"Forest culture is a long-time proposition. Sometimes it 

 may be made to yield some returns in ten years, but for the 

 most part it is another generation than that which undertakes 

 it that must reap the benefit as far as lumber product is con- 

 cerned. But there are other reasons why reforestation should 

 be undertaken at once. While there is little or no evidence 

 that forests have any influence upon rainfall, they do have 

 some effect upon the climate and are of very great value in 

 retaining and distributing the waterfall. So for the sake of 

 the immediate future, the waste land should be reclothed with 

 trees ; and for the sake of the next generation and of the 

 State, whose life is measured by centuries instead of years, 

 forest culture should be practiced. 



"The individual with proper encouragement could do some- 

 thing to this end, but the State can do more. All lands that 



come into its possession better suited for timber growing than 

 for agriculture, should be devoted to that purpose. Fires 

 should be prevented, natural reseeding should be assisted, and 

 where necessary artificial planting may be practiced. The 

 expenditure and the skill required must be backed by an 

 awakened public sentiment. Much has been done in Michigan 

 already in this direction. There have always been some few 

 individuals who have concerned themselves with these mat- 

 ters, but now the people at large are beginning to see, though 

 as through a veil, darkly, that here is a matter of vital import- 

 ance to them and to their children. By all means uphold the 

 hands of the State government, of the Forestry Commission, 

 and of every means set on foot to promote public interest in 

 the subject and to accomplish something worth while for the 

 lasting benefit of the State." 



25 



