CURRENT LITERATURE. 



Henry S. Graves, in Charge. 



Report of the State Forester of Wisconsin for ipo? and ipo8. 

 Madison, Wis. Pp. jjj. 



This report shows State forest reserves to the extent of some 

 250,000 acres being administered on an annual appropriation of 

 less than $10,000. The policy behind the establishment of these 

 reserves appears to be more the protection of headwaters of rivers 

 for the conservation of water power than the conservation 

 of timber lands. The state forester points out that as a 

 lumbering state Wisconsin's power is fast waning, and 

 that it must look to its manufacturing interests. In keeping 

 with this, an act was passed authorizing a private company to con- 

 struct and operate reservoirs on the Wisconsin River head-waters, 

 certain control being by the law assigned to the State Forestry 

 Board, and already there are in operation reservoirs with a stor- 

 age capacity of some 4000 million cubic feet. The right is re- 

 served to the state to take over and become the owner of all reser- 

 voirs and property of the company. 



A policy of consolidation of reserve holdings is in progress, 

 the forestry board having the power to sell scattering or agricul- 

 tural reserve lands, and devote the proceeds to the purchase of 

 absolute forest lands elsewhere. As these proceeds would re- 

 sult in a very slow consolidation, it is recommended that the state 

 board of forestry be authorized to issue certificates of indebtedness 

 on the reserve lands, payment to be by tax upon owners of water 

 powers on streams whose headwaters are protected by the re- 

 serves. The conditions of sale appear not to be the best. The 

 state lands were appraised before the formation of a forestry de- 

 partment, and although this department reappraises before any 

 recommended sale, and may increase the price, it cannot, un- 

 fortunately, lower the appraisal, and consequently many lands 

 cannot be sold. Further, the machinery is cumbersome, since the 

 sales take place through the board of land commissioners on re- 

 commendation of the forestry board. 



The educational policy consists in a course of 16 introductory 



