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

Andrews Is of the Opinion That
the State Can Best Do It-But
Twenty Years. Supply Standing.
Chief Fire Warden Andrews stated
twenty years supply of white pine
now standing in the state, and there
was a promise that at least a 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 1t is almost totally 1g-
nored by the people Of the United
States Our forests are fast becoming
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 produce
ton Of manufactured lumber.
'"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 100000 600 acres.
Our best white pines have been
growing from 100 to 200 years, although
AiNNSA
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 for 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 Arhor
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.
ct 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 1900 acres of pine
forest, which he wishes to maintain
as a perpetual income yielding forest,
he will according to the forest princi
Piles 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 series Of years the mar
ket for lumber is very favorable, he
may cut good deal mo- than twenty
acres per year, then in a 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 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 a large
size. In this way we could maintain
a continuous and regular forest reVe-
nue., which is the fundamental principle
of forestry.
1.-The state of Minnesota holds about
200,0 900 acres of land, which was for
feited for the non-payment Of taxes,
and which at present is of no use to
any one. From this land the timber
was cut, and being worthless for agri-
cultural purposes, the taxes after
time became delinquent. There are
probably 100000 acres of land in this
state in scattered acres, which is unfit
for cultivation, upon which in it's 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 II in a systematic manner for for
estry. The most Of it undoubtedly will
produce white pine, or some other sort
of profitable lumber.
'It is utterly out Of the question for
individuals to plant this waste land
with forest, but the state can do SO,
and if it would. what a magnificent
revenue it would yie,d in after years."