PRESIDENT S ANNUAL ADDRESS. 2~] 



state is, in a small way, trying to save our timber from destruction 

 by fire, but our legislators and representatives in Congress do not 

 seem to realize the greater danger which threatens us through the 

 present method of cutting it, or to understand the magnitude of 

 the question. But, thank God, we have a president who does, 

 and through his influence we may succeed in securing legislation 

 that will stop the destruction of our valuable heritage. In his 

 message he treats of this subject so forcibly and concisely that this 

 address cannot close more fittingly than with the following quota- 

 tion, which furnishes another proof of our chief executive's com- 

 mon sense and justice: 



"Public opinion throughout the United States has moved stead- 

 ily toward a just appreciation of the value of forests, whether 

 planted or of natural growth. The great part played by them in 

 the creation and maintenance of the national wealth is now more 

 fully realized than ever before." 



"Wise forest protection does not mean the withdrawal of forest 

 resources, whether of wood, water or grass, from contributing 

 their full share to the welfare of the people, but, on the contrary, 

 gives the assurance of larger and more certain supplies. The fun- 

 damental idea of forestry is the perpetuation of forests by use. 

 Forest protection is not an end of itself; it is a means to increase 

 and sustain the resources of our country and the industries which 

 depend upon them. The preservation of our forests is an imper- 

 ative business necessity. We have come to see clearly that what- 

 ever destroys our forests, except to make way for agriculture, 

 threatens our well-being." 



:■; :k % ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ *fe ^ 



"The forest reserves should be set apart forever for the use 

 and benefit of our people as a whole, and not sacrificed to the 

 short-sighted greed of a few." 



Don't Cultivate Too Deep. — Experiments at several experiment 

 stations have shown that too deep cultivation is injurious to corn. 

 The first cultivation should be rather deep, but during subsequent 

 workings the ground should be stirred as little as possible. Simply 

 pulverize the crust and kill the weeds. The roots of the corn extend 

 laterally but a few inches beneath the surface, and when the culti- 

 vator shovels expose or tear through them, injury is done the plant. 

 The object of cultivation should always be kept in view : To estab- 

 lish and maintain a dust or soil mulch and to kill the weeds that 

 would rob the corn plants of food and moisture. 



