

IT is well, at times, to stop in the work we are doing long 

 enough to "take stock," to see just what we are accom- 

 plishing, just the direction in which we are going and 

 the distance still ahead before the goal is reached. 



In 1911 the state legislature created the present state for- 

 est service. An efficient service had been needed for a long 

 time. Earnest men had been working to save the forests of 

 the state, but they had been hampered by lack of funds, organ- 

 ization and m.en, the real requisites that go to make up an 

 efficient state forest service. The forest law of 1911, made 

 the present service possible. The disastrous fires at Spooner 

 and Baudette, no doubt, did much to arouse public sentiment 

 in favor of the new law. Something was needed. The leg- 

 islators saw what it was. 



Not Merely Fire Fighters. 



The old idea that a state forest service was simply a big 

 fire fighting machine has been rapidly dispelled. Many citi- 

 zens of the state still have the idea that all that forest rang- 

 ers have to do is to fight fires. 



First of all, came the precautionary measures to prevent 

 the fires. The aid of the railroads had to be enlisted. For 

 the most part the roads have complied willingly. They have 

 put in spark arresters, they are helping to patrol their rights 

 of way, they have kept their rights of way clear. 



The lumber companies had to be taken into account. The 

 slashings left after the cutting had always been a menace. 

 The proper disposal of slash became one of the chief things 

 the forest ranger had to look after. The timber cutting com- 

 panies must dispose of their slash properly. It is up to the 

 forest ranger to see that it is done. 



The building of trails to make access to dense regions 

 easier, had to be started. The forest rangers have super- 

 vised this work. Then, too, telephone lines, to make com- 



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