150 ANNUAL REPORT 



tion of existing forests, the multiplication of timber plantations, an 

 increase ot evergreen belts on the farms, more trees along the road- 

 sides and about the farm houses, are all questions of public interest. 

 Anything that will increase the interest in tree planting, and give in- 

 telligent directions to all efforts in that line, are of value to the gen- 

 eral public, and should receive the encouragement and hearty support 

 of all good citizens. 



The law under which bounties are paid for the cultivation of timber 

 is a step in the right direction, but there are some defects which should 

 be remedied by amendments. The Forestry Association should be pro- 

 vided with sufficient funds to employ at least one man constantly in 

 the work of investigation, experiment and instruction. Whatever of 

 value is ]<nown or learned should be put before the people, and every 

 available means utilized to stimulate and encourage the planting of 

 timber plantations and windbreaks. 



The Farmers Institute is a medium through which much may be 

 done to further the interests of horticulture and forestry. I have al- 

 ready referred to some of the reasons why the average farmer is not 

 easily interested in forestry. Of course, from ray standpoint, this 

 seeming indifference to so important a subject only emphasizes the 

 urgent necessity for pushing the subject before them. We find that 

 when the subject is properly presented it never fails to interest, yet 

 it is sometimes difficult to find room for it at iiistitutes. 



For three years I have endeavored to make use of Arbor day as a 

 means of calling attention to and inciting an interest in tree planting 

 among the country schools. The success has been very gratifying, 

 and last spring I succeeded in interesting the city schools of Minne- 

 apolis, and the day was celebrated by the planting of trees on the 

 school grounds, with appropriate exercises, including readings and 

 recitations by scholars and teachers. I hope to have more time this 

 year, and by enlisting the county superintendents and others, secure 

 a still more general observance of the day. Before we can have a sat- 

 isfactory state or national system of forestry, we must have a public 

 sentiment favorable to such a system. It will take time and earnest 

 work to create such a sentiment. I sincerely trust the members of 

 this Society, and all citizens who feel an interest in this all-important 

 subject, will do what thoy can to assist in forming this sentiment. 



We have inherited a land rich in natural fertility, with leafy 

 groves, bubbling springs, running brooks and verdant valleys. Let 

 us not be so greedy for the dollars as to rob our fields of their fertility 

 or forests of their trees, and so contribute to the drying up of springs 



