38 FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION January 



of it has remained. And again, where such. The forests of a State or States 



are the companies and the men that should be looked upon as a blessing to 



once operated the mills in Michigan? the whole community, and its destruc- 



Gone they are to new fields to con- tion as a curse to all. Why then have 



quer ; gone are they, and their wealth a tax as at present, that drives men to 



with them. To-day many of them who cutting all the forest they own as 



still lumber the hardwoods remaining, quickly as possible in order to escape 



speak of going to Washington and the ruinous taxation? 



British Columbia, where virgin forests What use to talk to a lumber man 



still stand. If they go, their wealth or lumber company about reforesta- 



goes with them. tion, about starting nurseries, or em- 



What would have induced the oth- ploying a competent forester to look 

 ers to stay? What would cause those after the land? What use have they 

 here to remain ? A different law as to for a working plan for selection cut- 

 taxing forest land and forest products, ting ? Do you wonder that to-day 

 If we could only learn from European they make a clean cut and then go to 

 states, things would be different. new fields? It is just because they are 



I have always contended and still driven to it. 



stand for a tax on logs, or cut timber Time and tirne again I have heard it 



only, those being the product of the said that the present laws of taxation 



soil — accumulated through genera- are what have destroyed our forests so 



tions, and in this respect different quickly, and that the only party to 



from all other products of the soil, look to for reforestation is the Gov- 



No land producing forests or planted ernment, which is exempt from taxa- 



to forests should ever come into the tion. 



schedule of agricultural land. These are the views of a lumberman 



The tax on logs or forest products on the question of reforestation and 



should be a State tax and used as taxation of forest land. 



THE MONARCH OF THE WOODS 



Behold the monarch of the woods! 



The mighty old oak tree; 

 He braves the raging of the storm. 



On land or rolling sea; 

 He waves his branches decked with green 



In summer's golden glow, 

 And ivy clothes his leafless form 



Through winter's frost and snow. 

 King Time, the conqueror of all. 



He boldly does defy: 

 For green and hearty will he stand 



When ages have gone by. 



How oft the monarch of the woods. 



Upon a summer's day. 

 Has seen the merry children sport. 



And 'neath his shadows play: 

 From youth to manhood they spring up. 



And old age comes at last — 

 Then green grass waves upon their 

 graves, 



And all life's dreams are past. 

 Yet stronger grows the mighty oak 



In hale and hearty prime, 

 And stands the monarch of the woods, 



Defying age and time. 



— Anonymous. 



