ests, which were supporting the second largest industry in 

 by thoughtless neglect, when their value could be maintained 

 and greatly increased by proper handling. 



These pioneers in thought soon realized that they were 

 ahead of their times. The mass of the people had not con- 

 ceived these ideas and had never heard of the European sys- 

 tem of forestry. A campaign of education was necessary. 

 And such a campaign could be successfully pushed only 

 through an organization. 



Thus it was and with this object of education in view that 

 the State Forestry Association was formed. Since its organ- 

 ization some twenty-five years ago tremendous strides have 

 been made toward the preservation and more intensive use 

 of our forest resources. The last and most important step 

 was the passage of a law by the last Legislature creating a 

 State Forest Service to protect and develop our forests. This 

 was one of the best laws that has been passed in any state 

 in the Union. It established a state department which will 

 some day control a system of state forests which will produce 

 for the state millions of dollars of revenue from otherwise 

 worthless lands. The proper handling of that department 

 means more to the state than the conduct of any other state 

 department now in existence. 



Laws Must be Drafted to Aid the Service if it Succeeds. 



But the work is only begun. The actions of the service are 

 hindered and restricted by obsolete laws which must be re- 

 pealed and by lack of progressive up-to-date laws which must 

 be passed. Ignorance is the only thing in the way of these 

 legislative measures. The enlightenment of this- ignorance is 

 where the work of the association comes in. Every member 

 of the association should be a center of light and make it his 

 business to spread a knowledge of the needs of the service. 

 The association has accomplished great things in the past 

 and will accomplish more in the future. Yon can't afford to 

 be out of it. Get busy! 



On December 4, 1912, at 1:30 in the Minneapolis court 

 house, we shall hold our annual meeting. Every phase of 



