The Ely miner., 1906-07-06
OUR FORESTS.
The Eleventh Annual Report of the
Forestry Commissioner Of
Minnesota.

AS one contribution to forestry the
State of Minnesota annually prints A.
600 copies for free distribution Of the
report Of her Forestry Commissioner
formerly Chief Fire Warden). The
report for 1905 is just printed with
Illustrations and contains summaries
Of forest and prairie fires, review Of
the operation Of the law for preventing
fires. extracts from reports Of fire
wardens, sketches Of forests that have
been investigated including the Burnt
side forest; also, as object lessons in
forestry, practical accounts Of forestry
management in as many as sixteen
different European countries.
Forest and Prairie Fires.
There was dry weather for about
three weeks in the spring Of 1905.
The worst forest fire started within
the city limits of Duluth from clearing
small tract Of land. Reports of fire
wardens show that the number Of
acres (mostly cut over land) burned
over by forest fires in this State in
1905 was 102,968; damage $58,
Number Of acres burned over by prai-
rie fires, 39,449; damage $7,515. A
prairie fire November 14th in the town
Of Esplee in the eastern part Of Mar
shall county burned a little girl return
ing from school so badly that she died
in twenty-four hours. Most fires are
caused by clearing land and burning
meadows. The most ordinary person
ought to know better than set fire in
dry and windy weather. It is a per-
son Of but little conscience who at any
time will set fire and let it run wild.
To kindle fire on or near forest or
prairie land and leave it unquenched
is punishable by fine not exceeding
800 or Imprisonment in Jail not ex-
ceeding three months. Town super
visors, village presidents and mayors
Of cities are fire wardens and are
responsible for the enforcement Of the
law in their districts. If they interest
themselves in their duties (and in
structions are annually sent them by
the Forestry Commissioner they can
be effective in having people exercise
care. The majority Of fire wardens are
attentive to their duties. The State
now pays fire wardens and those who
help extinguish fires for their services
and collects half the amount from the
countries in which the service is rem
dered.
The Commissioner, Gen. C. G. An
drews, says, Considering the great ac-
tivity in our forest regions in the de-
velopment of the country in so many
ways, think we have been very fortu-
nate in the comparatively small num-
Der Of damaging fires that have oc-
CURED. Increased care each year ap-
pears to be exercised"
Losing Time.
While there are about 10000, 900 acres
Of arabic land in Central and North
ern Minnesota not yet under cultiva-
ton, there are fully 100000 acres in
scattered localities of waste, rocky,
hilly or sandy land that is only suitable
for the production of coniferous forest,
and which the State should acquire as
an investment and hold perpetually in
forest. On an average only about 20
per cent Of cut over pine land refor-
ests itself with pine naturally. The
greater part requires artificial plant
ing.
Tree planting can be done only dur
ing few weeks in the spring. Lack
of labor prevents its being done on a
large scale. Consequently a begin
ming should be made without further
delay. The State is losing time. Prog
ress depends on whether the Legisla-
ture will appropriate the necessary
money