FORESTRY COMMISSION. 63 



envv by tlieir neighbors. There are good things in Kansas and Nebraska, 

 but timber, forests, trees, are not among them. We may lack some things 

 That are desirable that they on the prairies possess, but we have an inesti- 

 mable blessing that they have not in onr trees and woodlots. Then let ns 

 appreciate this great advantage and preserve our forests — our woodlots — 

 or trees, and multiply and restore them to our own advantage, to the 

 blessing of onr children and those who are to come after us. 



TWO LESSONS IN FORESTRY. 



GIVEN BY DR. AV. J. P.EAL, AGRirULTUItAL COLLEGE, MICHIGAN, AT THE WEST 



iirCHIGAN STATE PAIR. 



The newer portions of ilichigan have suffered terribly and often from 

 forest fires. Think of the fires in Sanilac and Huron counties, and more 

 recenrly the burning of Ontanagon, with a loss of over |3, 000,000, to say 

 nothing of numerous smaller fires. Even in our beech and maple woods 

 at the Agricultural College fires have several times in recent years burned 

 over portions of the lancl enough 1o kill to the ground much of the very 

 .Aoung growth. These woods are much frequented by all classes of per- 

 sons, including students, and are more exposed than most forests in 

 Southern iMichigan. 



On account of danger from fli-es, I have never fully satisfied myself that 

 it would be safe and profitable for a person to attempt to grow timber in 

 large areas in the newer portions of the State. The great mass of people 

 are careless about fire in the woods, especially if the woods belong to the 

 other fellow, or to the State. Still, in some way, improvements in man- 

 aging forests should by all means not be neglected. This is very prop- 

 erly work for the State to undertake, especially on her own lands. Let 

 the farmer begin to put into practice good management of his woodlot. 



I began to talk and write about forestry in Michigan thirty years ago, 

 and I began planting twenty-seven years ago, but I am inclined to think 

 my efforts have availed very little. 



You have heard much in general about forestry, and much less that is 

 specific and definite for the people to apply. In the few minutes at my 

 disposal, I shall try hard to give you something specific, hoping that 

 many of you will get some good out of it. My main point is to induce 

 some of the most sensible of your number not only to listen, but actually 

 to begin some work in the line of forestry. 



A beginner should start in on a small scale, like the man who finally 

 succeeds in making good plows, stoves, or in selling dry goods. I will 

 talk first of tlie management of the reserve woodlot. In most cases, this 

 lot has received no care Avlmtever. In early days this woodlot was most 

 likely completely surrounded by forests of tall trees that were perpet- 

 ually dying, to be followed by new growth. When a forest is cut away, 

 leaving a woodlot, the tall trees near the margins of the reserve will be 

 more exposed to sun, A\ind and insects, they will grow slowly and begin 

 to die. Borers and woodpeckers come with such exposure. With more 

 light, grass encroaches on the woodlot; wind blows away the dead leaves; 



