SUMMER MEETING, 269 



social amenities, does not the tree occupy a most important and 

 prominent place? Does not the highest expression of modern 

 civilization lie in the careful protection of the forests of any country? 

 And Minnesota, with its much boasted civilization, will not have 

 lived up to that highest standard until it puts into force an intelli- 

 gent plan for perpetuating the forests over the surface of our fair 

 state. I do not consider that we can boast that we have reached the 

 highest point of civilization so long as we permit this deforestation 

 to proceed that is so actively going on and take no measures to 

 renew the forest growth. 



I do not object to the proper use of the forests. God has created 

 them, in His wisdom, for the use of inan. Therefore, when a tree is 

 mature, let man cut it down and apply it to his uses; but, it is 

 equally important that that tree growth should be renewed. We do 

 not object to the proper use of the forest. Let the lumberman cut 

 and be welcome, because he occupies a prominent place in the 

 economy of the state. The lumber which the great forests supply 

 goes into our houses and makes our homes, and there are manifold 

 uses for that same lumber. Therefore, we say, let the process of 

 taking the forests, cutting off the timber on the land, proceed; but 

 equally important is it to renew the forests as they are depleted. 



I say to 3'ou, ladies and gentlemen, that this subject is especially 

 important for the state of Minnesota. We occupj' a latitude which 

 gives us a cold continental climate. It is true that our climate is 

 healthful; but would our winters be as pleasant if there were no 

 forests to break the sweep of the winter winds? 



This forest question embodies the prosperity of the agricultural 

 interests of the state. It involves it very closelj', because we know 

 that where the tame grasses will grow, agriculture will bring the 

 greatest results. In the forest sections of the state, we find the 

 greatest agricultural prosperitj'; where the growth of the tame 

 grasses is not successful, agriculture is not a success. The pro- 

 tection of the trees and maintenance of our forests will keep the 

 the snow on the ground and maintain an even and abundant supply 

 of moisture in the ground. In view of these facts, do you desire, is 

 there one present under my voice who desires to see the forests 

 taken oflf in this state? Would it not detract greatly from the 

 beauty and comfort of our grand state to have them depleted? 



Now, looking at this in a practical way, it is an especially fortunate 

 matter that the state of Minnesota at this time possesses thousands, 

 yea, hundreds of thousands of acres of land in the cut-over districts 

 which have reverted to it for taxes, and which are now denuded, 

 although once covered by grand forests. Who has not been im- 

 pressed, when travelling on the railroads, by the barrenness of the 

 burned districts? Tliat land, fortunately, largely belongs to the 

 state; and these resolutions, which I shall place before your society 

 today for adoption, I hope, embody, to some degree, practical, civil 

 and modern methods of forest managetnent of hatidling this im- 

 portant question to the safety, comfort and prosperity of the state 

 of Minnesota. Looking at this from a practical standpoint, is it 

 best that this great pine interest, lumber interest, should die? It 

 brings to us millions of dollars per year, gives durability to our 



