Forestry Bills Now Pending 



THE Legislature is considering some of the most impor- 

 portant forestry measures measures that affect in a 

 material way the future development of the state's sec- 

 ond greatest resource that have come before Minnesota's 

 legislative body in years. The skeleton work of an alert, 

 thorough, systematized forest protective force has been per- 

 fected, a plan for development outlined, and if the lawmakers 

 realize the possibilities ahead, Minnesota will assume and 

 maintain a lead in the nation's great battle to protect and 

 preserve the great forests which have been threatened with 

 destruction. 



To Double the Annual Appropriation for the State Forest 



Service. 



The bill increasing the annual appropriation for the next 

 two years from $75,000 to $150,000 a year, is in, and is being 

 favorably considered. This probably, is the most important 

 bill in so far as forestry is . concerned, as it provides a way 

 whereby the departmental plans may be carried into execu- 

 tion. It will provide means for maintaining a patrol force the 

 year round and the subsequent broadening out of the protect- 

 ive and development scheme. 



Of secondary importance yet of vital interest to the future 

 propagation of forests, is a bill for a constitutional amend- 

 ment to be voted on in 1914, providing for setting aside cer- 

 tain lands for tree-growing lands not suited to agriculture. 

 The ame'ndment, as drawn, says: 



"Such of the school and other public lands of the 

 state as are better adapted to the production of tim- 

 ber than for agriculture, may be set apart as state 

 school forests or other state forests, as the Legisla- 

 ture may provide, and the Legislature may provide 

 for the management of the same on forestry princi- 

 ples. The net revenue therefrom shall be used for 

 the purposes for which the lands were granted to the 

 state." 



