Extracts from T. B. Walker's Address 





T. B. Walker, who stated that he probably owned and con- 

 trolled more timber than any man in Minesota, spoke on 

 forest fire protection. Mr. Walker recommended a careful 

 survey of the timbered regions in order that those lands that 

 are not suited to agriculture or grazing might be turned to 

 forestry purposes. He said in part: 



"If, as the state forestry department believes, it is prac- 

 ticable and of value to turn some of these Minnesota lands 

 that are less valuable for agricultural and grazing purposes 

 into state forest preserves, and to take measures for protect- 

 ing and reforesting lands that will not be troubled w^ith car- 

 rying charges of interest or taxes and such lands to be more 

 serviceable, even to the counties, as a local asset for timber 

 culture than if held open for unprofitable farming purposes, 

 the department will be able to determine the question of 

 properly selecting certain considerable tracts to be secured 

 by the state forestry purposes. 



"I would recommend that a. careful survey of the timbered 



gions of the north half of the state be made and that the 



nd best suited for timber growth and least valuable for agri- 

 ulture be selected and secured by the state for the cultiva- 

 ion of timber. 



"I think the state ought to, by careful examination, deter- 

 mine and then secure such portions of land as will not in 

 general be taken up for agricultural purposes; and where 

 they were formerly timbered lands, they can be obtained from 

 the owners without much expense. 



"I think there might reasonably be placed a moderate tax 

 on the timber lands that are to be protected, this to run 

 until the local settlements and the clearing of the land would 

 be sufficient to protect against any general conflagration." 



A Pennsylvania yuu company is using the waste pieces of black 

 and Circassian walnut, left after veneer cutting, for gun stocks. 



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