THE STATE REVIEW. 



tended to the museum of the Kent Scientific 

 Institute fur the loan of specimens for the pur- 

 poses of illustration and decoration. 



The thanks of the association are extended 

 to the Ryei-son library .for its friendly invita- 

 tion tn visit and examine the many volumes 

 pertaining to the subject of iorestry. 



The Michigan Forestry A.--SI 'ciation notices 

 \vith mcern the increasing scarcity of 



timber supplies, which is rapidly approaching a 

 point where it will seriously interfere with 

 the healthy development of our state. 



The tion also notices with great con- 



cern the alarming increase in the import of 

 timber from far distant points, and heartily 

 regrets what appears to be a fatal policy, es- 

 pecially for a conservative agricultural state; 

 namely, to import one of the great necessities 

 of life, when there is ample opportunity to 

 produce this material within the confines of 

 our commonwealth. 



"The association is thoroughly aroused over 

 the present unsatisfactory condition of our 

 forest lands and wild lands in general, and the 

 utter lack of any systematic effort to replace 

 the much-needed timber supply. 



"The association fully appreciates the dan- 

 gers of continued timber denudation in its ef- 

 fect upon the water supply, the climatic as 

 well as the aesthetic conditions of our state. 



"The association is fully aware of the wide- 

 spread appreciation among the people of our 

 state with regards to the need of immediate ac- 

 tion for the betterment of these conditions. 



"This association; having been organized for 

 the purpose of furthering forestry in all its 

 phases, therefore resolves, 



"That the Michigan Forestry Association is 

 thoroughly in sympathy with the work of the 

 State Forestry Commission and recommends 

 most urgently a strengthening of this com- 

 mission by more ample appropriations for the 

 expansion of its work. 



"Resolved, That the existing laws concern- 

 ing the disposition of state lands, and espec- 

 ially the dealing with the tax-lands of this 

 state, are unsatisfactory and should be modi- 

 fied; and especially that a definite minimum 

 for land should be established by law, and that 

 a thorough examination of all lands previous 

 to their sale should be assured. 



"Resolved, That the state establish an ef- 

 fective system of protection of forest prop- 

 erty. That the present law with regard to 

 forest fires be modified, and that a provision 

 be made for co-operation between state and 

 private owners of timber lands. 



"It is the conviction of this association that 

 such protection can be accomplished only by a 

 regular patrol, and that the funds appropriated 

 for this purpose be expended primarily in the 

 prevention rather than in the fighting of for- 

 est fires. 



"Resolved, That a large area of land in 

 Alcona and Oscoda counties, known as the 

 Agricultural College lands, be withdrawn from 

 sale and entry and that a reasonable appropria- 

 tion be made for their protection and improve- 

 ment by tree planting; such appropriation to 

 be expended through the Michigan Agricultu- 

 ral College. 



"Resolved, That the existing law with re- 

 gard to state homesteads be repealed. 



"Resolved, That this association is thor- 

 oughly in sympathy with every effort to main- 

 tain and improve the wood-lots connected 

 with settled farms, and that this association 

 recommends a liberal appropriation of funds 

 for a systematic campaign of education and 

 assistance for this purpose. 



"Resolved, That this association most heart- 

 ily appreciates and is in sympathy with the 

 : other organizations, notably The 

 State Federation of Y\ 'oards 



| of Commerce, Granges and others promoting 

 forestry and allied improvements in our - 



"Resolved, That this association highly ap- 

 preciates the great work of the press of the 

 state in the furtherance of forestry in Michi- 

 gan. 



"This appreciation is especially due the 

 northern part of the state, finding expression 

 at the recent meeting of the North Michigan 

 I'ress Association, where resolutions favoring 

 activity in matters of forestry were unani- 

 mously adopted." 



THE HOMESTEAD LAW. 



PROF. ROTH EXPLAINS REASONS FOR ITS 

 PROPOSED REPEAL. 



The committee reports were adopted, and 

 Mrs. .Schmidt asked for further explanation 

 regarding the proposed repeal of the home- 

 stead law, and Prof. Roth made clear the 

 action taken, as follows: "When the act went 

 into effect good lands were plenty, a condi- 

 tion that is not true now. Even as early as 

 1878 men began to question the workings of 

 the homestead law, and to suggest modifica- 

 tions. They began to doubt whether it was 

 advisable to let farmers go onto land that 

 was not suitable for agriculture. We want to 

 give a poor man all the good land there is, 

 and give him a bonus besides, to settle up the 

 country, but for heaven's sake stop deceiving 

 the people by offering them lands that they 

 will starve to death on. The homestead law in 

 Michigan is a .humbug." 



Representative-elect Campbell explained the 

 ill workings of the homestead law at further 

 length. 



