CHIEF FIRE WARDEN. 133 



years old, and the forester again proceeds to remove the centen- 

 aries, the oldest age class. 



The average stand of trees per acre in the ideal forest is little, 

 say 2,000 feet to 4,000 feet board measure per acre. It must be the 

 forester's aim to reduce the stumpage found in the primeval forest 

 as quickly as possible to the ideal figure. Only that amount of capi- 

 tal is left in the forest which yields the highest interest in the 

 safest manner. 



There are, of course, many difficulties and drawbacks associated 

 with a course as outlined. The lumbering expenses are increased; 

 the storm is apt to play havoc in the new forest, at least to begin 

 with; insect plagues are to be feafed; the owner's capital is kept 

 scattered over a large area, etc. Still, these inconveniences and 

 dangers weigh little compared with the influence which reckless 

 taxation has on the amount of revenue obtainable from the invest- 

 ment and which forest fires exercise on the safety of the capital en- 

 gaged. 



NECESSARY PREMISES FOR PRIVATE FORESTRY. 



Give the wood-owning lumbermen protection against hypertaxa- 

 tion and protection against conflagration, and he will practice for- 

 estry on nonagricultural land, because it will pay him best to do 

 so. In addition, cancel the law preventing companies from holding 

 over 5,000 acres of land; gather statistical data relative to the rate 

 of tree growth, through the St. Anthony Park station so well 

 equipped for the task, so as to do away with the uncertainty envel- 

 oping the financial possibilities of tree growth. If you want to 

 develop a desirable industry you will have to offer inducements 

 allowing that industry to become remunerative. 



As regards taxation, it is unwise to leave forest property at the 

 mercy of mere local authority. All nonagricultural land, with the 

 help of the geological survey, should be singled out and its taxation 

 regulated by state authority. Young trees yielding a revenue only 

 after decades of years cannot stand much taxation. The state de- 

 riving a direct benefit from the maintenance of forests, should be 

 held to bear part of the tax burden. 



As regards protection from fire, the state of Minnesota, through 

 its fire-warden system, has made a timid step in the proper direc- 

 tion. That amount of safety however, which the owner of the 

 forest requires for it, cannot be secured at the small appropriation 

 set aside for forest protection. Unless the comparatively small 



