The western wonder-land : half-hours in the western United States / by Harold Wellman Fairbanks.

  • Harold Wellman Fairbanks
Date:
1905
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The western wonder-land : half-hours in the western United States / by Harold Wellman Fairbanks. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    About a hundred miles south of the Yosemite is the Gen- eral Grant National Park. This park is of comparatively small size, but contains a group of some of the largest and finest Big Trees in the country. Still farther south there is a reserve called the Sequoia Park, which contains the largest remaining groves of the Big Trees. There are also many state parks scattered over different parts of the Union. The establishment of these parks is intended to preserve either the forests or natural scenery. The retention by the state or general government of large tracts of mountain and timber land, and of those areas which are particularly interesting on account of their natural scenery, is of the greatest importance. The tim- ber and water are preserved for the general good instead of being squandered for the enrichment of individuals. The preservation of scenic features in their original wild state is just and right, because such things add to the pleasure of out-of-door life, elevate men’s feelings, and culti- vate a love for the beautiful. The protection afforded the plant and animal life by these reserves gives a better op- portunity for studying them, and tends to foster a general interest in the welfare of living things.