The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-11
OUR STATE FORESTRY LAWS.

Among the minor good things done by the
late Legislature-if. indeed. it should not
be classed among the important ones-was
a further committai of the State to the
policy of encouraging forest culture. The
Legislature of 1899 passed a law providing
that any owner of land in Indiana might
select a portion not to exceed one-eighth
of the entire tract as a permanent forest
reservation, which should be appraised for
taxation at 81 per acre. The land thus re-
served and given the privilege of low ap-
praisement for taxation might be original
forest land or land planted and cultivated
in trees by the owner for a period of three
years. The law prescribed what kind of
trees should be planted and how they
should be cared for. The object of this law
was to encourage the preservation and cul-
tivation of forest trees. 1t Is good law.
The Journal does not know to what extent
ii has been awaited of throughout the State,
but unless county auditors are throwing
obstacles In its way 1t ought to have con-
siderable influence In the way of encourag-
ing forest preservation and culture. Its
in the way of materially reduced taxation
on forest reservations.
The Legislature Of 1901 passed a law es-
tablishing State Board of Forestry and
creating the ONCE of state forester, with
certain powers and duties. The board was
to consists OF FIVE members with a prac-
teal knowledge OF forestry, to be appointed
by the Governor and to serve without COM
pensation. The law made 1t the duty of the
board to hold quarterly meetings and ito
collect, digest and classify information re-
speeding forests. timber lands. forest pres
mend plans and methods for forest preser-
Walton and timber culture and for the es-
adjustment of state forest reserves" and
to make an annual report to the Governor.
The secretary of the board was required to
give his exclusive time and attention TO the
encouragement Of forestry and to collecting
and disseminationg information on the sub
ject. The Legislature appropriated 5000 for
the expenses of the board and $1,000 for the
salary of the secretary. 1t is presumed
that the board has complied with the provi-
sion of the law requiring an annual report,
and it is known that the secretary has been
active and efficient In the performance of
his duties.
In his biennial message to the late Legls-
lature Governor Durbln mentioned forestry
as one OF the matters OF practical impor-
lance demanding the attention of the Leg
islature and recommended that ii "be given
careful thought and elaboration. to the end
that ample means may be provided to en-
able the forestry commission TO intelligent
ly prosecute practical foresty work as in
tended by the law creating the depart
ment."
The late Legislature increased the salary
OF the secretary of the State Board OF For
estry from s1.ao0 to 5000 year and in
| creased the appropriation for the expenses
OF the board. This implies that the Legis-
lature expects the state board TO do its
duty as defined in the law creating it, The
Legislature also passed a BILL which the
Governor has approved. authorizing the
| State Board OF Forestry 10 purchase ZOO
acres OF land for a state forest reservation
laboratory OF forestry demonstration and
state nurseries. The land may be located
in any county o. counties. shall not exceed