Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-17

VINO wishes To devote mmSelr, VIII INC CouscA'
of his parents or guardians, to the pursuit OF
forestry. Mathematics pure and mixed, are
taught within the limits to which the appllca-
lions of this science are necessary in the Gull
ture and management of the woods. For In
stance arithmetic. geometry, trigonometry,
and stereometry must all be understood in or
der that u forester may reckon interest on cap
ital invested, determine tho value of given
piece of forest land, measure distances, COM
pute the cubic contents of a group of trees,
and ascertain the annual average increase OF
the same by growth. Natural philosophy, in its
various divisions, is also taught. at least
to the very great extent that knowledge there
of is found to be requisite. The forester must
be instructed in physics, chemistry, min
eralogy, geology, meterology, physiology an
atomy. botany, and zoology, particularly in
ORTHODOXY and entomology 10 these
branches are added the study of civil and
criminal law in its relations to forestry, and al
so tho principles of national economy In the
same sphere. Instruction is given In forest
history, wood planting, with practical illus
| tratiOns) caring for the young growth. modes
of protecting the forests, and of using the tim
ber with excursions to the places where it Is to
| be felled. For the purpose of practical study
| the forest academy at Eisenach has under its
control woodlands in its immediate neighbor-
hood, and also at Wilheimsthal and Ruhla, to
which places excursions are made from time to
| art are illustrated"
| The consul goes ON to state that the
SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT OF THE WOODS
consists in securing an average annual income
continuously; and he shows that the net in
come from the public forests in his district
averages - year per acre. This agrees SUBJ
stantially with results in Sweden, where &C.
cording to good authority, the annual growth
of we'll regulated forests is twenty cords per
acre.
Now right here, lest the superficial should
imagine that the science of forestry and schools
Of forestry are not suited to our form of gov
eminent, let it be answered that they are
found practicable and useful in republican
Switzerland and France, as we'll as in Germany
and Russia in Italy and in Sweden. Happily,
science is independent of forms of govern
ment. Nor is there any principle more firmly
settled in the United States than that the gov
eminent should foster education.
. Some perhaps will be inclined to smile when
they hear the high sounding subjects which are
taught at a. school of forestry. Entomology!
exolaims one, what have we got to do with
that? Yet that is subject on which the people
of Minnesota have expended thousands of dol
lars 1t is the science of Notwithstanding
the grasshopper. Though science employs
vocabulary somewhat Unfamiliar, her objects
are none the less praiseworthy. 1t is striking
the United States, the Smithsonian Institution
at Washington, was founded by the munii-
cence of an enlightened foreigner, James
Smithson. A government, however, like that
of United States cannot afford t. wait FOR
private benefactiOn to render that aid to
science which it ought itself to grant. 1t will
not do So 1t has high and enlightened appre-
citation Of what is due to science as shown by
its coast surveys and its numerous explora-
lions on land and water. Congress appropri-
ated $175, 900 in money, and employed two
public vessels besides, to convey parties for
observations of the transit of Venus in 1874.
The London Times said, referring to this: 1.-THE
United States lead all other nations in respect
both of the amount OF money which her gov
eminent has contributed and of the discomfort
not to say dangers of the stations she has
chosen in the southern seas. = = Posts of
importance which were given up as too hope
lessly miserable even for enthusiastic English
astronomers, will be occupied by Americans"
Thus We see that our country is disposed to be
liberal in her patronage OF science, and that
mankind are quick to notice and acknowledge
all she does in that behalf. Nothing wins SO
much honor for a country as its endowments
for science.
Mr.. James Brown,
LEADING BRITISH AUTHORITY
on forestry, says: ct has become matter of
very considerable Importance to railway COM
panies, miners, and Others who use wood to a
large extent, to adopt some process OF prepar-
ing their timber before they use it." And he
states that this is a subject on which there is
vet great want of correct information"
When we think of the innumerable uses to
which timber is put in the varied industries of
civilization, of the taxation incurred for
bridges, not to speak of the calamities which
occur from ignorance of the quality and
strength of timber, it must be admitted by
everyone that a scientific school designed to
impart instruction in these and kindred mat
tiers would be an important acquisition to our
everyday industrial interests.
But the decisive reason for or against the
endowment Of such an institution is the effect
it can be expected to have on the pine timber
and the waste lands that are only fit for
bearing timber. These lands, as has been
stated, comprise a vast area. Administered &C
cordiug to the practice heretofore in vogue and
Justly characterized by the commissioner of the
general land office as vic eli n wanton, they
are likely to become and remain a mere howl
ing and barren waste. But administered prop.
erly and with due regard to the reproduction of
timber they would become one of the most
valuable resources of the s. ate. Judging from
the ample experience of other countries the
committee are of the opinion that school
of forestry would help very much directly
and indirectly in bringing into practice an
and they therefore recommend the adoption of
memorial by this chamber for the endow
ment of such school.
The committee assume that if an endOw-
ment should be provided for school of forest
ry, all necessary precautions would be taken to
secure an institution of the very highest order
of excellence. That it would be furnished
with every thing needful for its usefulness, and
with instructors of tried and acknowledged fit
ness for their POSITIONS so that the school
would soon take rank with the best schools of
forestry in the world. Your committee would
hope to see at its head some one equal to an
Agassiz.
The average number of pupils attending the
Forest school of Newstadt.E berswalde, near
Berlin, is fifty. seven in the summer and fifty
four in the winter; attending the school at
Tharand, near Dresden, seventy-dve; number
attending the Forest school at Zurich, Switzer-
land twenty-four. (See Hough's Report on
Forestry, GIT, 626)
PINE TIMBER LAND OWNERS
in this State now employ examiners at 8 a day,
besides expenses, to explore, examine, estimate
and report upon the timber thereon, such per-
Sous having no special training or education
in forestry science. Work of this sort re-
auires persons of trustworthy character, and
none should be admitted as pupils to a
school Of forestry who are lacking
in that respect. As the value of pine timber
land increases which it is sure to do, there Can