122 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



FORESTEY BULLETIN. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Bulletin 162. 



The forests of Michigan have been one of the c-hief sources of the wealth of her 

 citizens. The vast tracts of white pine that once covered the central and northern 

 portions of the lower half of the state and nearly the whole of the upper peninsula 

 were fully ripe and ready for harvest in those decades in which the trees fell by 

 the woodsman's ax. This harvest has been well nigh completed, until today the 

 areas covered with woods are no more measured by square miles but by acres. 

 The influences of the cutting of the forests are felt in the spring freshets and sum- 

 mer disappearance of streams that used to be even in volume and perennial in flow, 

 and in climatic changes that are hostile to the growing of crops. 



In what parts of the lower peninsula were the original forests found? Where 

 are the standing forests of the present daj^ and what is their extent? What is the 

 present condition and the possible future of the denuded areas? What is the 

 I'elation of the forests to meteorological conditions? Can these stump lands be 

 reforested and how? Judging from the legislation in other states, may laws be 

 passed and enforced that shall aid in protecting existing and proposed forest areas 

 from fire and vandalism? 



It is to answer these and iucidently many other questions that this bulletin is 

 issued. It is true, past all question, that if fire and domestic live stock can be kept 

 out of the more fertile sections of the area once covered with pine and hardwoods, 

 nature, left to herself, would in time cover them with a new and valuable growth 

 of trees. Aided by the hand of the trained forester she will accomplish the end 

 much sooner and will provide a forest much better suited to the wants of man. 



Legislation aimed at the prevention of forest fires can be enforced no farther 

 than it is supported by public opinion. Public opinion is a matter of education. It 

 is hoped that this bulletin may be helpful in calling attention to the needs of 

 forestry in this state on the one hand and to what is being done in other states for 

 the preservation of forests on the other. 



CLINTON D. SMITH, 



Director. 



