1192 A NATIONAL PLAN FOB AMERICAN FORESTRY 



In 1931 the Wisconsin forestry program received greatly increased 

 financial support. Increased planting programs on State forest 

 lands are planned. Moreover private lumber, pulp, and paper com- 

 panies in Wisconsin are becoming more interested in planting. One 

 company in 1931 planted 1,896 acres. Some companies are develop- 

 ing nurseries of their own. 



An urgent planting need exists in the Lake States, both on privately 

 owned and on State and county lands. The development of State 

 and county forests and the reforestation of lands being entered under 

 the forest crop laws, especially in Michigan and Wisconsin, will 

 necessitate planting on an immense scale. 



Extension. All four States employ extension foresters in coopera- 

 tion with the Federal Government. During the fiscal year 1931 

 they expended $16,287 on cooperative extension projects of aid to 

 private forest owners, especially to farmers for the furtherance of 

 better forestry practice. This extension work has resulted in an 

 increase in farm forest planting. Windbreaks and shelter belts have 

 been established, woodlands improved, and boys and girls encouraged 

 in forestry through 4-H Club work. The forestry department of the 

 University of Michigan, Michigan State College, and the University 

 of Minnesota also furnish free information and technical advice to 

 owners in regard to the proper management of forest lands. This 

 includes not only correspondence and interviews but often the exami- 

 nation of areas and, in some cases, the preparation of management 

 plans. 



Blister-rust control. During the fiscal year 1931 the Lake States 

 made available for white pine blister-rust control $9,404 which con- 

 stitutes a direct aid to certain white-pine owners. Blister-rust control 

 in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin is organized on a cooperative 

 basis between the Federal Government through its Division of Blister 

 Rust Control, the State agency, usually the department of conserva- 

 tion and /or the department of agriculture, and owners of white pines. 

 Each owner of white pines desiring protection against blister rust 

 furnishes the necessary labor to eradicate currant and gooseberry 

 bushes under direction of a foreman furnished by the State. Private 

 aid is thus extended by the State in a supervisory capacity and in the 

 furnishing of advice and information on control methods. 



Research. Research in the general interest of forest owners is con- 

 ducted by each of the three Lake States proper, but little along this 

 line is reported from North Dakota. In Michigan the department of 

 conservation maintains a forest-fire experiment station in cooperation 

 with the Federal Forest Service, and both the State college and uni- 

 versity forestry departments carry on investigations for the benefit 

 of woodland owners and the advancement of forestry practice in 

 general. 



In Wisconsin the State university cooperates with the Federal 

 Forest Service in the conduct of silvical investigations and in the 

 maintenance of the Forest Products Laboratory. 



In Minnesota the forestry department of the university conducts 

 numerous investigations, both independently and in cooperation with 

 the United States Forest Service. It also provides quarters for the 

 Lake States Forest Experiment Station in St. Paul and, in addition, 

 maintains an experimental forest and nursery of its own at Cloquet. 

 The department of conservation formerly spent a considerable 



