182 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



FORESTRY ASSOCIATIONS. 



The first Forestry Association formed in this country seems to 

 have been that of Minnesota (1873), which, with State aid previously 

 granted, did much, especially )3y the publication of its Forest-Tree 

 Planters Manual, to encourage tree ].)lanting not only in Minnesota 

 but also in other States. In 1875 a National Forestry Associatic n was 

 formed under the auspices of that well-known forest enthusiast, the 

 late Dr. Warder, which, however, did not become active. The 

 American Forestry Congress, in which the Forestry Association was 

 also merged, was formed in 1882, and since then has met yearly, in 

 different and widely-sundered localities, for the purpose of arousing 

 public interest in the subject and promoting the formation of local 

 forestry associations, as well as to forward any measures of desirable 

 legislation looking to the protection and preservation of forests, and, 

 by publishing from time to time its proceedings, to diffuse informa- 

 tion on the subject. The disinterestedness of its comijaratively few 

 members in urging forestry reforms cannot be too highly extolled. 



Following in its wake, and to some extent as an outgrowth of the 

 work of this Association, local or State Associations have been formed 

 in Ohio, Colorado, New York, and Pennsylvania, the Gulf States 

 being represented by the Southern Forestry Congress, with the same 

 object of forwarding, by discussion and publication, the interest of 

 forestry in their particular localities. 



In other States, where such associations have not yet been formed, 

 the horticultural or agricultural societies have devoted much atten- 

 tion to the subject of forestry, and by their discussions and publica- 

 tions have done much to advance its interests. Among those deserv- 

 ing special mention are the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and 

 the Societies of Michigan, Iowa, and Kansas. 



The most recent action of associated interests in forestry is reported 

 from the State Grange of Maine, embracing a membership of 15,000 

 farmers, which, by the appointment of a committee on "arbor day 

 and forestry," has committed itself to the subject. 



As the farmers hold nearly 38 per cent, of our forest area, this move 

 must be considered highly important, and it is to be hoped that the 

 granges all over the country will follow and bring their best efforts 

 to bear upon the needed reforms in the use of our forest resources. 



INSTRUCTION IN FORESTRY. 



There are no schools of forestry in this country,* nor are there reg- 

 ularly appointed chairs of forestry in any of the colleges or universi- 

 ties. _ In some of the agricultural colleges the professor of botany has 

 the title "' and forestry" added, but instruction, if given at all, is only 

 incidental. Occasional lectures on forestry subjects have been given 

 at the University of Pennsylvania from time to time, in accordance 

 with the provisions of the " Michaux fund." A conception that for- 

 estry is a distinct branch of economics and not identical with arbori- 

 culture,_ or simple tree planting, has not yet found entrance into our 

 institutions of education. 



*Tlie recent report of the California forest commission mentions that a forestry 

 school is being inaugurated at Los Angeles in connection with the University of 

 Southern California. 



