Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-12

creased Appropriation to Be
Asked of Legislature for For
estry Educational Work-The
State Forest Survey, Classify
ing Lands by Productive VAL
ue, Would Greatly Benefit the
Farmer
Washington. Jan. u.-(SpeciaD- The
State of Maine was one of ths Hrst 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 inves-
tigated the Mt katahdin region as a for
est reserve; and had established courses
OF instruction in forestry for the training
Of professional foresters at the State
University. 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 association began TO
diminish, and today 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 poll
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 ne was given charge of all
forestry matters and particularly of the
administration Of the funds raised by the
special tax on the timber land owners
for the protection Of forests from fire
This fund Is levied upon the owners Of
cumberland in unorganized townships
and is not contributed to by the general
taxpayer III any way.
/ There is also the work of public in
struction in forestry for which the Legis-
lature makes but Inadequate appropria-
tons Through this department, the
work Of instruction in forestry is carried
on. not only at the State University, but
also - the Normal schools and colleges
throughout the State, and by means Of a
summer camp course: This latter course
is conducted free of all tuition. and offers
chiefly practical work in forestry meth
DDS in the field for those who cannot
afford the time or the money TO take a
more extensive course Of Instruction
There is also d State forest nursery,
where seedlings are being grown for dis
tr.5ution 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 a minimum. cost
il is with the idea Of extending this
work that The assistance Of strong
state organization VIII be most useful.
The secretary of the Maine Forestry AS
ISOLATION has announced a reorganization
meeting, TO be held al Bangor. in the
Chamber Of Commerce. on Jan. %, at 2
O clock in the afternoon. 1t is sincerely
hoped that This meeting will be largely
attended by those interested in forestry
matters since the meeting promises to be
an interesting one. One OF the important
ItAeit tVtI ~ TX tehiHe4t H' 'liSNN 1Ai1iS
the necessity OF an increased appropria-
tron for carrying on the educational
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 planta-
tions would be Of substantial value
demonstrations of the methods OF meas
uring standing timber. and of scaling
logs both in board foot and cubic foot
units would also prove profitable to small
owners
The area and character OF the SO called
wild lands" which are included in the
Maine Forestry District, are fairly well
known, but little is known of the char
acter and extent Of the farmers wood
lots in this State. A State forest survey,
Classifying all lands as to their greatest
productive value. whether they are best
suited for agriculture or for forestry.
and what the present stand on these
areas is would he Of tremendous value
TO the farmer as well as to the forester.
The planting Of trees in cities and
towns. as well as along the new high
ways now being constructed by the State.
is another problem worthy of serious con-
SIGeratlOn by the association.
It is hoped that ali of the citizens will
see fit TO support this movement, and will
offer whatever help they can towards
stimulating an interest in the work and
making il Of real and practical value.
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES