20 ANNUAL REPORT OF 



the forest would be increasing in value. The science of 

 forestry as practised for a century in various German^nd 

 other states of Europe shows this to be absolutely certain. 



The secret of forestry is that coniferous trees, such as 

 the pine, take from the soil only a twelfth part of mineral 

 substances that are required for field crops. Pine forests 

 will yield a steady net revenue of three per cent on land 

 that is not fit for agriculture. Minnesota has taken but 

 one step in scientific forestry — the endeavor to protect the 

 forest from fire. There are four leading principles of 

 forestry. Forests should occupy only non-agricultural 

 land. When young it should be crowded to promote 

 height growth. It should be treated as an inviolable 

 capital and no more be cut in a series of years than equals 

 the general increment for the same period. The cutting 

 should be done so as to promote natural seeding. These 

 principles apply to normal forests. 



In a primeval forest of mostly trees that have ceased 

 growing, and therefore have ceased to earn revenue, the 

 cutting may be as rapid as the market will justify. For- 

 estry makes no objection to the lumberman cutting ripe 

 trees, but it objects to his terrible neglect in leaving so 

 much material for fire. It is certain that forestry would 

 make our state richer, healthier and handsomer. The 

 state should acquire possession of the non-agricultural 

 land and put it in forest. 



WHAT IS FOREST PRESERVATION ? 



Forest preservation is a term liable to be misunder- 

 stood. It does not mean that full grown trees in a forest 

 shall be spared from the axe. It means preserving the 

 forest from fire, from ruthless waste, and that a chance 

 be given for natural forest regeneration. A forest that is 

 mature has ceased to grow. It is no longer an interest 

 yielding capital and should be cut as fast as the market 

 will justify. 



