motives that act upon the Secretary of the Navy and the present administration. The plantation both of young trees growing when I commended it and those from acorns which I had caused to be planted is now in a condition as flourishing as possible and more than 100,000 live oaks are growing upon it.'

"We do not know what future historians may say about the good works of President Roosevelt," the article concludes, "but should they fail to mention the militant stand taken by the President for the conservation of our natural resources, the oversight may be readily forgiven, for his memory will be inscribed on our living trees as is that of the tree planting Mr. Adams, for believe it as you will, remnants of the live oak trees planted under his direction still rear their heads to the heavens with numerous offspring ready to take their place in the sun when the forest trees succumb to old age and the ravages of the elements."

NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY ISSUES BULLETIN

The Natchez Trace Parkway Bulletin, a neat four-page multilithed folder, has been launched by the national parkway which is to follow the ancient route connecting Natchez, Mississippi, and Nashville, Tennessee. The purpose of the new bulletin, says the first issue, is "to tell something of the history of the Natchez Trace, explain the policies to be followed in its development and use, and discuss other matters of mutual interest to our neighbors and to us. Some of the matters which will be discussed in early issues are protection; fire, its prevention and suppression; access problems; and the leasing of parkway lands.

Three brief articles in the bulletin trace the historical background of the famous route, explain the major differences between a conventional highway and a protected parkway, and give a summary of the progress and status of construction and development. The first grading and drainage contract was let in 1936 to provide for an initial 12-mile stretch. Since that time an additional 35 miles have been graded, and another 30-mile link is under construction. A stretch of 25 miles just north of Jackson will be opened to use soon.

An interesting feature of the bulletin will be a series of illustrations (see accompanying drawing) showing the distinctive hairdress styles of the various Southern Indian tribes.