742 A NATIONAL PLAN FOR AMERICAN FORESTRY 



THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF STATE POLICIES 



OF FORESTRY 



The history of State forestry throws much light on what can 

 reasonably be expected of it. 



HOW STATE FORESTRY STARTED 



A widespread interest in forestry and demand for some form of 

 public action on its behalf developed in the United States in the third 

 quarter of the nineteenth century. The extensive interest in forestry 

 which led to the inauguration of public effort for its promotion both 

 in many States and by the National Government is shown by the 

 following list of significant developments prior to 1885: 



1819. Massachusetts law to encourage the growing of trees necessary for ship 

 building by means of premiums to be offered by the agricultural societies 

 receiving the bounty of the State. 



1837. Massachusetts provided, in connection with a geological and botanical 

 survey of the State, for a special report on the native trees and shrubs, 

 keeping in view economic relations and particularly the agricultural 

 and general benefit of the commonwealth by leading landowners to 

 engage in forestry. 



1846. Massachusetts report on the forest survey of the State published. 



1861. Nebraska Territory law to encourage forest planting through tax exemption. 



1867. Wisconsin law for a commission of three to inquire into the rate of forest 



destruction and its climatic effects, whether the State should regulate 

 private forest practices, and what the State should do to preserve the 

 forests and encourage their return. 



1868. Iowa law to encourage forest planting through tax exemption. 

 Kansas law to encourage forest planting through bounty. 



Wisconsin law to encourage provision of natural or planted timber belts 

 through tax exemption and bounty. 



1869. Dakota Territory law to encourage the artificial establishment of timber 



growth through tax exemption. 



Nebraska State law to encourage forest planting through tax exemption. 

 Maine State Board of Agriculture appointed a committee to present to the 



legislature suggestions regarding the expediency of a State policy for the 



preservation and production of forest trees, and to call the attention of 



Congress to the same subject. 



1870. St. Paul & Pacific Railroad began forest planting. 



Kansas Pacific Railroad began experimental forest planting. 

 Missouri law to encourage forest planting through bounty. 



1871. Minnesota law to encourage forest planting through bounty. 



1872. Nebraska began observance of Arbor Day to encourage fprestation. 

 Burlington & Missouri River Railroad began forest planting. 

 Maine law to encourage forest planting through tax exemption. 



New York created a commission to investigate the expediency of establish- 

 ing a forest preserve in the Adirondack region. 



1873. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad began establishment of forest 



nurseries with a view to timber growing. 

 Federal Government passed the "Timber Culture Act" to encourage 



forest planting on the prairies through bounty in form of land. 

 Nevada law to encourage forest planting through bounty. 

 American Association for the Advancement of Science created a committee 



"to memorialize Congress and the several State legislatures on the 



importance of promoting the cultivation of timber and the preservation 



of forests," and to recommend legislation. 

 New York State commission recommended the holding of tax-delinquent 



lands in the Adirondack region to build up a State park. 

 Committee of the American Association for the Advancement of Science 



memorialized Congress for the appointment of a Federal commissioner 



of forestry, to prosecute investigations and inquiries. 



