FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 165 



in a fire department of a city an efficient head. It is now believed by stu- 

 dents of this subject that private owners cannot perform the duty of 

 forestry in America. We have no rich old families who, from generation 

 to generation, have been able to set apart large tracts of land for the 

 growth of trees. 



Only the government lives long enough to plant trees extensively. 

 The private individual is too constantly reminded of the fleeting charac- 

 ter of life to lay out a forest for succeeding generations. The govern- 

 ment alone can hold tracts either long enough or large enough to effect 

 the great climatic changes involved in the preservation of our forests. 

 A great step in this direction was taken in the laws providing for timber 

 reservations. The cutting of timber from such reservations should be 

 done with some system. Fires originate in a variety of ways; by sparks 

 from smoke stacks or live coals from furnaces of railroad engines; by 

 careless firing of fallows or slashings, by tramps, by campers and in 

 other ways. The most devasting fires are fed by the tree tops and other 

 materials left on the ground when the lumberman has taken what he 

 wanted. Men who cut timber on a large scale seem to persist in the 

 statement that they cannot afford to clean up this rubbish after them. 

 They leave it, even though it endangers much property in the vicinity; 

 but I have not time to compass the entire subject. A forest commission, 

 with fire wardens at least for portions of our State, should systematize 

 the work, observe the wants of the people, gather and disseminate valu- 

 able information regarding our forests. At the Agricultural College 

 we are making some experiments along this line, and it is not improbable 

 that some of the College lands may be set aside for experiments. 



Our forests are suffering today for more persons who have a keener 

 appreciation of nature, a love for trees in particular; persons who like 

 to see trees, to study them, to read about them, to admire their beauty 

 and discover their defects. We need more people who know the names 

 and peculiarities of all our trees, the structure and uses of the wood, — 

 in a word, a little more of botany and plant physiology, and more true 

 patriotism. 



What have I attempted to set before you? That it is unprofitable for 

 all citizens and the State to longer withhold means to look more thor- 

 oughly after the needs of her forests. 



After the reading of Dr. Beal's paper, the following resolution was 

 offered : 



Resolved. By the members of this Farmers' Institute, and delegates from other 

 counties and states, that we favor a law, similar to the one enacted in 1887, provid- 

 ing for a State Forestry Commission, and that we pledge ourselves to see that the 

 next legislature carry out our views on this important subject. 



Dr. Beal: I offer this resolution, not because I am fishing for a job; 

 I have my hands full now, and more too, and consequently I am the more 

 willing to offer It. 



The resolution was adopted. 



[Here followed a stereoptieon exhibition by Dr. Beal, illustrating the 

 points made in his lecture.] 



