FUNCTIONS AND ACTIVITIES 215 



1. The Purchase, Protection and Maintenance of State Forests. 



In some states, as in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, the state for- 

 estry organization is also interested in the protection of private lands 

 from fire and pest attacks. There has been a general tendency to 

 extend fire protection either directly or cooperatively over all the for- 

 ests of the state, irrespective of ownership. 



2. The Establishment and Maintenance of State Tree Nurseries 

 and Reforestation Activities. These have been the principal activi- 

 ties in some states, as in New York, where little trees are distributed 

 at cost to the people as well as for planting on State* Forests and 

 lands owned by public agencies, like hospitals, prisons, colleges, 

 and parks. There has been a widespread increase in the growing 

 of forest trees for planting in many of the states, notably in Michi- 

 gan, Indiana, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Ohio, and several southern 

 states. 



3. Promotion and Stimulation of the Private Forest Owner to 

 Practice Better Forestry. Separate divisions of the State Forest or- 

 ganization are sometimes devoted to this single purpose. The work 

 is done by written and oral advice to the owners of woodlands, the 

 establishment of demonstration forest areas under management, and 

 by practical cutting, planting, and improvement thinning demonstra- 

 tions. Bulletins, pamphlets, and press releases are issued on matters 

 of popular interest such as reforestation, fire protection, recreation, 

 and management of woodlands. 



4. Education and Extension. An important function of all State 

 Forest Services is to educate the general public, including school chil- 

 dren, regarding the necessity of more and better forests. This is ac- 

 complished by radio broadcasts; talks before luncheon, women's, civic, 

 patriotic, and fraternal clubs; exhibits at state and county fairs; 

 Arbor Day celebrations; the distribution of publications dealing with 

 the improvement of woodlands, reforestation, and fire protection. 

 The laws of Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and 

 Tennessee require the teaching of forestry by the regular staffs of 

 teachers in both primary and advanced public schools. In Ohio, 

 South Carolina, and West Virginia, a course of study in forest-fire 

 prevention for the schools is prescribed by law. Tennessee has led in 

 requiring forestry to be included in the public-school curriculum. 



5. Cooperation with the Federal Government and with Private 

 Organizations in Fire Protection, in the Growth and Distribution of 

 Trees, and in Woodlot Forestry. Under certain conditions, as ex- 

 plained elsewhere, the Federal Government contributes funds to the 

 various states for these activities. Aside from this, the individual 



