46 REPORT OF SPECIAL FORESTRY COMMITTEE 



norway pine are springing up. If these can be kept 

 free from fire and protected from the other natural 

 ravages of the elements it will not be many years 

 before the covetous eye of the woodsman will 

 again turn to this district. It is well known that 

 in a few years these little stands of natural repro- 

 duction will reseed the other areas. This is especi- 

 ally true on the light sandy soils where the white 

 and norway pine seed have such a splendid oppor- 

 tunity to germinate. Where some of the smaller 

 pine were left by the loggers, they have scattered 

 seed over large areas. Where fire has not reached 

 some of the growths are beautiful. A few years of 

 fire protection and the results will be worth while. 

 In addition, too, this territory was logged by rail. 

 Miles and miles of railroad grade have been con- 

 structed through the territory. These can be quickly 

 converted into most excellent roads and fire lines. 

 There is no place where a cheaper system of fire 

 protection can be inaugurated. 



Furthermore by reason of the hundreds of lakes 

 the opportunity for the construction of fire lines 

 between them, a most unusual opportunity is afforded 

 in the blocking out of forest areas and the confining 

 of fires to limited districts. 



The system of protection from forest fires in Wis- 

 consin is not new or untried. The methods are those 

 found to be most effective by National and State 

 organizations. The Western Forestry Conserva- 

 tion Association, the States of New York, Pennsyl- 

 vania and Minnesota, and the National government 

 protect their standing timber by the same methods. 

 It has proven successful and is in operation by 

 many private associations holding timber land. 

 Wisconsin's system was established in 1911 and no 

 areas of any extent in the district covered have been 

 burned. The largest area under immediate super- 

 vision and protection which has been burned over 

 since this system of protection was inaugurated 

 does not exceed ten acres. 



The forestry holdings now consist of 327,450 acres 



