FORESTRY PLAN AND COMMENTS. 321 



CAPT. J. N.CROSS' FORESTRY PLAN AND COMMENTS 

 BY PROF. B, E. FERNOW. 



Some time since a copy of the subjoined circular was sent to 

 Prof. B. E. Fernow, Chief of the Division of Forestry, Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture — as also to a large number of other 

 persons — for examination and comment. The response of 

 Prof. Fernow to this circular and a personal communication, is 

 of sufficient interest to be worthy of publication, and it is given 

 below in full, preceded by the circular letter as necessary to a 

 full understanding of it. This letter was in the possession of 

 Capt. Cross at our late summer meeting, but on account of lack 

 time it was not presented. Secretary. 



' ClUCULAK. I 



TO FRIENDS OF FORESTRY. 



Atthe late atimial meeting of the Minnesota State Forestry Associa- 

 tion, the following^ proposition was submitted to it for consideration, 

 with the result that a committee was appointed to carefull}' consider 

 the plan proposed and report its conclusions to the executive com- 

 mittee of the association as early as practicable. The proposition 

 being novel, important and with far-reaching- possibilities, the 

 committee is conscious of the weighty responsibility devolving 

 upon it, and therefore earnestly requests expressions of opinion 

 from the active friends of forestry in the state upon the matter. It 

 is hoped by the committee, therefore, that the proposition will be 

 carefully considered by each one who receives a copy of this, and 

 that his opinion, with reasons for it, will be forwarded to the 

 secretary of the association at his earliest convenience. The forestry 

 problem in Minnesota is pressing for solution, and no further time 

 should be lost in adopting measures calculated to preserve and 

 restore large forest areas in the woodland and prairie portions of 

 the state. 



Address all communications to J. O. Bakkett, Secretary, Brown's 

 Valley, Minnesota; S. M. Ow'KS. President, Mintieapolis. 



PLAN FOR THE STATE TO ACQUIRE A FORESTRY AREA. 



The following is a synopsis of the plan proposed by J udson N. 

 Cross, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, to the State Forestry Association 

 of Minnesota at its annual meeting held at Minneapolis, January 

 15th, 18'.)6, for the state to acquire quickly and without expense the 

 beginnings of a forestry area. 



FiR.sT:— That the legislature constitute state, county and town 

 forestry boards; for economj- the town boards of supervisors to con- 

 stitute the town forestry l)oards, the county commissioners to con- 

 stitute the county forestry boards, and the state forestry board to 

 consist of nine members, as follows, to-wit: 



lat:— The state land commissioner to be chairman, and represent- 

 ing the state lands and the forest fire warden department. 



