60 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



attempt to revolutionize present methods of lumbering but rather to 

 modify them. 



Cooperating with the forest commission, the bureau of forestry this 

 summer made a study of the conditions on the State forest reserve. Upon 

 this study it will base recommendations for the management of the 

 reserve. The most difficult and essential task was to devise a practical 

 system of tire protection. It is believed that with an efficient fire service 

 such protection is feasible. With this protection the conditions for 

 natural reproduction are promising. 



Experimental tree planting is warranted only in combination with 

 successful tire protection and natural reproduction. 



4. Undoubtedly the largest single problem before the commission is 

 the reforestation of the pine stump lands. These lands include the very 

 poorest lands of the State. Within the general area is much that is 

 suitable for agriculture but the bulk is properly forest land, and as such 

 it is a better investment for the State. It is preempted to some small 

 extent, but it is impossible that it should be settled up for many years if 

 ever. 



The only serious obstacle to the natural reforestation of stump land 

 is fire. The fire problem is exceedingly difficult. A successful and 

 economical state policy of fire protection is the most difficult and impor- 

 tant side of the whole forestry problem. Our agents were strongly 

 impressed with the feasibility of economical fire protection under a right 

 organization of the commissioner's own agents for conditions as they 

 found them on the State forest reserve in Roscommon and Crawford 

 counties. Satisfactory fire protection under any organization of local 

 town officers seems exceedingly doubtful. The need of fire protection is 

 pressing, for every year conditions are less and less favorable for natural 

 reproduction, the necessity of planting greater and greater. Older lum- 

 bering left few seed trees; recent lumbering has often left none at all. 

 The few seed trees are disappearing before wind, fire and theft. 



5. Of no less importance are scientific investigations upon the con- 

 dition of logged lands. They are urgently required for the light they will 

 throw upon the proper management and the future of these lands. Soil 

 and botanical surveys would furnish reliable data as to what could and 

 could not be attempted with the improvement of natural growths. Thus 

 a detailed study of certain representative areas of waste land in Roscom- 

 mon county was made this summer with a view of determini-ng the char- 

 acter of reproduction and sequence of species following destructive 

 lumbering and fire, the value of worthless species as nurses aiding the 

 encroachment of commercial tree species. 



6. Taxation of stumpage has done immense harm in the past and is 

 still doing great harm. The right solution lies probably in the abolish- 

 ment of all taxes except the cutting tax. 



Trespass has probably been the cause of more loss to the State than all 

 other causes mentioned. At present it is better policy not to stir up 

 opposition by the too rigid enforcement of the trespass laws. 



