THE annual appropriation of $75,000 for the Minnesota 

 forest service must be increased to $150,000 if timber 

 worth $1,000,000,000 is conserved to the state. This is 

 apparent to those who have made any study of the situation 

 and know the needs existing. The forests of Minnesota con- 

 stitute one of the state's greatest resources one that is in- 

 creasing in value and which will mean employment for armies 

 of men for years to come. 



Good Fortune Came to Minnesota During Seasons of 1911 

 and 1912. 



An admirable organization has been worked out oy the state 

 forester, for protecting the timber, but necessarily it is in 

 skeleton form. If it is to be perfected, an appropriation at 

 least double the present amount, must be made by the Leg- 

 islature. Good fortune dealt kindly with the state during the 

 past two years in limiting the dangerous dry seasons to short 

 periods. But even at this, the forest force was worked to the 

 limit to prevent devastating conflagrations. Had the seasons 

 of 1911 and 1912 been very dry, the forest force would not 

 have been large enough to patrol all the vast forest area or 

 to have protected the cabins and lives of settlers within. 



Patrolmen to look after slash disposal one of the greatest 

 menaces of forests are absolutely essential. Trained men 

 must be employed. As it is now, the appropriation is so small 

 that they can be employed only during the danger season, 

 and must be discharged as soon as it is past, because of the 

 lack of funds to keep them. Still, a danger season can come 

 most any season of the year, when experienced patrolmen 

 are not available. Knowing that they can depend on em- 



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