116 STATE OF MICHIGAN. 



It is a rapid grower, producing 25 foot 5 inch, top poles in about twenty 

 years and its poles are of long life. Catalpa poles and ties are in de- 

 mand and apparently this State cannot consistently delay large efforts 

 in the way of cultivation of the cedar, the catalpa and other trees of 

 equal value. 



It seems to the writer that the future need of its citizens and of its 

 telephone and other wire interests demands that the State, without delay, 

 earnestly consider and actively promote its forest interests for pole 

 and other products. 



October 26, 1904. 



FORESTRY IN BADEN, GERMANY. 



BY ED. H. STEIN, SECRETARY BOARD OF EDUCATION^ GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. 



During a residence of nearly six years in the Grand Duchy of Baden, 

 in southern Germany, the writer had the very best opportunity to get 

 acquainted with a system of forestry and reforestation, which system 

 has been followed for centuries and is probably as nearly perfect as any 

 now known. The fundamental requirement is that the area of woodland 

 shall not be reduced, but shall at all times be kept at the maximum and, 

 if possible, be added to as waste or unused lands become available. 



When it is deemed profitable to cut a section of matured timber (by 

 matured is meant timber like our Michigan forests were when the State 

 was first settled), the trees are carefully classified and the greatest care 

 is taken in felling tliem, the best of them being, sometimes cut out by the 

 roots in order to get the grain of the root growth. Every part of the 

 tree to the very end of the topmost twigs is used either for lumber or 

 fuel. 



When the land is cleared it is at once carefully prepared, by deep 

 cultivation, for replanting, generally for the same kind, or kinds of 

 timber that before grew on it. This planting is done in the most syste- 

 matic manner, everything being closely calculated, taking into considera- 

 tion location, both as to exposure to prevailing winds and as to dry and 

 moist situation. One of these plantations greatly resembles one of our 

 modern nurseries, as the seeds are sown quite thickly, some to be trans- 

 planted, where the species will admit, others to be from time to time 

 thinned out and utilized for poles for grapes, beans or hops. As growth 

 continues this thinning process is carried on yearly, the timber removed 

 being used for rafters, scaffolds and for fuel. So on until the section 

 again matures. 



The writer has in mind a visit made to a section of the Black Forest, 

 lying; nearly opposite to the city of Strasburg, in Alsace. This particu- 

 lar domain is owned by a corporation that -has been in existence for 

 centuries and its franchise gives it the right to use the streams which 

 run through their land for the purpose of conveying the timber product 

 to the Rhine, to be from there rafted to the sea. The management of this 

 corporation is in itself nearly perfection, each department being in the 

 hands of persons especially educated and trained for the work required. 



