84 ANNUAL REPORT. 
future welfare of the nation depends largely upon the success of a system of for- 
estry which will ultimately reclaim the great treeless region of the North Amer- 
ican Continent, and render it a habitable and revenue producing region. 
We have carefully examined said memorial, and no language at our command 
would more clearly set forth our own views. We cordially endorse it, fully be- 
lieving the accumulated experience of European nations would greatly aid us in 
many ways, and as the sense of this committee we submit the following resolu- 
tion : 
Resolved, That the members of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, rec- 
ognizing the great importance of gaining a more correct knowledge of the science 
of forestry, do hereby most earnestly and respectfully urge upon our senators and 
representatives in congress to use all honorable efforts to secure the passage of the 
Bill No. 1218 of the House of Representatives. 
Respectfully submitted, 
Ty, Ea Boseat, 
O. F. Branp. 
DISCUSSION. 
Distance to Plant. 
After reading the report the following discussion was held: 
Mr. Dart. The planting recommended is too thick. The trees 
must be taken out or they will die out. Think the underbrush 
ought to be cleaned out of nature’s groves. 
Mr. Sias. The nearer the trees stand, the less brush, the. better 
the shape. 
Mr. Somerville. Wave had an experience with trees seventeen 
years, when set twelve feet apart they make brush, when you want 
a straight, thrifty tree set out four feet by four, and cut out the 
stunted ones. 
Mr. Jordon. The bill is too strict in its provisions because in 
case of failure the settler loses his claim. 
Mr. Harris. Four feet by four is not too close, rows four feet 
apart and trees two feet in the row would be better. 
Mr. Dart. Four feet by eight would be better than four feet by 
four. 
Mr. Pearce. There is no danger of getting the trees too close. 
Mr. Hollister. Must plant close enough to get straight trunks. 
Would plant four feet by four if I had ten acres to plant. Have 
seen them planted in Wisconsin ten inches apart in the row and 
afterwards thinned. 
Mr. Hart. Have helped to plant trees in Europe. They plant 
close there. 
