251 



succession of forest trees ; we find out what trees are hardy, and, having settled this 

 point, set out whatever kinds we fancy, with the expectation of having them do well if 

 they are cared for. 



(3) Shall we plant the White Pine in Michigan 1 



The answer may be given without hesitation. Yes ; plant it first, and last, and all 

 the time. Give it a fair chance and it will cover the State again. It may be wisdom to 

 substitute some other species on those tracts that have just been covered with a heavy 

 growth of pine, but it is, to say the least, doubtful whether any ^ch distinction need be 

 made. If the White Pine were planted in Michigan universally and everywhere, where 

 the land could be spared, it would find congenial soil enough even in those counties that 

 have been most heavily covered with it. 



Without discussing the value of other well-known species a few may be mentioned as 

 specially worthy of planting in Michigan. The European Larch, famous for the durability of 

 its timber, and perfectly adapted to our northern climate ; the Ailantlius, the only tree 

 that has successfully controlled the drifting sand plains of southern Russia, and will 

 perhaps be more valuable than any other on our own sand dunes ; the Gatalpa speciosa, 

 of which specimens a foot and a half in diameter may be seen in Ann Arbor, and which, 

 probably, may be depended upon for hardiness throughout the southern portion of the 

 lower peninsula ; the white ash and a long list of indigenous trees, any of which may be 

 planted with every reason to expect a good return. The consideration of the large num- 

 ber of species, both indigenous and introduced, that may be successfully cultivated in 

 Michigan is of great importance, but requires too much space for this article, and will 

 have to be taken up in a separate paper, together with the consideration of the species 

 best adapted to our sand-dunes, and the methods to be employed in planting them. 



4. Admitting that it is desirable that the planting of trees in Michigan should be 

 undertaken at once and in earnest, what are the means of securing this and of ensuring 

 the best results 1 



(1) The Legislature of the State may promote the work by offering encouragement 

 to tree planting in the way of exemption of property from taxation. As to the form 

 of legislation and its practical details, a careful study of the action of other States will 

 furnish valuable suggestions. Of all State laws on the subject of tree planting that have 

 come to my notice, that of Iowa has seemed preeminently adapted to the purpose. The 

 law provides that " for every acre of forest trees planted and cultivated for timber 

 within the State, the trees thereon not being more than twelve feet apart, and kept in a 

 healthy condition, the sum of one hundred dollars shall be exempted from taxation 

 * '■' * for ten years after each acre is so planted ; provided, etc." Possibly 

 other forms of legislative action on this subject may be found better, but that of Iowa 

 has this very excellent feature, that it has very largely accomplished the object aimed at. 

 We can profitably follow the example of Iowa, too, in securing the prepai-ation and dis- 

 tribution of something corresponding to their " Forestry Manual," an unpretentious pam- 

 phlet of about thirty pages, filled with valuable information and practical hints on the 

 subject of tree planting, and distributed gratutitously among the farmers of the State. 



(2) The State ought also to be establishing facts upon which to base the future man- 

 agement of the great work of reforesting its waste lands. Two or three experimental 

 stations, located in as many parts of the State, where trees of all sorts, both native and 

 foreign, can be cultivated and the results recorded, would enable us in a few years to 

 demonstrate the usefulness of some kinds and the unfitness of others for general cultiva- 

 tion. Meteorological observations carried on at these stations would give data for the 

 solution of the difficult but important question relating to the climatic effects of forests. 



(3) Very much depends upon the railroad companies, owning as they do, in the State 

 of Michigan, lines aggregating over four thousand miles in length, with large grants of 

 valuable land, they control, in a very great measure, the agricultural and commercial in- 

 terests of large areas of the State. The Detroit, Mackinac and Marquette Railroad 

 alone owns over 1,300,000 acres of land, and the Flint and Pere Marquette, the Grand 

 Rapids and Indiana, and other lines are possessed of large tracts of both farming and 

 timber lands. An abundant supply of wood for ties and manufacturing purposes is a 

 prime necessity of all these lines, and may be secured by the prompt adoption of a 



