Courses in Forestry 



Objects 



In establishing Courses in Forestry in the University of Michigan, 

 in June, 1901, the principal aims of the University were as follows: 



To train young men in forestry. 



To promote forestry in the State of Michigan. 



To assist in the proper care of State Forest lands. 



To care for University Forest Reserves, 



To promote forestry, or the right use and improvement of our 

 forests and woodlands, the University is expected to co-operate with 

 the State Forest Commission in bringing the important subject of For- 

 estry before the people of our State through publication and addresses, 

 and also to assist owners of woodlands with advice and with personal 

 direction on the ground. 



At the present time the State of Michigan has over six million 

 acres of lands which have reverted for non-payment of taxes. A small 

 portion of these lands have already been set aside as forest reserves, 

 and the friends of forestry are urging the immediate increase of these 

 reserves and the establishment of a permanent State forest. Though 

 but five years in operation, the work of the forest reserves is well 

 underway. A "forester" and two regular "forest rangers" watch 

 over the interests of the State and furnish to these wild lands the 

 much needed protection against fire and other injury. In addition, 

 some improvements have been undertaken. Under the direction of 

 the professor of forestry, who acts as "Warden" to these reserves 

 several hundred thousand young trees are planted each year on the 

 denuded "slash" lands, and a nursery has been established in which 

 over two millions of young trees are growing today. The policy of 

 the State as developed so far, is to do two princioal things: 



To give protection to these lands against fire and other injury 

 and thus enable whatever young growth exists, to grow into useful 

 material. 



To improve the lands by actually restocking them with tree 

 growth, re-establish a forest where fires have left a blackened waste. 

 The wisdom of this action has commended itself strongly to the 

 people all over the state, and even in the districts where the reserves 

 are located, the state's policy is meeting with hearty co-operation, so 

 that the continuance of this policy appears assured. 



In the training of men in the work of caring of our woods and of 

 improving the present conditions of our forests and woodlands, the 



