FORESTRY BUREAU. 



141 



The possibilities and advantages of planting forest trees are good and 

 growing, more especially in the prairie counties. The farmers gener- 

 ally are interesting themselves, and groves of 5 to 25 acres can be seen 

 on" almost every farm. The trees, which are mostly of the soft-wood 

 varieties, are thrifty aud seem to be doing well, and those interested 

 are much encouraged. Much interest is being manifested in black wal- 

 nut, which has almost disappeared from the forests, and which has the 

 preference of all the hard- wood varieties. 



In latter years very little damage has been done by forest fires. 

 Sometimes the sparks from a railroad engine will drop on some com- 

 bustible matter, from which a fire originates, but they are of very little 

 consequence. 



As to what should be done by the General Government for the preser- 

 vation and increase of forests on the public domain but few express an 

 opinion, and even these are varied. One says : 



The State law exempting from taxation for timber-planting is the best. 

 Another says : 



Sell no man more than 160 acres, and compel him to plant a specified number of 

 trees before the title is perfected. 



And says another : 



While Congress shows so little concern for fostering material development no sug- 

 gestion can be made as to the duty of the Government. 



In the matter of the production of mills the reports show that in 

 1882 there were cut into boards and other sawed lumber 296,257,598 

 feet; in 1883, 233,809,139 feet, a decrease of 35,448,459 feet. Laths cut 

 in 1882, 41,834,837; in 1883, 65,374,700, being an increase of 23,539,863. 

 Shingles in 1882, 97,383,223; in 1883, 97,623,250, an increase of 240,027 

 over 1882. 



MINNESOTA. 



It is estimated that about 40 per cent, of the area of the State was at 

 one time in original forest, and that from fully one-half of this the tim- 

 ber has been cut off for lumber, fuel, fencing, and railroad ties. Of the 

 area cut off, about 15 per cent, is in new natural growth and is doing 

 finely. 



There is considerable tree-planting in some of the counties. The ex- 

 periments show that it can be made successful, and the interest in it 

 and the disposition to plant is growing, and the farmers are much 

 encouraged. 



Forest fires have done much damage, but few suggestions are made 

 as to their prevention or control. Some say, however, that cultivation 

 and putting down to grass for grazing are the best preventives. 



The enforcement of existing law is a very general demand in the mat- 

 ter of preservation and increase of forests on the public domain. The 

 views of four correspondents are suggestive, and are copied in full. 

 Says one : 



Laws will not amount to anything in the matter of preserving and protecting for- 

 ests. The people must be educated up to a i>roper standard. 



Says another : 



Let the Government educate foresters as it does soldiers. Put an army of them to 

 grcnving trees on public lands. When lands are sold charge the cost to the purchaser. 

 Forever forbid the denudation of mountain and hill sides at sources of streams, small 

 or great. Wherever climatological science points the way to save the country relaps- 

 ing into a desert, or to prevent the destruction of valleys by inundation, these follow 

 and assert control, national, State, or Territory. 



