the forests as a field from which successive crops of timber 

 are produced, nor its importance in maintaining conditions 

 favorable to the existence of big game and game fishes. The 

 game animals and fish in their present abundance attract 

 thousands of people from outside the state and bring a large 

 revenue to our citizens. Then, too, the forests are an im- 

 portant influence upon the climate of the state, and in regu- 

 lating stream flow. Minnesota is rich in streams used for 

 navigation and waterpower, with enormous possibilities for 

 future development. 



Minnesota's immense forests, so long regarded as inex- 

 haustible and as requiring no attention save in selfish exploit- 

 ation, are now becoming a matter of more general interest. 

 Their protection and their conservative, rather than wasteful, 

 development are seen to be a necessity. 



Minnesota's voters, partially awakened to forest needs, au- 

 thorized the pasasge of a law in 1911, permitting the syste- 

 matic care of their forest resources in the future. By its pro- 

 visions, the present Minnesota Forest Service was created and 

 an organization effected. It provided for a Forestry Board 

 of nine members, selected by the several representative so- 

 cieties and organizations of the state. The Forestry Board 

 selected a Forester, in May, as their exectuive agent. An 

 assistant to the Forester was chosen, and the two undertook 

 at once the important duty of selecting a force of District 

 Rangers and Patrolmen from the large number of applicants. 

 In this great care was observed, because of the important 

 nature of the duties involved. Every applicant was subjected 

 to a personal examination by them. Personal characteristics, 

 experience, and woods training, as well as executive ability, 

 were the determining features in the choice of men. 



