FORESTRY. 165 



it is not the intention to withdraw this land from use, but, on the con- 

 trary, it is to insure and regulate its rational use, I am sure that the 

 request would be favored by all well-disposed citizens. 



The object of these reservations is to devote such land as is fit 

 only for timber growth to timber growth, and whatever land is fitted 

 for agriculture is to be open for agricultural use. The minerals that 

 are on such reservations are to be mined under regulations, and the 

 timber is to be cut under regulations, such as have been embodied in 

 the bill known as the Paddock Bill, introduced in the Senate, in which 

 the methods and management for these reserves are outlined. Under 

 this bill a settler by paying a nominal license fee can supply himself 

 with the timber he w^nts, and a prospector by paying a nominal fee can 

 supply his wants under regulations. A lumberman can supply himself with 

 the stumpage, not in the illegal way in which it is now done, but in a 

 perfectly straightforward, legal manner; not in a small way either, be- 

 cause it permits him to enter the stumpage of twenty-five sections of 

 land, that will make it worth his while to put up a sawmill, by paying a 

 small license and stumpage fee, such as may be determined upon by bids 

 in open market or otherwise. With such a beginning the gradual devel- 

 opment of proper, more refined forestry management would be assured. 



These then are the two directions in which associated effort is needed 

 by those who recognize the necessity of a change in our forest policy: 

 First. — For the states to secure reasonable protection of forest property 

 against destruction by fire. Secondly. — For the general government to 

 establish the policy of reserving all remaining public timber lands and 

 placing them under proper administration. 



Let the churning be done, the butter must come flnallyl 



DISCUSSION ON PROF. FERNOW'S ADDRESS. 



Mr. C. L. Smith: I think that what Prof. Fernow has said 

 should prove of great value to us here. We who have had to 

 do with this matter have always come across a snag before we 

 got very far, and it has been one we could not get around. 

 When we tried to pass certain legislation in the interests of the 

 people of this state we were opposed by many who supposed 

 they ought to be opposed to any legislation in this direction, and 

 they were backed up by a personal interest with plenty of money. 

 Fourteen years ago a law was passed in this state against 

 the setting of fires, providing penalties for so doing, 

 providing for the appointment and salary of an officer to 

 execute that law. That salary has been paid for the last four 

 teen years, and the man who drew it has been a clerk in the 

 State Auditor's office. There has never been a man punished 

 under that law in the state of Minnesota. Now, what we need 

 is education. We have made some progress during the last 

 two years, and there is a greater interest taken in this matter 

 now than there was in the past. 



