The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-09-28

authority of congress approved June
Z, 1924. The act authorized the sec
rotary of agriculture to acquire areas
of land or land and water, from Waba-
sha south to Rock Island on either
side of or upon islands in the Missis-
sippi which are subject to overflow
by it, are not used Tor agriculture and
suitable for the purposes of the act.
Twin Cities Forest Proposed
1.-The Quetico-Superior reserve is
contemplated by the Shipstead-New
ton bill now before congress. Under
this bill an area in northeastern Min
nesota including lands and waters adj
jacent to the Canadian boundary,
would be set aside for forestry and
recreational purposes and be admins
tered with Quetico- Provincial park in
Ontario as an international play
ground. The purpose of the bill is to
preserve a large area Of the most
beautiful part of the wilderness in it's
primeval condition with its wonders
of lands, timber and water un-
spoiled.
Minnesota should encourage these
and similar projects, urging increases
in their number and in their areas
and helping the federal government
when, where and as assistance is
desired. At present, aid is desired in
acquisition and administration.
Acquisition
1.-The state should cooperate with
the federal forest service in a mu-
tually agreeable program looking to
all desirable consultations of the
holdings of each, through such sale
or exchange as constitutional and
legal provisions permit.
State owned lands within or ada
cent to national forests, recreation
and wild life reserves should be adj
ministered in the same manner and
in accordance with the same plan as
the federally owned lands. When
feasible, administration should be un-
der cooperative arrangement to re-
duce expense and labor.
1.-The forest problem is as much 10
cal as national. Counties and NUM-
palities should be empowered to ac-
quire and maintain local forests in
the same manner and for the same
purposes as other forests. An addi-
tional incentive is the threatened fuel
shortage which has confronted south
ern Minnesota twice in the last de-
cade. Opportunities for local forests
are found in two Twin Cities, areas
little used and of little value for ag-
riculture, but cheap, accessible and
suitable for st Paul or Minneapolis
municipal forest. For an example,
note the Hinckley fine sand area of
Anoka county.
Encourage Private Forests
Minnesota should encourage pri-
vate forests and private ownship of
forest lands for growing timber
crops for commercial and other pur-
poses. 1t should foster private own
ership by more equitable adjustment
or the tax burden adequate fire pro-
lection, and counsel and assistance in
improving quality and quantity of
timber, forest planting stock of good
quality at reasonable prices through
either state or commercial forest
nurseries. The state should eneour-
age establishment and maintenance
Of farm wood lots for timber and
other purposes on Minnesota farms.
"The objects of state forests are in
many respects. the same as national
forests: Primarily to grow timber
crops, producing timber of larger size
and better quality than will ordinarily
be grown by private forests with their
shorter rotation, increasing and i'm
proving production on permanent
trust fund lands for the enrichment
oil said funds and the advancement
OF education and charity; secondarily
to serve as object lessons in sound
forestry and exemplify good forest
practice, to prevent floods and ero-
sion, protect water sheds, preserve
water supplies, conserve coverts and
food and afford sonctuaries for wild
life, preserve scenic beauty and pro-
vide public recreation places.
permanent state forests should
comprise solid blocks of contiguous
tracts large enough to make admin
istration effective and inexpensive and
timber crops worth while, small
enough to permit proper supervision.
or if desired, subdivided for the lat
ter purpose.
Permanent state forests should not
be confined to three or four coun-
ties. They should be established
wherever proper land classification dis
closes tracts of sufficient size, better
suited to forestry than agriculture or
other use. To illustrate two POSSIBLE
tiles are suggested: Eastern Pine
county adjacent to the ST. Croix river
and the bluffs in southeastern Min
nesota adjacent to the Upper Missis-
sippi River Wild Life and Fish Refuge
selection Of permanent state for
est areas should be determined by a
complete land classification based on
a thorough land economic survey. Such
to be made by a wholly independent,
unbiased, competent state agency, con-
sulting with the federal department
of agriculture and local officials,
availing itself of the most expert OBJ
tainable aid and advice, familiar with
the aims, needs and difficulties Of
each type Of land use, and looking
solely to the best economic use of
each area considered and to the well
fare of the entire state.
Estate forest lands can be acquired