49 



sion. In these exercises the pupils of our public schools should take as 

 prominent a part as possible by reading suitable poems or presenting 

 essays on vai-ious subjects connected with our trees 'and forests. 



In addition to this there should be presented to the people at these 

 gatherings a. thoroughly practical talk by some one trained in forestry 

 matters on subjects that will reach the farmers, who own ninety-seven 

 per cent, of tlie forests, and direct them in improvements and work thai 

 will result in a betterment of our forestry conditions. An effort should be 

 made to correct the prevailing impression that forestiy means the hoarding 

 of trees. It should be clearly explained that the application of proper 

 methods would result in inaugurating a system of intelligent cutting that 

 would bring to the owner the largest yearly returns without impairing his 

 investment. It should be further explained that there is no desire to re- 

 forest laud well adapted for cultivation, but rather to cover with forests 

 the vast areas of brush and waste land, that in 1893 represented thirty-five 

 per cenr. of our total acreage, and that only in this way can these tracts 

 be made profitable. 



The thoroughness with which the State is settled makes it likely that 

 this land is unfit for cultivation, and if this could be added to our perma- 

 nent forests, and these properly managed, our condition would be almost 

 satisfactory. This waste land is well scattered throughout the State, but 

 several large tracts are located in Harrison. Parke. Perry, Jackson and 

 Crawford counties, and these should, if possible, be secured l>y the State. 

 No other line of activity offers as large returns Tvith so little labor as the 

 reclaiming of these waste tracts. A little tree planting, pruning, and clear- 

 ing of worthless stock for wood to pay the cost of the work, and the pro- 

 tection of these trees from forest enemies would soon secure a forest that 

 would become, if properly managed, a permanent and paying investment. 

 An especial effort should be made to reclaim all of this land that is 

 locateil in any way to influence our streams and if possible restore to the 

 State these important factors in our prosperity. 



In some States the results from the work of arbor day have been very 

 important. In New York, last year, the day was observed in 10,251 school 

 districts, and in twelve years 229,616 trees have been planted. Our State 

 .shonld not be behind in this matter. 



The next important means by which we hope to secure a betterment 

 of our forestry conditicms is through legislation. The history of forestry 

 legislation in Indi.-uia at the opening of the last legislature was summed up 



4— Academy of Science. 



