Bernhard Fernow (1851-1923)
Background
Bernhard Fernow was born in the Prussian Province of Posen. In Prussia, Fernow spent a year in the Prussian forest service prior to studying at the University of Königsberg and the Royal Prussian Academy of Forestry at Münden(Fernow wiki). He emigrated to the Unites States in 1876 after marrying his wife Olivia Reynolds, who actively helped him in many of his later projects. In 1886, Fernow was named the third Chief of the USDA's Division of Forestry of the United States until 1898. During his time as Chief his main policy goals were the establishment of a national forest system and introduction of scientific forest management. Fernow produced many scientific reports while working toward the creation of national forests to protect watersheds. During the 1893 Chicago World's Fair Fernow helped produce forestry exhibits that helped generate public support for the establishment of a Prussian inspired national forest ssystem in the United States[1]. As the head if the USDA's Forestry Division Fernow helped create the Forest Reserve Act of 1891 and the Organic Act of 1897. After his time as Chief of the USDA's Division of Forestry, Fernow became the first dean of the New York State College of Forestry at Cornell. This was the first four-year forestry school in the United States however Fernow's time as dean of the school was not particularly fruitful. The program was shut down in 1903 by the New York State government as the program was unpopular due to its clear-cutting and the fires it caused[2][3]. Fernow is known to be called the "father of professional forestry in the United States."
Waste Places
Fernow noticed that the bulk of American papers that recommended methods for planting forests did not account for places with poor growing conditions. Fernow deemed these places "Waste Places" and these locations were typically places with inadequate soil structure or had problems with water. Fernow believed it was important to learn how to properly "forest" these areas because the interests of agriculture will ultimately confine forests to these places.
Yield of Wood and When to Cut It
According to Fernow, the weight of charcoal, if properly prepared and housed, is practically a constant factor, since most charcoal is not used fresh, but rather used after weeks when it has absorbed almost all amounts of moisture (up to 10 to 15 per cent)[4].
Notes
References
Fernow, Bernhard E. 1883. “Planting in Waste Places.” The American Journal of Forestry, January, 153–55. Fernow, Bernhard E. 1882. “The Yield of Wood and When to Cut It.” Journal of the United States Association of Charcoal Iron Workers 3 (1): 19–26.
- ↑ Twight, B.W. 1990. Bernhard Fernow and Prussian forestry in America. J For 88(2):21-25
- ↑ Charles Z. Lincoln, ed. (1910) Messages from the Governors, vol. X, Albany, p. 555, cited in Colman, Gould P. (1963) Education & Agriculture, A History of the NYS College of Agriculture at Cornell University, Cornell University Press, p.161.
- ↑ Gove, B. 2005. Logging railroads of the Adirondacks. Syracuse University Press. pp. 176-181.
- ↑ Bernhard, 1882, 21