CHIEF FIRE WARDEN. 41 



of the handsomest pine on lake shores, and that are 

 impressive for their antiquity, will be preserved. The 

 younger growth of forest will be protected ; bare spots will 

 be planted ; a sustained yield and revenue will be main- 

 tained ; yet, in fifty years, the forest in the park will be 

 more valuable and the park itself more beautiful than at , 

 present. If here and there are tracts of good agricultural 

 land, they can be cultivated. The establishment of the 

 park will give a wonderful impulse to forestry and prove a 

 boon to the northwest that few now can realize. We have 

 not, in Minnesota, the White Mountains nor the Catskills, 

 but we have as beautiful pine forests, and as beautiful clear 

 lakes in their midst, as can anywhere be found ; and future 

 genera^tions will reproach us if we allow all of such scenery 

 to be forever ruined. 



Lumbering has been going on in the pineries of Minne- 

 sota for more than half a century. For a number of years 

 back the pine that has been cut each year in Minnesota 

 has averaged in value just as it stood in the woods, #5,000, - 

 000. Fully 1100,000,000 worth of pine has been cut in 

 this state and ^f 2 5, 000, 000 worth more has passed into the 

 possession of private parties. For all this how much has 

 the government of the United States received in money? 

 It is true that some of the pine was granted to railway 

 companies, but all that the United States has received for 

 pine lands in Minnesota does not amount to $7,000,000. 

 Beginning with the year 1849, and up to October, 1897, 

 all that the United States had received for public lands at 

 its land offices at Stillwater, Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud, 

 Taylor's Falls, Duluth, Alexandria, Fergus Falls and 

 Crookston — offices whose districts included all of the pine 

 lands and much agricultural land — amounted exactly to 

 17,286, 599.40! In view of these facts and figures it would 

 seem strange, indeed, and most lamentable, if a little rem- 

 nant of all the great pine forests of Minnesota could not 

 be spared for forestry and for a health and pleasure resort 

 for the people. 



