IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 59 



proved prairie lands to perpetrate fraud. This could have 

 been avoided by proper restrictions. Notwithstanding its 

 defects, however, the law was a blessing to the prairie 

 sections of the state. Thousands of acres of artificial 

 groves which owe their existence to this law, have com- 

 pletely changed the prairie landscapes of Iowa, and the 

 results amply justified the existence of the law notwith- 

 standing the occasional frauds. It is, however, high time 

 that the comparatively worthless trees of most of these 

 groves be replaced by trees whose ultimate value is much 

 greater, and that steps be also taken to restore at least in 

 part the original forests of the state. It cannot be 

 expected that very much of the land whose value reaches 

 $100 per acre will be used for forestry purposes, but there 

 is much land, probably 15 per cent of the total area, in 

 this state which is worthless for agricultural purposes but 

 will grow trees, and this should be used for that purpose, 

 It is not, however, to be expected, for the reasons herein 

 enumerated, that much of this poorer land will be so used 

 unless some substantial recognition is given to the owners, 

 — such as release from the burdens of taxation. 



The Iowa Park and Forestry Association has recently 

 approved a bi.l which will be submitted to the Twenty- 

 ninth General Assembly which seems to meet the objec- 

 tions made to the old law, and it is here presented for 

 approval. It is believed that this is at least a step in the 

 right direction, and should be encouraged. 



For an act to encourage the planting of forest and fruit trees in the state of 



Iowa . 



Section 1 . Be it enacted by the Twenty-niuth General Assembly of the 

 State of Iowa: 



That on any tract of land in the state of Iowa the owner or owners may 

 select a permanent forest reservation not less than two acres in continuous 

 area, or a fruit tree reservation not less than one nor more than five acres 

 in area, or both, and that upon compliance with the provisions of this act 

 such owner or owners shall be eniitled to the benefits hereinafter set forth. 

 Sec. 2. A forest reservation shall contain i:ot less than two hundred 

 growing forest trees on each acre. If the area selected is an original forest 

 containing the required number of growing forest trees, it shall be accepted 