Mr. Loud "I am conversant with 1,000 

 acres of this territory subject to homestead 

 entry, and know it to be mostly lands that 

 have been thrown away by the lumbermen, 

 and absolutely worthless lands for the past 

 50 years." 



Prof. Roth "That's all right." 



Mr. Hubbcll "I'll swear that they have 

 been worthless for 44 years that's as far 

 back as I can go." 



Prof. Roth "The records show that as 

 early as 1875 9,000,000 acres, or one-half the 

 whole northern part of the state, was 'in soak' 

 for taxes." 



Other instances of the injustice of the home- 

 stead law in its present workings were given 

 by Mr. Loud and Prof. Roth. 



Secretary Stevens was called on for a word 

 regarding the change in the state organ of 

 the association, and he replied as. follows: 



"The Michigan Investor Co., of Detroit, 

 bought out the State Review Pub. Co. a month 

 ago, and Mr. Carter, the editor, proposes to 

 continue the Review along the same lines. 



The Investor has been published successful 

 for several years. The publishers reip: I 

 the association take charm' of getting up t] 

 forestry matter for each issue. I would a 

 vise continuing- in our present relations wi 

 the State Review." 



On motion of Mr. Garfield, the matter w 

 ed to the executive board, with pow 



f. Roth proposed the following amen 

 ment to the article-- iciation relating 



membership, which was also referred a 



"That the Active Membership list . 

 tinned as at present. 



"That a Sustaining Membership list he cr 

 ated, the payments being optional with mei 

 hers, ranging from $5 to ,f:.!5. 



"That ,a Life Membership list be create 

 whereby members by payment of $100 m: 

 become life members of the Michigan Fore 

 tr\ Association." 



C. S: Udell, of Grand Rapids "In order ' 

 start the ball rolling you may put my nan 

 down for $25 for a sustaining membership." 



Mr. Garfield "You may add my name al: 

 for $35." 



Mr. Loud reported for the committee c 

 nomination of officers for the ensuing year, 

 follows: 



President John H. Bisscll, Detroit. 



Vice-President C. S. Udell, Grand Rapic 



Secretary Henry G. Stevens, Detroit. 



Treasurer J. J. Hubbell, Manistee. 



Board of Directors Mrs. Francis King, f 

 ma; Thos. B. Wyman, Munising; Henry '. 

 Loud, Au Sable; S. M. Lemon, Grand R 

 ids; Mrs. J. C. Sharp, Jackson; C. D. Las 

 ton, Lawton; L. L. Mnhbard, Houghton. 



The name of Dr. Hubbard was added to t 

 original list of directors by suggestion of Mj 

 King, who is conversant with the valuat 

 work that he is doing in support of the fc 

 estry movement in the upper peninsula. 



The report was adopted. 



On motion of Mr. Garfield the matter 

 issuing certain forestry literature, as suggest 

 by Mrs. King, to aid in spreading tlu 

 through the state, was adopted and will 

 done as soon as the funds will permit. 



Prof. Roth moved the board of directors i 

 lect someone to represent the association 

 the February meeting of the state retail lu 

 her dealers in Detroit, and it was carried. 



Mr. Garfield "Now we are going aw 

 no prospects of meeting again for a whi 

 year. I think that we should have ad inter! 

 a convention of the forestry workers. 1 me 

 you, Mr. Chairman, that the executi 1 , 

 mittee be authorized to arrange for suclv 

 mid-year meeting in co-operation with tl 

 State Forestry Commission in such a way til 

 our interests may be best advanced throu|| 

 out the state." 



The motion carried. 



Mr. Udell "I would suggest a number's 

 district, or old-fashioned revival meelin .; 

 with splendid speakers, to arouse th< 

 on this important subject." 



Mr Sargent invited the members of the c'r 

 vcntion to visit the Kent Scientific Museil 

 and its forestry exhibit, before returning boil 

 and the convention adjourned sine die on tl 

 tion of Mr. Garfield. 



Michigan Forestry Association. 



The Michigan Forestry Association was organized in Grand Rapids August 30, 1905, having for its object the promotion of a rational systc 

 forestry in Michigan. The society is managed by the following roster of officers : President, John H. Bissell, of Detroit, Vice-President, C. S. T 

 Grand Rapids; Secretary, Henry G. Stevens, Detroit; Treasurer, J. J. Hubbell. Manistee. Board of Directors, Mrs. Francis King, Alma; L. L. 

 bard, Houghton; S. M. Lemon, Grand Rapids; H. N. Loud, Au Sable; Thos. B. Wyman, Munising; Mrs. J. C. Sharp, Jackson; C. D. Lawton, 



The State Forestry Commission Charles W. Garfield, Grand Rapids; Arthur Hill, Saginaw; William H. Rose, Lansing. 



