THIRD ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART X. 579 



fires were permitted to run through the denuded area-, thus de- 

 stroying the chance of a future growth of timber. We have 

 reached such a stage in the development of our country that it 

 has become an imperative necessity to give some attention to the 

 subject of the culture of timber, a question that received consid- 

 erable attention during the early days of the agricultural society. 



But a small share of Iowa is devoted to the culture of timber. 

 There should be much larger anas in timber. The Iowa Park and 

 Forestry Association desires to increase an interest in the grow- 

 ing of trees, and it has urged both national and state legislation 

 to protect our forests for the future supply of timber. It has 

 sought for the unification of the forest work of the United States 

 government It has urged that this work be transferred to the 

 Department of Agriculture, where competent and able men can 

 look after the interest of the reserves and timber supplies. 



The Park and Forestry Association has in addition to this mis- 

 sion another one to fulfill, namely : the making of more beautiful 

 homes by the planting of trees, not only in cities and villages, 

 but in the country as well. It has urged that more time be given 

 to the subject of parking; that we have state, county and city 

 parks, which may be had without very much trouble or expense. 

 The subject is well presented in this report by the admirable ad- 

 dress of the president, Prof. T. II. Macbride. 



Yours truly, 



L. H. Pammel. 



Professor Macbride, of the State University of Iowa, then de- 

 livered the president's address on the evening of December 8, 

 as follows : 



THE PRESENT STATUS OF IOWA PARKS. 



T. H. Macbride, Iowa City, Ioiva. 



Gentlemen of the Iowa Park and Foresty Association: This society 

 may this evening well congratulate itself on the success and enthusiasm 

 of this its first anniversary. Our effort has certainly met a hearty response 

 throughout the state, and we rejoice in a very general expression of public 

 sympathy. In fact, the cause for which we stand is certain one day to 

 appeal successfully to every intelligent citizen of the state, to every 

 thoughtful man and woman who lives within its borders. 



There are thousands of us who love nature for her own sake; who 

 rejoice in the trees and streams because they are beautiful, because 



