448 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
PRACTICAL ACTION. 
But how can every one be reached? Let us not say it is impossi- 
ble! That is the lazy man’s doctrine and is entirely unworthy of 
Minnesota people. Itcan be done, and done well, if every one will 
do his duty. There are now lines of communication established to 
every family and every individual through the store and the post 
office. Usethese. There are now established, supervisors of all or- 
ganized townships. Use these. There are now established schools 
for the instruction of every child, who may in turn instruct every 
family. Usethese. There are now established constables and oth. 
er police officers. Use these. There are now officers of justice in 
every township. Use these. 
Will the present organization be effective, and can this be added 
to their duties and without increase of salary? Try itand see. But 
from what source shall emanate the instruction and discipline nec- 
essary, or,rather, who will represent the people in this function? 
Every efficient system must havea head, A man specially quali- 
fied for the position should have control of it, and he should have 
ample means to carry out his plans. He should not be obliged to 
work at anything else, for it will require all the time and all the en- 
ergy of the best man that can be found. He should be empowered 
to employ counsel and assistance, especially to collect and distrib- 
ute information; and he should be thoroughly supported by neces- 
sary legislation. 
To begin at once to establish every known valuable feature of for- 
estry would be very imprudent and would involve much needless 
expense. On the other hand,a miserly policy would be quite as 
bad, for the expense would be even greater through loss of the for- 
est. Let everything be done consistently, with a reason for every 
act,a sound footing for every step,and above all, with a love for 
“Our Minnie,’ her people and her trees. 
This last clause is sentimental, but sentiment is just what we need. 
If there had been the proper sentiment on this question forty years 
ago, our forest resources would have been safe. But now as we 
pass among the charred remains of the grand old forest that once 
stood as a guaranty of our prosperity, those prophetic words of 
Scott applied to Marmion are suggested: 
‘*Where shall the traitor rest? 
He, the deceiver, 
Who could win woman’s breast, 
Ruin, and leave her?”’ 
It is the duty of those who have been enriched by harvesting for- 
eign timber to atleast leave the forests not wanted immediately for 
farming in fair condition to produce a new crop, and not leave 
them as they do now, blighted and worthless. 
