interest in forestry because a large proportion of the state 

 lands are non-agricultural in character. 



The proposed amendment would make possible the better 

 use of lands not suitable for farming. In other words, it 

 would make of them state forests, from which large and con- 

 tinuous returns would be coming to the school fund. No one 

 who has given this subject study can doubt that we have lost 

 and are still losing millions of dollars through not following 

 a business policy with regard to the lands suitable only for 

 timber production. 



The constitutional amendment would correct this. It would 

 give rise to permanent industries and homes in large districts 

 where otherwise these are impossible. It would give rise to 

 increased revenue for the school fund, and would bring about 

 many other beneficial results of far-reaching importance to 

 all of us. 



We ask, therefore, that every citizen awake to the neces- 

 sity of our adopting this amendment next fall. We are all 

 interested in this matter. The taxpayer is interested because 

 he wants the school fund increased without his direct con- 

 tribution; the farmer is interested because he wants increased 

 markets for his produce in the camps and mills; the sports- 

 man who wants to see big game persist in the Northern 

 woods, the lumberman who wants to continue in business, 

 ill are interested. 



It is our duty, between now and next fall, to make it clear 

 to every voter in Minnesota just what this amendment means. 

 Briefly, its object is to make possible the retention of such 

 lands now owned by the state as are unfit for agriculture, 

 and to put this land to its proper use that of forestry. There 

 is no question but what the poorest rocky lands and the deep- 

 est sand soils owned by the state will produce a good rev- 

 enue growing timber. Such lands, of course, are unprofitable 

 to the farmer. It remains for the voters next fall to say 

 whether they want these light or rocky state lands to be 

 made continuously productive as state forests, or to remain 

 in the market as farming land, a snare and a delusion, a 

 detriment to the settlement and development of the really 

 good land in adjoining districts. 



