44 Eleventh Annual Report 



enter a flooded area for the purpose of spawning, then the later 

 droughts came, which resulted in the death of the young fish and 

 other animal life upon which they feed, until it seems almost use- 

 less to try to replenish streams with fish until a preventative is used 

 for droughts and floods. 



Forestry is now part of our school work, and if we boys and 

 girls band together and properly observe Arbor Day we will be 

 amply repaid in the future with beautiful trees, their shade and a 

 home for our birds. 



CORA E. DOUGHERTY, 



Bedford, Ind. 



Eighth Grade. Country Schools. 



TO WHAT EXTENT SHOULD INDIANA BE REFORESTED? 



First of all, any spot on earth (therefore Indiana) should bear 

 upon its surface all that nature, and by nature we mean the wis- 

 dom of God, endowed it. 



Trees, flowers and grasses are a connecting link between heaven 

 and earth, and where man has intentionally or otherwise robbed 

 the earth of this charm what is more his duty than, so far as is 

 in his power, to replace it. 



Looking at the matter from a purely practical point of view, it 

 is easily seen that the economic value of timber, even in a grow- 

 ing State, is sufficient reason for reforesting the land. 



Men have learned too late that the leaves of the growing trees 

 expire great quantities of water, which taken care of by the sun, 

 winds and varieties of moisture, furnishes to the world the showers 

 which are everything to the vegetation. 



It is said that Indiana soil will grow as good or better timber 

 in accordance as any other State in the Union. 



We can readily perceive the protection which heavy forestry 

 affords our crops from cold waves, droughts and such inconven- 

 iences which are often to be dealt with in this part of the country. 



Where there is no timber, ground ceases to build and improve 

 because of the lack of falling leaves and twigs which from year to 

 year add to the richness of the coat of loam which is so valuable. 



Timber is valuable for fuel as well as building purposes, as 

 we know the coal will soon be gone, as there is but a small quantity 

 at the present time, and fuel will have to be imported, which is 

 a heavy expense to the State. 



