St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-23
THE FORESTRY EXHIBIT.
j. o. Barrett Discusses 1t at Some
Length.


"a paper read at the summer meeting of the
State Horticultural society, on the 10th inst,
and published by request of the executive
committee of the Forestry association
Although forestry and horticulture
are inseparable in uses, it is better that
each organization work on its special
line. We who are members of both
have so determined. We should there
fore plan for the success of
both at the worlds fair. In
popular sense forestry is the weaker
of the twins; it should therefore
in justice have some extra attention
from the sister that is stronger and that
has so faithfully carried her brother i'll
her fostering arms. At least the horti-
cultural society should relinquish to
forestry all that legitimately belongs to
1t. Allow me to define where l think
the line of distinction should De drawn
as to what is fOrestal and what horti-
cultural:
By forest fora, l mean not only tim
Der trees for timber purposes, but all
trees that naturally grow in and belong
with the native forest. This is not all.
The shrubs, vines. flowers, grapes,
ferns, ''reeds and rushes o." ana all
other wild negotiations that live in
companionship with the forested trees
belonging in the category of forest
flora, should DO handed over to
the Forestry association. The hOrti-
cultural fruit plants had their origin
in the forest, or were the derivitives Of
the wild. Culture has developed the fit
test" Horticulture is entitled to all the
cultivated plants and fruits for exhibit
ton; but nothing wild from Minnesota.
There now! Horticulture is the more
exalted, more advanced, more enriched
phase of forest flora. i will concede to
her the right of Eden occupancy, and
there she must stay and not steal any
thing that the nymphs and naiads pos
sess in the native woods outside. Let
mistress horticulture be modest and
honest; she has no chance for glorifi-
cation over the wild and native so long
as her highnesS has to fall back to first
germinal principles when her civilizing
process has educed diseased conditions.
If now we understand each other, let
me in brief outline the forestry exhibit
at the worlds fair: We propose to have
specimens of all the principal timber and
ornamental trees OF MinneSOta-an am
pie supply of each specimen and variety
some i'll rough blocks, some polished
and all tastefully arranged. AS sug-
SColCu W Hlc ny y. .. OllllII, VIC Hdu
better have some rare pieces of furni-
ture, such as center tables, floral stands,
bureaus and the like, composed each of
different specimens Of our wood polished
across and with the grain and thus glued
together for variegated surfaces. TO
this end we shall need to enlist the CO.
operation of all the lumbermen, furni-
ture manufacturers. pulp men, vaneer-
ing men, and other wood fac
tory men in the state, to
help furnish something practical
and beautiful, with personal credit to
the donors, of course. 1t occurs to me
that we could have thin sheets Of our
different woods cut into book leaves and
handsomely bound. An imprint can be
made upon the polished side of each
wood and its practical use. After the fair
these should be rendered back to the
state TO be preserved safe for genera
tiOns to come in our library archives.
Also, that we have two monuments, say
fifteen or more feet high, constructed
from blocks of our woods,
carved and polished, round or
square. glued or riveted upon
each other in perfect monument style,
one dedicated to Columbus, lettered
with his dates and discoveries; the other
dedicated to the pioneers of Mime
sofa, their records engraved or
printed OH them, beginning at the
base with the first explorer and
thence upward = Nicolet, Catlin.
and their contemporaries, Renville,
Col. JOnn II. Stevens, and so on to the
end of the chapter; each In his order,
each block symbolic of character as near
as possible. This would be valuable and
venerable monument to be kept in the
house of representatives as perpetual
reminder of the early days of valor and
sacrifice. l also suggest unique cab
met made of our woods in which to eX-
hibit specimens of our forest leaves,
flowers, seeds, etc.
side from all these exhibits, we can
have wild vines arching over water
dripping caves. and grottos; brook,
babbling over bright pebbles and messy
rocks, with lilies and minnows in the
little pools; groups of young, living trees
blu dding, leaving, blossoming, fruting,
birds and BIRDS nests: in the rear, per-
haps miniature log cabin with its
weird and uncouth environment. These
are but some of the ideal scenery to be
added to and varied as the space
and privilege may allow when
we get there. AS suggested by
President Elliot, we also pro-
pose to have large map representing
the zones or belts and groups of our for
est flora-something to study and adj
to study In the future.
For handbook we propose a neat pam
phlet. descriptive of the forest flora of
Minnesota, including our water system
as a factor of growth. 1t is difficult to
put in words what artistic hands can do
in this exhibit to make it equal that of
any other state, if not indeed excel
ling. Let me mention here the
three trunk trees which Minnesota
is to furnish for the grand
colorado to the Forestry building.
These are to be mighty pillars of ash or
maple, oak and pine, and when you
pass them to the Minnesota forestry ex-
hibIt, dotf your hat III joyful reverence.
This will be the royal way of entrance
to our native woods at the Columbian
exposition.
One thing more-the Forestry 'assocla
ton has Just doubled its exhibitional
price, soliciting $4,000. and is willing
to concede TO and work for the Horti-
cultural society to the tune of $4,000,
with S25, 200 in hand, and we all must
help raise it, witha cooperative energy,
we can scientifically and practically adj
vertise our Minnesota before the world,
and demonstrate that in forest flora and
horticultural excellenceS she takes the
prize. j. o. BARRETT,
Sec'y of the Forestry Association.
Modern Chivalry.
Maude (excitedly)- Did you hear the