76 REPORT OF SPECIAL FORESTRY COMMITTEE 



15. With 13,000,000 acres undeveloped in Northern Wisconsin, and 

 three and a quarter million non-agricultural that is 25 per cent there 

 is sufficient land for forestry and yet no dearth of land left to farm. 



16. That there are thousands of acres of lands in Northern Wis- 

 consin which on account of the poor soil and rough nature will not be 

 used for farming in this generation or several to come. 



17. That there is no section of the State where an attempt at re- 

 forestation can produce a quicker illustration of its possibilities. That 

 soil conditions are the very best for a natural reproduction of pine. 



18. That by reason of the miles of old logging grades and the 

 hundreds of lakes an excellent opportunity is afforded for the estab- 

 lishment of a cheap and good fire protection system. 



19. That scattering state lands should be sold and money used to 

 ward the purchase of lands in the proposed permanent reserve. 



20. That the present work of the department be confined to the 

 proposed permanent reserve. 



21. That small forest reserves in several districts are not practical 

 on account of expense of operation. 



22. That the present state lands in the proposed reserve are ample 

 upon which to demonstrate what can be expected in this work. 



23. That much of the present opposition to forestry is occasioned by 

 the demand for lake frontages. 



24. That by reason of the increased demand the inferior species of 

 timber now growing on the state lands will be of inestimable value. 



25. That none of the timber owned by the state be sold until 

 mature or unless there be a real demand for the land for agriculture. 

 That all timber lands should be conserved. 



26. That more recent investigations tend to substantiate the claim 

 that in order to secure a uniform stream flow, the head-waters of our 

 rivers should be protected with a forest growth. That deforestation 

 is conductive to rapid snow melting and stream run-off. 



27. That the lands in the proposed reserve be retained and future 

 purchases be limited to that area. 



28. That agricultural lands, in areas of 1,000 acres or more, now 

 owned by the state be classified and immediately offered for sale to 

 actual settlers. That said lands be sold cheaply, on long terms, at a 

 low rate of interest. Sold under some such provisions as to their 

 occupancy and improvements as now required under the United States 

 Homestead law. In tracts not to exceed 160 acres. In accordance 

 with a bill to be presented. 



29. That fifty per cent of all the frontage on each lake in the 

 proposed reserve be held by the State; that no lake frontage be sold 

 unless classified as of agricultural value and then only to actual settlers. 



