FOREST POLICY. 



2. Physiography: Undulating prairies. Arkansas River, 

 from Colorado, traverses the western half. 



3. Distribution: A few yellow pines occur in the higher 

 ridges of the western section, which is otherwise treeless, ex- 

 cept for the fringes of poplar and willow in the river canyons. 



The eastern section shows wide belts of hardwood forests 

 along the streams, the best timber being found in the extreme 

 southeast, where the heavy timbered outskirts of the Mississippi 

 River hardwood bottom lands appear. 



4. Forest ownership: About 1,000,000 acres of forest are 

 said to be attached to farms. Not quite 8,000 acres are owned by 

 22 lumber firms, stocked with 3,500 feet b. m. on the average acre. 



5. Use of timber: Lumber industry in Kansas has de- 

 clined since 1880, when 146 establishments were cutting 45,000,- 

 ooo feet b m. of lumber. 



In 1900 there were in existence 54 mills, showing lowest 

 average investment in the United States, namely, $1,070. Value 

 of product, $104,000, against $683,000 in 1880. Log stumpage 

 worth $2.17; logs at mill, $7.84 per 1,000 feet b. m. 



Fuel and fencing are badly required by the farmers. 



Lumber for building purposes obtained from the east and 

 south. 



Paper, pulp and leather industries: None. 



6. Forestry movement: Usual Arbor Day enthusiasm. 

 The State Agricultural Board reports 119,000 acres planted 



in forest since 1884. 



Some of the best catalpa plantations are found on rich 

 prairie soil in Kansas. In 1885 the office of Commissioner of 

 Forestry was created, issuing reports and distributing seedlings. 

 The State Horticultural Society tries to centralize interest in tree 

 planting and issues a Tree Planter's Manual. Kansas City boasts 

 of employing a "Forester." 



7- Laws: Bounty Law of 1868 is repealed. Wilful firing 

 is fined $500. It is the sworn duty of the justices of the peace 

 to bring incendiaries to judgment. 



8. Reservations: 94,732 acres of sandy land, south of Ar- 

 kansas River, are withdrawn from entry to be used for planting 

 trees. No presidential proclamation issued so far. 



9- Irrigation: In the census year 24,000 acres of land were 

 irrigated (2,000 acres from wells). 



32 



