128 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The presence of pine in such large quantities usually points to a 

 deficiency of mineral substance in the soil, and it is an open secret 

 that there is but little of this land agricultural land, and what there 

 is not of the best quality. 



There might be farms and villages here if adjacent forests con- 

 ducted on forestry principles could supplement them, furnishing ad- 

 ditional labor while adding to their earnings a certain forest crop, 

 as is the case in Germany, where forestry is conducted on a scien- 

 tific basis. It is the very bulwark of Germany's substantial financial 

 prosperity. 



As long as this reservation is in the hands of the government 

 it is Minnesota's opportunity to have it set aside and secure govern- 

 ment help in rendering it of permanent value. We have been as- 

 sured again and again by those in a position to know at Washing- 

 ton, that if our delegation at Washington want it they can have it, 

 and yet, members of the Horticultural Society, our delegation is 

 not asking for it, and they are not asking for an investigation. The 

 investigation is the vital point. Before any intelligent measure can 

 be passed there must be a geological survey to show if there be real 

 agricultural land and where it is located. 



Just a word as to what has been done. Three years ago, with 

 the above-mentioned objects in view, we succeeded by means of 

 a memorial of the Minnesota legislature in withdrawing the land 

 from the sale which had been fixed to occur May 10th, 1899. Since 

 that time we have sought by every means in our power to secure an 

 investigation of this reservation to determine by what method it 

 can best be opened and made of permanent benefit to the state. 

 One or two politicians from northern Minnesota, doubtless inspired 

 by lumber interests, scouted the plan. Publicity was given to the 

 charge that we were trying "to tie up good agricultural land," and 

 an effort was made in the interest of these few powerful ones to 

 make it appear that southern Minnesota was trying to isolate north- 

 ern Minnesota! As a matter of fact, two railroads run through that 

 section, and Duluth is as securely connected with the wheat fields 

 of Dakota as though the railroads were to run through a wilderness 

 of stumps instead of the rich and prosperous enterprise we would 

 have established there. There has been a constant policy to con- 

 fuse and misstate our purpose. In whose interest can this be.' 



We do not forget that lumbermen have done useful service in 

 opening up this great country to an advancing civilization. But, 

 in the hurry of the country's youth, with its vast expanse of forest, 

 they have been permitted to do it in a reckless, improvident way, 



