48 



acreage. At fairs and meetings of associations opportunity is nearly 

 always afforded for such work. Our teachers should be urged to give 

 at their gatherings frequent opportunity for the presentation of such 

 forestry matters as would be appropriate to the occasion. At our agri- 

 cultui'al college and in connection Avith several of our public educa- 

 tional institutions coiu'ses in forestry should be given so that our coming 

 generation of agi'iculturists, teachers and professional men may deal 

 with our problems in an intelligent way. We need in every community 

 men trained in forestiy matters who, even though they may not be 

 actively engaged in forestry work, will be the leaders of public sentiment 

 and the organizers of movements in the direction of forest care. Some 

 of these men may in time be encouraged to supplement the work of 

 tlie State by securing control, at tax sales or in other ways, of suitable 

 forest lands and managing them in a manner to obtain a permanent in- 

 vestment, that could be made to yield a reasonable return to their pos- 

 teritj". In some countries large estates have been left in this way, pro- 

 tected by proper conditions that would prevent subsequent holders from 

 depreciating the value of the investment, that, well managed, would yield 

 a A'ery liberal return. 



Although the State does not own forest lands, she should educate her 

 citizens in this subject for the same reason that she now does in agri- 

 cultural matters, even though she is not engaged in agriculture. 



It is also important that the public schools lend their influence to this 

 cause In devoting some part of their time to the general study of our 

 trees and the value of our forests. This need not be introduced into the 

 curriculum as a regular subject, but in connection with the nature work 

 in the grades some few matters might be presented and in the high school 

 a few talks to the whole stxident body each term would accomplish very 

 much, indeed a simple recognition of the importance of the subje<'t would 

 greatly assist in securing a hearing with the young. A German proverb 

 says, "^Aliatever you would have appear in the nation's life you must in- 

 troduce into the public school, and in not doing this we are missing one 

 of the most important means of bettering our forestry conditions." 



Fortunately one day has been set apart for the consideration of our 

 forest interests, and the proper observance of arbor day in our State affords 

 one of the very best methods of presenting this subject to the people. 

 This day should be carefully observed in every school district in the State 

 as a holiday and appi-opriate exercises should be prepared for the occa- 



