PKOCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 129 



" Dear Sir: My attention has been called lately by a trip to Europe and by conver- 

 -aations, to the art of forestry. This company has many thousand acres of hard-wood 

 lands in this upper peninsula, and is cutting them off in the usual reckless manner, 

 regardless of the future. I would like to investigate whether it would pay us to adopt 

 regular forestry methods. Will you kindly refer me to some practical books or pam- 

 phlets on this subject, which would contain actual reports of forest workings on this 

 plan, so that I would get at the actual facts from experience, as well as familiarize 

 myself with the principles of the art? Again, do you know of any one competent to 

 'fill the position of forester for a large estate like ours, or whom I could consult, as with 

 a consulting engineer? " 



"Dear Sir: Thanks for your letter and for the report of the State Forestry Com'- 

 mission, which I have read with interest. I would say that one cause for the indiffer- 

 ence manifested is that so much of the forests belong to non-residents, who are desir- 

 • ous of realizing quick cash returns. Stronger legislation would touch them. I shall 

 gladly speak to others on this subject, and would also cooperate for a state commission, 

 I shall be pleased to hear from you on these matters whenever you are inclined to 

 write and have suggestions to impart. 



Lectures, illustrated, by competent people on this matter would, I think, aid much 

 in arousing interest. Are there any such lecturers available? " 



These letters show that the people of our state have now and then a 

 little thought of our forests. Late in December, I received a letter from 

 the U. S. department of agriculture, division of forestry, as follows : 



" Sir: This office has been charged to formulate a bill for the action of congress, 

 looking to increased facilities for the study of forestry in this country, the intimation 

 being that the agricultural colleges should institute or enlarge their courses in that 

 direction. 



I am desirous, before making any suggestions, to ascertain how far forestry courses 

 are carried on at present, and also to hear the opinions of the gentlemen who are con- 

 cerned in this matter. 



Will you be kind enough to give me replies to the subjoined questions? I must ask 

 you kindly to do so without delay, as the time given for the formulation of the bill is 

 very short and I wish to adapt it as far as possible to what appears practicable to the 

 institutions concerned. 



Respectfully, 



B. F. Fernow, Chief. 



1. Is your institution giving any instructions in forestry (time alloted and subjects 

 treated)? Outline of the courses offered. 



2. Who gives the instructions, how prepared, and by what classes attended; obliga- 

 tory or elective? 



3. How long has the course been given and how many have attended? 



4. Have you in connection with the college or experiment station, either woods that 

 could be used for object lessons, or lands planted to forest, and how large, or are 

 there forests in the vicinity that can be used to illustrate principles? 



5. How, in your opinion, is it practicable to extend the course by congressional aid 

 or otherwise? " 



February 6, 1895, Hon. A. T. Linderman of the Michigan house of 

 representatives presented a bill which had for its object the study and 

 care of our state forests, both the lands that have never been sold and 

 those reverting to the state after the best timber has been removed. This 

 is a move in the right direction. 



Since writing the above, the state board of agriculture, after a few 

 gentle hints from the professor of forestry, decided to vote to cut no more 

 of the woods at the Agricultural college, where there is still left, in a more 

 or less depleted condition, perhaps 150 acres, Movement is to be made at 

 once toward making these acres of timber models of their kind. Different 

 portions will be treated in different ways, to serve as object lessons. 

 17 



