74 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



a system of carelessness, and, we may say, thoughtlessness prevails to 

 such an extent, that it can be but a short time before the whole wood- 

 lot becomes so thinned and dwarfed, that all trees remaining are of but 

 little value, and it will soon become easy to turn it all into cleared fields. 

 No particular care is exercised in falling the mature trees so as not 

 to destroy the undergrowth. Trees of five and ten years growth are 

 cut with so little consciousness of the actual destruction, as to prove 

 the absence of any idea to encourage and save. 



The work of nature in preparing for forest perpetuation is obstructed 

 by unnecessarily clearing roads, and completely thwa,rting its object by 

 unchecked fires, and by allowing livestock to browse and crush the 

 infant oaks, hickories and maples. Because of this prevailing condi- 

 tion, it seems most necessary at the present time to create through writ- 

 ing, talking and discussing, an ambition a.nd a desire to protect and save, 

 instead of following the plan of exposure and destruction. As our 

 people are practical, we must teach that timber growth and a reasonable 

 proportionate acreage of forest is desirable for various reasons. First, 

 forests are of great value to the State, with all its varied interests, its 

 agriculture and its horticulture, through their tempering influence upon 

 moisture and temperature, besides being a constant check to the spread 

 of surface winds; through fostering springs and the sources of the little 

 brooks and streams, which after serving to water thousands of acres of 

 our meadow and pasture lands, go on to assist in making up the larger* 

 streams and rivers. These, in turn, furnish the great motive power 

 that figures in no small way to make Michigan great through its manu- 

 facturing, and its commerce. As electricity generated by water-power 

 seems destined from now on to figure very prominently in propelling 

 and lighting, the creative force by which the electric current is to be 

 supplied should be fostered, and we should pursue such a policy with 

 our forests as will maintain the sources of surface water supply. 



It may be said that the rivers will continue to flow if all lands were 

 completely cleared of timber. This may be true to a considerable ex- 

 tent, but we all can note from observation in our own time the narrow- 

 ing and shallowing of creeks and brooklets, while some have ceased to 

 flow entirely except in times of freshet. Therefore, while we cannot and 

 should not return to a primitive forest condition, we can encourage 

 such an equilibrium as will best serve the public good. As our popu- 

 lation will increase and our land will be needed for homes, and to pro- 

 duce the necessaries of life, judgment seems to again conclude that 

 as a fixed and perpetual policy of our State, the forestry question 

 should be considered chiefly from the farm and home standpoint. Living 

 as I do in the oldest part of the State, and where the lands are already 

 divided into home farms, it is but natural that I should become most 

 impressed with what can be noted in those home and farm communities. 

 Then, secondly, a reasonably proportionate acreage of forest preserve 

 on every farm is of incalculable benefit not only to the public, but also 

 to the individual farm and farmer. Since the State has been so reck- 

 lessly liberal in years gone by as to completely devastate its forest lands, 

 all building and repairing timbers are more remote from us and con- 

 sequently additions to costs naturally follow. Ideal American farms 

 must possess as a part of their equipment commodious dwellings, cattle, 

 horse, sheep, swine and poultry barns, tool houses, and a host of other 

 buildings, mostly made of wood. 



