OHJECTS IN STATE FORESTS 87 



own foresters at Mt. Alto ; and proposes to practice forestry. Her 

 laws are good and adequate. But in spite of the excellent efforts 

 of those interested, and those directing the work, the State has not 

 yet begun to treat the matter seriously in any particular beyond 

 permitting and encouraging the practice of forestry. The appropria" 

 tions and the force of men is not 20% of what it should be, if these 

 State lands are to be converted into useful and valuable State 

 Forests, and while the object is clearly stated in law, the legislature 

 has not yet recognized the magnitude and importance of the 

 enterprise. 



Michigan, for decades, had a fine opportunity of gathering up 

 cut over lands, swamp lands, etc. For years she advertised six 

 million acres as tax lands. But up to 1913 these lands were sold at 

 nominal prices. What there is left today as ''State Forests" is 

 primarily areas of poor sandy lands, cut- and burned-over re- 

 peatedly, until they present far more a problem of waste land 

 reforestation than the management of State Forests. In keeping 

 with past policies, the object of holding these lands today is still 

 uncertain. 



Wisconsin, like Michigan, continued in the same policies of .land 

 disposal until 1905. Since then certain areas have been definitely se2 

 aside as State forests ; the policy of selling has been replaced by one 

 of buying lands; forestry is attempted, laws are adequate and all 

 that is lacking, is proper support and appropriation. 



These few cases suffice to show that with our State Forests, 

 the object of holding and the policy of management of the lands set 

 aside for State Forests is still in the formative stage. The subject 

 of State Forestry is by far the most important one before the people 

 of the United States. The value of State Forests is established in 

 Europe ; the object there, in most states, is : 



a. To assure a home supply of timber. 



b. To assure the continued best use of large areas of poor 

 lands, of mountain country, sand plains, etc. 



c. To safeguard proper water distribution. 



d. To maintain the beauty of the land. 



e. To derive an income from these properties for the good of 

 the people. 



