126 
of agriculiure called for. The criminal waste of natural gas is quite re- 
cent history; and the industrial consequences of its failure are painfully 
evident in the manufacturing cities of the gas belt. 
Our natural gas and primeyal forests belong to the past and are 
things therefore beyond the help of any conservation. But we have a 
great wealth of natural resources which need our most careful attention. 
Present Forests.—Our existing forests are made up of limited areas of 
primeval forest, and second-growth timber of inferior quality on our stream 
bluffs and other waste lands, and in the farmers’ wood lots. In the mat- 
ter of afforestation there must be an improvement in the character of the 
growing trees in the wood lots, which can only be brought about by scien- 
tifie forestal methods. Each farmer must be as competent in tree growing 
as in corn and wheat growing. In southern Indiana and along the streams 
of northern and central Indiana we have a large combined area of land 
too steep for successful field culture; and for the sake of soil protection, 
and for future lumber supply, these tracts should be kept in perpetual 
forests. In this matter of forests upon non-agricultural lands, there 
should first be a careful survey of such lands in order to form an accurate 
esiimate of the total area, and to determine what species of trees are best 
adapted to make a rapid growth of valuable timber. It seems quite safe 
to say that the present woodland areas are of sufficient acreage to meet 
all the needs for lumber within our own State, if the quantity and quality 
of timber grown will be what it should be. 
Soil Fertility —The most valuable natural resource of our State is 
its soil, and the maintenance of its fertility is of paramount importance. 
The loss in fertility due to poor agricultural methods is beginning to be 
keenly felt. The loss due to soil erosion in southern Indiana was ably 
presented in the Presidential address of two years ago. 
Sewage Pollution.—No conservation program can ignore the problem 
of keeping the state waters pure. Our streams must be brought back to 
their original purity. As our population becomes more dense, the need of a 
pure water supply becomes greater, and it becomes imperative that we 
stop polluting our streams with sewage. The turning of sewage and 
factory wastes into our streams is not only vicious from the standpoint 
of sanitation and aesthetics, but the carrying of sewage to the sea is a 
waste of certain elements of soil fertility which should go back to the tand 
instead of being lost in the ocean. 
