See eee eo 
218 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
for cultivation or unsuitable to it, the cutting should have been so con- 
trolled that restoration would have followed, and now we might be getting 
supplies of timber from areas cut over a half a century ago or less. 
It is high time that we set about following the example of Europe in 
preserving and restoring forests. The methods are before us, the experiences 
are there to inspire us, and we are not worthy of our age or country if we 
do not arise to the importance of the occasion and treat it as becomes in- 
telligent, provident, far-seeing citizens. Let us realize that we owe duties to 
posterity that it is criminal to neglect! Let us take counsel of the intelli- 
gent citizens of Switzerland! Let us realize that we are the state, and in 
that sense let us take up the work of forestry administration and prosecute 
it in a manner that will insure an ample timber supply for the future, and in 
doing that we will bless those who are to come after us, and they will rise up 
and call us blessed. 
Prof. Hays: To what size do they grow their trees in Switzer- 
land before harvesting? 
Mr. Owen: I saw none less than about eight inches. 
Prof. Hays: They are cut between that and twelve inches. 
Mr. Owen: Yes, about that. By the way, I took a walk oné 
day for several miles in a valley, and there were little mills where a 
stream of water comes down from the mountain, a little rivulet, 
but sufficient to run a mill capable of turning out two or three thou- 
sand feet of lumber a day. The lumberein Switzerland all seems 
to be cut in that way. There are no great, greedy corporations 
owning all the land and slaughtering timber without regard to 
present or future effect. 
Prof. Green: What were the logs? 
Mr. Owen: A good deal of white pine, birch, fir, and a sort 
much like Georgia pine. 
Prof. Green: Scotch pine? 
Mr. Owen: It is yellower than our pine. 
Prof. Green: Any larch? 
Mr. Owen: I do not remember seeing any. 
The President: Did you learn whether they planted the white 
pine on the ground from which pine had been cut? 
"Mr. Owen: Yes. 
Prof. Hays: What is a commune and a canton? What is the 
size? 
Mr. Owen: The canton is to the Swiss confederation what our 
state is to the United States. Cantons vary much in size. The 
commune is what we would call a township. It is a small area. 
Switzerland is'a thoroughly self-governed country, a pure democ- 
racy. Every measure of importance is passed upon by the people, 
through the referendum. Getting possession of the railroads was 
not a matter that was. worked up in trying to get representatives 
