242 



other hand, there is, on the whole, Httle appreciation of the possibility 

 and advantages of increasing the yield of forest land by proper methods 

 of treatment. Practically all of the industries dependent on local tim- 

 ber supplies are on the decline. Those using bottomland timber must 

 naturally be much restricted, since they get their raw material from a 

 forest type which is not permanent. Those using upland timber suffer 

 because of the depletion of the supply and the unnecessarily low pro- 

 duction. The present output of forest products, amounting in 1909 to 

 approximately one hundred and fifteen million board feet of saw- 

 timber alone, can not be maintained unless better methods of forest 

 management are instituted. 



In view of these conditions, it is recommended that the state adopt 

 a progressive forest policy to be administered through a nonpartisan 

 Board of Forestry and a technically trained State Forester. The chief 

 features of this policy should be : ( i ) the adoption of an adequate state 

 fire-protection system, providing for forest firewardens in those coun- 

 ties where this seems desirable; (2) the inauguration of an educational 

 campaign with the object of spreading the knowledge of scientific and 

 practical forest management; and (3) further investigation of the 

 problems involved in developing and extending Illinois woodlands. 

 Such a policy is embodied in the following proposed forest law. 



A PROPOSED FOREST LAW 



An Act to create a State Board of Forestry, to promote the Forest 

 Interests of tJie State, and to appropriate money therefor. 



Section i. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 

 represented in the General Assembly: That there shall be a State 

 Board of Forestry consisting of the five following members : the 

 President of the University of Illinois, the Dean of the College of 

 Agriculture of the University of Illinois, the Director of the Illi- 

 nois State Laboratory of Natural History, the President of the State 

 Farmers' Institute, and one citizen of the State known to be interested 

 in the advancement of forestry, who shall be appointed by the Gov- 

 ernor, to serve for a period of five years. This board shall meet at 

 least twice each year. The members shall receive no compensation, 

 except the necessary expenses incurred in attending the meetings of 

 the board. 



Section 2. There shall be appointed by the State Board of 

 Forestry a State Forester, who shall have a practical knowledge of 

 forestry, and who shall be a technically trained forester. His salary 

 shall be fixed by the board, and he shall receive besides, reasonable 

 traveling and field expenses incurred in the performance of his official 

 duties. He shall be provided with a suitable office at the University 



