SIXTY-FIVE PER CENT AGRICULTURAL SOIL 405 



and then abandon his farmstead and he our barren and partially barren lands, 

 becomes the subject of severe criticism; we could look for and experience a 

 is given no sympathy; is accused of constant improvement, and constant 

 laziness, shiftlessness and a poor man- betterment of conditions, and we would 

 ager; of being unworthy of the title experience further the feeling of a 

 "Farmer." But can we not apply all worthy accomplishment. If this area 

 of these criticisms to the timbermen were placed under strict forest man- 

 who have reduced the forests with no agement, values would begin to accrue 

 attempt to reproduce it; who have re- from the moment a proper stand of 

 moved valuable property from the tax young timber was established and with- 

 lolls, leaving in its stead a fire trap and in very few years our unmarketable 

 menace which must constantly threaten plains lands, now unsightly and unde- 

 all neighboring investments. That such sirable, would have a sale value and be 

 methods of harvest have characterized in commercial demand, 

 the utilization of our forests to date is Since our forest soils are diversified 

 indisputable. Let us admit that there in character, and timber seeks the soil 

 is a vast area capable of producing the in which it is best adapted, our forests 

 crop which is the basis of our activities would show diversified species, which 

 now lying idle. Let us admit, further, again would best serve the needs of our 

 that we are collectively responsible for peninsula. Pine would grow where 

 a large percentage of this unproductive they should and hardwoods on the soil 

 area. I say "we" advisedly, meaning of greater strength, 

 those timbermen of our Peninsula both The Northern Forest Protective As- 

 past and present who have taken wealth sociation is endeavoring to protect the 

 from the woods and have left poverty holdings of its members from fire and 

 to posterity. trespass. Could we not well undertake 



Admitting our share of responsibility the discouragement of clear cutting on 



for the conditions which exist upon absolute forest soil and the rehabilita- 



three and one-half million acres of for- tion of its already stripped areas, do- 



est soil, or upon that portion which has nating our services in this manner to 



not been cut over, have we not a duty the common good? Can we not adopt 



to perform to those who will follow us some forceful measure which will be 



as citizens of this great forest common- the beginning of an attempt to procure 



wealth. and perpetually maintain for the Upper 



Given a huge fortune and the means Peninsula of Michigan 3,500,000 acres 



of creating a reasonable and permanent of productive forests ? We need the 



interest should we not perpetuate this forest covering for climatic reasons ; we 



asset and leave it as an inheritance to need the covering to ally erosion and to 



those who are entitled to share the increase soil fertility; we need the cov- 



pleasures which have been showered ©ring to protect the game and the game 



upon us. birds of our forests and we need the 



Were proper rules adopted for those timber. But the greatest need is that 



stands of timber which now stock our spirit of fair play which demands that 



poorer soils, the conditions would not when a wrong has been done, a repara- 



grow worse. Were reasonable precau- tion be made. Let us lay the corner 



tion against fire, coupled with the en- stone of the greatest public forest in 



couragement of natural seeding distri- the world by lending our aid in tl-e up- 



bution and occasional artificial plant- building and maintenance of the 



ing of fail places, put into practice over "'worthless third." 



MRS. WILDER'S ARTICLE 



The interesting article entitled "A Famous Old Tree" in the May number of American 

 Forestry ivas by Mrs. Anna A. Wilder of Washington, D. C, who is shortly to bring out 

 a book entitled '"Message of the Trees." Mrs. Wilder is the vice-president of the League 

 of American Pen Women. 



