332 



FORESTRY IN THE STATES. 



and Western Kansas" Prof. Dickens asserts: "Since the 

 prairie fires have been restricted and the fuel need of the set- 

 tlers supplied by the coal miner and freight car, the area of 

 natural timber has increased at a most gratifying rate. Thirty 

 years ago the Arkansas west of Hutchinson, and its tributaries 

 from the south, were practically devoid of trees. Today there 

 are many acres that are under forest conditions and the forest 

 area is increasing." 



The conclusion is reached in this report that fires have had 

 much to do in the formation of treeless regions and that if 

 proper attention is given to soil preparation, selection of 

 species, and condition of tree when set, plantations will be sue 

 cessful in nearly all locations. 



A Division of Forestry under direction of the Board of 

 Regents of the Kansas State Agricultural College was estab- 

 lished by Act of Legislature in March, 1910. The new law 

 provides for a State Forester, Assistant Forester and Assistants 

 in charge of the forestry stations at Dodge City and Ogallah. 

 The State Forester's duties are prescribed in the following 

 sections of the law : 



/ "Section 1. For the promotion of forestry in Kansas 

 there shall be established in the Kansas State Agricultural Col- 

 lege, under direction of the board of regents, a division of for- 

 estry. The board of regents of the Kansas State Agricultural 

 College shall appoint a state forester who shall have general 

 supervision of all experimental and demonstration work in 

 forestry conducted by the Experiment Station. He shall pro 

 mote practical forestry in every possible way, compile and dis- 

 seminate information relative to forestry, and publish the re- 

 sults of such work through bulletins, press notices, and in such 

 other ways as may be most practicable to reach the public, and 

 by lecturing before farmer's institutes, associations and other 

 organizations interested in forestry. 



"Sec. 2. The state forester shall employ, under direction of 

 the board of regents of the Kansas State Agricultural College, 

 such assistants, who shall be practical foresters, laborers and 

 clerks, and shall purchase necessary office furniture and equip- 

 ment as may be needed to carry into effect the purpose of this 

 act. 



