The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-25
been lost sight of in the interest that ha
centered In the later law.
TWO T50ITSAND ACRES

teen lost sight OF in the interest that has
rentered in the later law.
TWO THOUSAND ACRES
The bill. passed by the General Assem-
bly,. authorized the purchase OF two thou
sand acres for the State at a price not ex-
ceeding IS per acre. the appointment of a
superintendent for the same, and its i'm
provement for the purpose of tree culture
and general forestry. The land was select
ed In Clark county. about twenty miles from
Jeffersonvile. Fourteen hundred acres are
covered with second growth of native
hardwoods, the standing timber being worth
now more than three times the cost of the
entire purchase. George II. Barnett. of Lo-
gansport. was appointed superintendent of
the reservation. and lives on the land, de-
voting his entire time 10 the work.
As a state park this reservation is most
attractive. All underbrush, dead and de-
fectfve growths and unsightly debris was
removed during the summer, the ground is
cleared for the growth of grass, and the
growing timber Is trimmed, thus opening up
shaded vistas to the visitor and inviting him
to further wanderfnss among the wooded
hills. A climb to the summit OF Grand View
knob reveals % the eye the entire confines
OF the reservation, and. beyond, four coun-
ties OF Indiana. two Of Kentucky and be-
tween them the Ohio river winding like
silver thread through the hills. A great
deal of historic interest is attached to the
land. Originally it was granted to George
Rogers Clark for his services at vincennes
and in opening tie Territory of Indiana to
settlement Later il became the property of
Captain Helm, one of the principal charac-
tiers in "Alice of Old vincennes" 1t was
the scene OF the Pigeon Roost massacre,
whose horrors are to be commemorated by
q shaft erected by the State. as provided by
the last Legislature. On the reservation is
situated the famous Spiancop hill, a mon
arch Of the hills. named after a once famous
Indian scout Of pioneer days.
WORK ALREADY DONE.
The work carried on by Mr.. Freeman
and his assistants has been in the thinning
of the timber and the construction of roads
through the reservation for public travel.
Every effort is being made to improve the
land along the most modern lines and make
1t Of the largest possible value to the State
as modern timber farm, as a nursery for
the best trees, as place for practical for
estry and as profitable investment of the
funds expended. 1t will be a station for
estry and where the actual processes OF
arboriculture may be seen at different
stages. Any land owner OF the State may
there obtain the best advice as to the ia
vorable treatment OF his land. it's SOIL loca-
ton and condition. and if he desires may
get there the young seedlings with which
10 do his planting.
Fully 90 per cent OF the wood used in
IND
other States. This. and the further fact
that the supply is rapidly dwindling away.
gees to show that forestry is necessary and
should have been taken up years ago. New
York and Pennsylvania expend annually
$4,000 on their forests. The work is there
fore most important and being in the hands
OF competent men 1t should in time show
results OF which the State will be proud
Secretary Freeman spends a great deal
OF his time on the reservation. overseeing
the work and studying the conditions of the
timber and the soil. He is very enthusi-
ssf1c over the results and believes that In
diana is doing some OF the best forestry
work IN the country.
TALK WITH SECRETARY FREEMAN.
In speaking of the reservation Mr.. Free
man says:
THE Indiana forest reservation and ex-
perimental station OF forest culture is be-
coming object OF general interest TO
the people I'm all parts OF the State. Every
week finds many visitors at the reservation
and many inquiries by correspondence. 1t
Is having q good influence on the advance
ment Of the value OF real estate and the
general Improvement OF the surrounding
community. Aside from the interest II at
tracts because of the sympathy for for
estry. the site has many beautiful landscape
views and historical connections which
add 70 fits value and destined purposes.
These qualities have been given previous
uesgDapsr esumspt The convenience Of