Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-01-20
FOREST CONSERVATION.
Plans for Reorganization of Marie
Forestry Association.

Forestry Association.
Maine was one of the first states to
show an active interest in the protection
OF forests and forest conservation. Many
years before the work was SO general,
Maine had established an organized sys-
TEN of forest fire protection; had investi-
gated the Mt. Kstahdin region as a forest
reserve; and had established courses of
instruction in forestry for the training OF
professional ioresters at the State univer
sity.
This State also organized one of the
earliest OF the State forestry associations,
which accomplished much during the
period OF its activity. 1t seemed that for
the time being, all that could be expected
had been accomplished, and consequently
active interest in the affairs of the sssocia-
ton began to diminish, and to-day many
other states with far less forest area, have
larger and more active associations.
The general welfare Of the whole State
is so intimately connected with the well
fare OF the forest, that it is OF the greatest
importance that the forest policy be a
wise and practical one.
The following offices and institutions
have already been organized to direct and
control the forestry work:
The Office OF the forest commissioner
was added to that OF the State land agent,
and re was given charge OF all forestry
matters and particularly of the admins
tration of the funds raised by the special
tax on the timberland owners, for the
protection OF forests from fire. This fund
| is levied upon the owners OF timberlsnd
in uncrganized townships, and Is not con-
tributed to by the general taxpayer in
any way.
There is also the work of public instruc-
| tion in forestry for which the legislature
makes but inadequate appropriations
Through this department, the work Of in
struction in forestry is carried on, not
only at the State university, but also at
the normal schools and colleges through
out the State, and by means Of q summer
camp course. This latter course is con-
Quoted free Of all tuition, and offers chiefly
practical work in forestry methods in the
field for those who cannot AFFORD the time
or the money to take q more extensive
course OF instruction.
There is also q State forest nursery,
where seedlings are being grown for dis
tribution at cost to prospective planters
of forest land in the State. Through this
nursery owners may avail themselves of
native grown, healthy stock for planting
waste lands, at minimum cost.
1t is with the idea OF extending this
work that the assistance OF a strong State
organization will be most useful. The
secretary OF the Maine Forestry associa-
tion has announced q reorganization
meeting, to be held at Bangor, January
hoped that this meeting will be largely
attended by those interested in forestry
matters. The meeting promises to be an
interesting one.
One OF the important matters to be
taken up is the necessity of an increased
appropriation for carrying ON the educa-
tionai work in forestry. This will be used
chiefly in extension work among the
farmers and wood-lot owners. There
should be demonstration wood-lots in
every county OF the State showing the
results Of trimmings and other cultural
measures. In this way the practical ad-
vantages of forestry for wood lots can be
most forcibly demonstrated.
Sample plantations should also be
established, and practical instruction be
given in the planting OF forest trees.
Records of the growth and development
Of these plantations would be O. sub
stantial value. Demonstrations Of the
methods Of measuring standing timber,
and OF scaling logs both in board foot and
cubic foot units would also prove profit
able to small owners.
The area and character Of the So called
'swild lands" which are included in the
Maine forestry district are fairly well
known but little is known OF the charac-
ter and extent of the farmers wood lots
in this State. A State forest survey, clas-
styling all lands as to their greatest pro-
ductive value, whether they are best
suited for agriculture or for forestry, and
what the present stand on these areas is,
would be OF tremendous value to the
farmer ss we'll as to the forester.
The planting OF trees in cities and towns
as well as along the new highways now be-
ing constructed by the State, is another
problem worthy Of serious consideration
by the association.