UP in the forests at the headwaters of the great Mis- 

 sissippi, in Itasca State Park, the junior students of the 

 college of forestry, University of Minnesota, have already 

 taken up their summer's work. The junior class is required 

 to spend the summer at the branch school located there. 



The forestry board has permitted the college to establish a 

 school within the confines of the park, feeling that the state 

 would get as much benefit from having it there as the students 

 receive from being permitted to study in that region. The 

 heads of the school have no authority in the management of 

 the park, but their advice is often sought by the superintendent 

 in charge. 



An Effective Fire-Fighting Force Provided. 



So far as Itasca State Park is concerned, the coming of the 

 students each year means much. In that great forest area 

 fires are often started. What better protection could be found 

 than 15 or 16 young men under the direction of expert for- 

 esters? The young foresters make up one of the most effective 

 fire-fighting forces in northern Minnesota. If the fire is in 

 the immediate locality of the park, the settlers can go on with 

 their own work, knowing full well that the fire-fighters will be 

 at work. It is only as a last resort that the settlers themselves 

 are called in to assist. It is of the greatest importance that the 

 forests at the source of the "Father of Waters" be protected. 

 The first aid in such protection is the presence of a well 

 trained, efficient fire fighting force. Such a force is furnished 

 by the presence of the school of forestry in the park during the 

 season when fires are most likely to start. 



Important as is the necessity for fire protection, there is still 

 another type of protection that comes in for a full share of 

 attention. The fires destroy in a day but insects and tree 

 diseases will just as surely destroy in time. 



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