AMERICAN FORESTRY 737 



:^TtS SAY OF THE FORESTRY SITUATION THERE 



and other products of the forest. It has been reliably stated that the average Wis- 

 consin farm uses 2,000 board feet of lumber per year. As we have within our bord- 

 ers over 200,000 farms, it would require at least 400 million board feet of lumber 

 per year to take care of our agricultural needs alone. We are rapidly expanding 

 in an agricultural way, so that our demands on the forest are not apt to decline, 

 in spite of the many substitutes that are replacing the use of wood. 



Our forest supplies are steadily being depleted. We have in Wisconsin millions 

 of acres of wild land, much of which is suited for fine farms, and which is being 

 taken up rapidly for such purposes, but there are other large acreages which are 

 better suited for the growth of our most valuable native timber trees. Every acre 

 of Wisconsin land not farmed or being cleared for farms is well adapted for grow- 

 ing the timber supplies that will be needed in the future for our industries, farms, and 

 the comfort and well being of our population. It is particularly necessary to pro- 

 tect from fire the thousands of acres now coming up to young timber, and to so man- 

 age the cutting of our virgin and second growth forest areas as to insure a new 

 stand of timber until such time, at least, as these lands are more urgently needed 

 for other purposes. 



Wisconsin possesses many recreational advantages and it is well not to lose 

 track of the value of trees and areas of forest lands in setting off our lakes and 

 streams to the best advantage. Wooded shores are preferable to cut-over and 

 desolate water frontages. Areas of woodland here and there offer added attractions 

 to our summer visitors. Shelter and protection are also afforded all forms of wild 

 life. Proper recognition of forest areas surrounding our inland lakes, along our 

 streams, and flanking the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, will very materially 

 assist us in increasing our importance as a great playground. 



We cannot expect to go ahead cutting into our original timber supplies forever. 

 Constructive methods and correct forestry practices must be brought into play, so 

 that definite provision for renewal of supply may be assured. The forest in Wis- 

 consin has always been of importance, and our location and logical development 

 indicates that the forest will continue to be one of our major resources. The State 

 must deal with this resource and with problems affecting it in some proper way. 



HON. A. J. GROESBECK 



Governor of Michigan 



OF paramount necessity to the State itself as well as of vital economic value 

 to the nation, Michigan must formulate a definite forestry program. To me, 

 as chief executive of this State, the accomplishment of such a program will be one 

 of the most gratifying of my ambitions. 



Such a forestry program to be workable and practical must take into consid- 

 eration the rights of our citizens. Such a program must be built upon a founda- 

 tion that will insure the rehabilitation of the thousands of acres of devastated and 

 idle lands now within our confines. It must be alike fair to the property owner, 

 the timber operator, the community and to the citizens of this State. It must be a 

 program that will encourage private reforestation as well ,as the community spirit. 

 It must be a program that will grow trees that will bring back to the State and 

 nation at least that part of its protective forest growth that will insure the perpetu- 

 ity of the fertility of our lands, the conservation of our waters and the redemption of 

 our wood-working industries. 



Michigan must and will have a comprehensive, workable, forestry program. I 

 hope for this during my administration. 



