FORESTRY COMMISSION. 125 



logism; we must recognize as great an importance and value in a deal 

 board, as in a Latin idiom; and when we come to the development of a 

 highly cultivated mind, we must admit the existence of as great value 

 in the things that the child touches in his every-day life, out of which 

 he can develop powers of mind and heart, as can be found in any books 

 which deal with literature, philosophy, or psychology. 



My practical suggestion, out of this is, that our best efforts shall be 

 expended in bringing into our primary schools some method of awaken- 

 ing an interest, and an enthusiasm in the investigation of the merits 

 and details of the forestry movement, and that we shall deal in a 

 simple way with the elements of forestry, that the philosophy and far- 

 reaching influence may follow in the wake of our processes. 



All honor to the men who are willing to make studies of science for 

 its own sake, but Ave must not lose sight of the fact that we are living 

 in this world, and that a life of usefulness is an important factor in 

 getting the largest measure of fruition from our undertakings; that 

 while the "greatest of all knowledge is the knowledge of God, in the 

 development of the highest type of manhood, we must recognize as of 

 infinite importance the solution of the problem of how to leave the earth 

 in better shape, to evolve and support a higher and nobler plan of living, 

 than heretofore existed. 



In the highest expression of loyalty to God, we must not lose sight of 

 service in giving utility to nature's facts and processes in promoting the 

 welfare of the human race. 



Grand Rapids, Michigan. 



THE FENCE POST ARGUMENT FOR REFORESTATION. 



BY HOWARD B. CANNON. 



"The strength of the fence is in the post." Michigan has 165,000' farms, 

 averaging nearly 90 acres in size. To fully fence these would require 

 about 115,000,000 posts. To supply such an enormous amount of timber 

 a vast number of trees must be available. The old board fences are in 

 tatters; the old rail fences are fast being removed to fire the engine or 

 furnish "summer wood." The steel wire fence is coming into its own; 

 but it is of no service unless well supported by substantial posts. Tidy 

 farmers dislike to fasten fencing to trees; nice alignment cannot be 

 effected, and it is of no advantage to the trees to be the target of hatchets 

 and staples. The wooden post so long as it lasts, fills the bill. Cement 

 and steel may displace it eventually — but now the price seems pro- 

 hibitive. If we use desirable timber likely the advantage is with the 

 wooden post; it is relatively so light and handy. 



The use of cedar posts is extending rapidly. The farm wood lots have 

 been in many instances exhausted of suitable post timber so the dealer 

 is asked to make good the deficiency. Oakland county requires some 

 twenty-five car loads of cedar posts a year; and the demand is growing 

 rapidly. The price keeps advancing as the demand grows. What are 

 we going to do about it? Grow our own posts. 



Those who are posted and experienced assure us that an acre of post 



