Preserving the Wild Life. 



THE problem of non-agricultural lands in Minnesota is an 

 important one. The people of Minnesota should be 

 studying the question from every angle. Careful con- 

 sideration of the matter will show the wisdom of passing the 

 constitutional amendment to be submitted to the people at the 

 next general election providing for the setting aside of non- 

 agricultural lands for state purposes. 



It would be folly to try to raise anything on these lands ex- 

 cept trees. Everyone recognizes the necessity of saving the 

 great forests. The question of water sheds, the preservation 

 of the lumber industry, these things, 'convince people of the 

 necessity of preserving the forests. 



One Real Reason. 



Another reason has been emphasized this past summer by 

 reason of a university expedition in northeastern Minnesota. 

 An account of the work of this expedition appears in this issue 

 of The North Woods. The illustrations are pictures taken on 

 that expedition. The expedition was planned for the purpose 

 of studying Minnesota's wild life. Professor Johnson, in 

 charge of the party, emphasizes the necessity of giving the 

 nonagricultural lands over to forestry purposes when he says 

 that only by so doing can the wild life of Minnesota be pre- 

 served. 



It is surprising to know that much of the wild life is be- 

 coming extinct. A certain species is liable to decrease with 

 hardly any warning. The decrease in the number of beaver 

 is an example. Surely it is worth while preserving the wild 

 life. This can best be done by preserving the forests. The 

 turning over of state nonagricultural lands for forestry pur- 

 poses will be a help in the preservation of Minnesota's wild 

 life. 



