The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-21
IN. /. MINI. FORESTS
General Warden, Chief Fire War
den Describes Trip Thru Fine
Grain Region.
He Points Out Danger Of It's Fall
ing Into Hands Of Spec
ulators.

The chief forest fire warden, Andrews,
who by law is required to investigate the
forests in the state, furnishes the follow
ing In regard to his trip into northeast
ern Minnesota:
Favored by perfect July weather, my
recent trip into the wilds Of Lake county
was thru region that could well be
called Minnesota's Adirondacks. En-
barking four miles east of Ely, in two
modern canoes with an experienced ca
noeman for each, and with q pho
tographer, the route was via the Casha-
way and Birch rivers, Gabbro and Bald
Eagle lakes, the Isabella river, Lake Bel
tlissima, Elbow and intermediate lakdes,
to Cross river, thence to Its mouth at Lake
Superior traversing parts Of eleven town
ships, five of which are unsurveyed, most
Of the country being in the proposed Lake
Superior forest reserve. The surface is
undulating with elevations varying from
1000 feet to 1900 feet above the sea.
Granite lodges are frequent and granite
and streams. The country generally is a
handsome primeval forest, with some
swamps of dwarf spruce interspersed, the
prevailing kind of trees being spruce, bal
sam, jack pine, white birch, poplar, cedar
and tamarack. There is but little Of white
and Norway pine. Alder bushes abound
in low places and along river and lake
.. l. !,
in the more fertile spots but not frequent
ly. few spruces and cedars were seen
that were a little over two feet in di-
ameter, breast high, but generally the
trees are not of large size so far as could
be judged in travelling many miles thru
the woods in the twenty portages-some
of which on account Of obscure trail, fall
en- trees and labyrinth of roots were diff
cult. Climbing to an occasional height
an extensive view could be gained of the
landscape. The sombre coloring Of conf
ferrous woods was relieved by the lighter
foliage of white birch and poplar, and
the moving shadows cast by the clouds
made an impressive scene.
'tThe region Is rich in lakes and streams
Bald Eagle lake, which Is about three
miles in length and wide In proportion
has such a handsomely wooded slipping
shore and fine islands and looked so cheer
full on the bright summer day we entered
it that thought it's n anne could well be
changed to the lake of smiles. Mellissima
lake is still larger, has more islands anc
is equally as beautiful. There are man,
other large, fine lakes, some OF which arr
stocked with whitefsh.
lover a dozen moose were seen on thu
trip, always near water, and nearly a.
many deer. Also ducks and partridge!
were seen. The country Is fairly wei
stocked with fur bearing animals, such a!
the black bear, martin, lynx, otter, beave
and fox. If set apart as a forest reserve
the region would prove a great game ant
fish preserve and no doubt a favorite re
sort for tourists. There Is any amount o
water power in the rivers, especially il
Cross river, where the spruce could b.
made into pulp.
1.-The forest reserve law encourages tn
| utilization at its fair value of all mer
charitable timber in a reserve, but not TO
| shipment out of the state. 1t also do
mates all the timber that a miner ma
need in developing his mine. If any con
| siderable area of agricultural land is foun
| in forest reserve, it is to be restored t
| the public domain.
"a few good tracts for stock farm
| could probably be found in each township
| but as a whole the country is more suit
| able for forestry purposes than for agri
culture. If it were good agricultural Ian
| it would long ago have been taken 70
4 such purpose Whether it will be, sc
apart as forest reserve will depend on
1 future careful examination by the Unite
| States forestry bureau. If it should nc
! be established as forest reserve just thl
/ thing will happen-the best tracts of tim
| Der will be picked up by spectators unde
the stone and timber act at $3.50 per acr
! and under the homestead law (thru falls
i affidavits) at $1.25 per acre, and then sol
! to logging companies at a very big prof
| It is the speculator only who objects
| the forest reserve"