The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-04

Ii Calls I'd the urgency OF SOme
Organized Effort to Perpetuate
the Forests of the state-Mr.
Andrews Is of the Opinion That
the State Can Best Do Tt-But
Twenty Years Supply Standing.
Chief Fire Warden Andrews stated
yesterday that there was scarcely
twenty years supply of white pine
now standing in the state, and there
was promise that at least billion
and half Of white pine logs would
be cut in Minnesota during the fall
and winter.
In discussing the matter yesterday,
Gen. Andrews said: "All foreign coun-
tries give a great deal Of attention to
forestry, and it is almost totally 1g-
nored by the people Of the United
exhausted. The pine supply of Mich
igan has entirely run out, and of late
years logs have been exported from
Canada to supply the demand of the
saw mills IN carrying on the produc-
ton Of manufactured lumber.
1.-The white pine, the king of trees, Is
the best timber in the world and is
scattered all over the northern part of
Minnesota in vast areas, covering near
ly 10000, 600 acres.
Our best white pines have been
growing from 100 to 200 years, although
| merchantable pine of not near SO good
| a quality may be grown in sixty years.
Minnesota is one of the richest
| states in the United States in lumber,
yet the great economic principles OF
| forestry are quite ignored in our pub
| lie system of instruction. In Sweden,
| Switzerland and France it is taught in
| the public schools
"The only recognition of the neces-
| sity Cor a care in preserving and pro
! tecting our forests is Arbor day, which
| has a tendency to defraud people of
| their interest in forestry, as the public
| believes when it has observed Arbor
| day that it has discharged it's whole
! duty in the matter. 1t is a fact that
| as far as actual forestry is concerned
| it is a superficial observance, although
| it is supposed to be of benefit in beau
| tifying the villages and cities The
| great benefit which the state derives
| from the proper regulation Of forestry
| and fire protection has already been
| practically demonstrated and has re-
| suited in the saving Of great wealth to
| the state.
"It has been estimated by the best
| authorities that there Is twenty bill
| lion of white pine now standing in Min
| nesota. In protecting the forests from
| fire we also further the growth Of the
young pine, which springs up on the
| bare spots in the forest. The thicker
the growth, the taller the trees grow.
Suppose one owns 1000 acres of pine
| forest, which he wishes to maintain
| as a perpetual income yielding forest,
| he will according to the forest princl-
| pies cut on an average only twenty
acres a year, taking the ripest and
! largest trees and so as to promote
reproduction on the cleared land by
natural seeding from trees left stand
! ing.
But If for a series of years the mar
| ket for lumber is very favorable, he
| may cut a good deal more than twenty
acres per year, then in series of years
| Of poor market, he probably will not
cut any, but will manage so that for
| long period his cuttings will average
| twenty acres a year. AT the end of 100
years the 1000 acres will have been all
| cut, and whoever has the forest then
| will resume the cutting on the twenty
acres that were first cut, and which
| by that time will have grown to large
| size. In this way we could maintain
| continuous and regular forest reve-
nue., which is the fundamental principle
| of forestry.
''The state of Minnesota holds about
| 2000 600 acres Of land which was for
| feited for the non-payment Of taxes.
| anu WHICH at present Is VI IiO use "
any one From this land the timber
was cut, and being worthless for agri-
cultural purposes, the taxes after a
| time became delinquent. There are
probably 100000 acres of land in this
state in scattered acres, which is unfit
! for cultivation, upon which in its pres
ent condition no taxes will ever be paid
to the state. Much Of it is now held
by the general government, which
would no doubt relinQuish it's claim to
! the state upon it's undertaking to util-
| ize it in a systematic manner for for
estry. The most of it undoubtedly will
produce white pine, or some other sort
OF profitable lumber.
ut is utterly out Of the question for
individuals to plant this waste land
| with forest but the state can do SO,
and if 1t would, what a magnificent
revenue it would yie.d in after years"
July Library Statistics.
The library board held short session yes
terday afternoon, and after approving the
minutes Of the last meeting and passing a
| bunch of claims adjourned
The report of the librarian for July showed
! ,S26 books issued of which number II 165
were for home use and 2,6S1 in the reference
| rooms. The visitors to the reading room
| Sundays numbered 239 and to the reference
! room the same days eighty. New registra-
| lions during the month were 213 of which
| 80 were males and 1873 females. The regis
number entitled to draw books Aug. 1 was
| 1894.
Como Parks Attraction.