Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1940-04-04
Care OF Forest
Resources Urged
For Minnesota
Proper Steps for Protec-
ton and Management of
Areas are Needed.

IA SSAO 90 ~ 1NOSOASNes
1t would be Just as reasonable Tor
Iowa to import corn as it is for Mime
sofa to ship in lumber, Parker 0. An
derson, Minnesota University extern
sion forestry specialist, declares in his
annual report to H. c. Weber, direc-
tor of the division of forestry in the
state department of conservation. The
University is cooperating with the
forestry division, and also with the
u. S. department of agriculture in
forestry promotion in this state.
In support of the attitude voiced
above, Mr.. Anderson cites the fact
that the consumption of lumber in
this state still exceeds the lumber
and forest products produced. with
millions of acres of land primarily
suited to timber growing" continues
Mr. Anderson, land with millions of
acres of land on which we find some
trees in various stages of develop
ment and character, it seems strange
that lumber importations must play
such an important part in our eco
nomic life" He stresses that this
would not be the case if proper steps
were taken for the protection and
management of these areas for forest
growth.
Solutions not Simple.
With respect to the causes chiefly
responsible for this situation, Mr..
Anderson asserts:
High cost of local government, old
taxing methods, faulty administra-
ton and distribution costs have placed
a serious burden on forest property
and real estate, unusually so in the
sparsely settled forest regions of our
state Many communities cannot long
exist if forest and industrial oppor-
tunity are not given some advantages.
No easy or simple solutions of forest
tax problems have yet been devised,
but reduction in the cost of local gov
eminent, improved methods of pro-
perty tax operation and some modi-
fication of taxes on growing forests
so that taxes may be deferred until
such time as forest income is re-
ceived, are suggestions that are now
popping up here and there"
Far from viewing the current situa-
ton and future prospects as hopeless,
Mr.. Anderson reports concrete evil
dence of progress, and claims that
there is more of that in Minnesota
than in any other state in the Union
Through a better understanding of
major detectives there is less con-
fusion in the minds of rural people
and county boards, which is reflected
in this years greatest progress and
individual participations," the report
says. Farm purchasing power, par
ticularly in northeastern Minnesota,
has been materially affected by farm
forestry opportunities. These basic
practices, if continued, will benefit
income returns through the building
up of forest resources in the future
All Groups Participate.
AS further evidence of increasing
forest mindedness on the part of Min
nesotans, Mr.. Anderson reports that
more than $4,000 All boys and girls
have participated in such conserva-
ton activities as forestry, tree plant
ing, home improvement, nursery
practice, woodlot management, ero-
sion control, stream Improvement, up
land game bird raising and related
subjects. During 1899, forestry pro-
jects were carried on in SO counties,
while the county agents in 70 coun-
ties were cooperated within correlated
endeavors.
Continuing his report of forestry
effort expansion, Mr.. Anderson as
serts that a total of 7,155 farms car
ried on forest stand improvement last
year affecting 27,468.6 acres. Mantle
nance practices in farm Woodlots
covered 1926 acres and the planting
of 1857 acres to forest trees. Four-H
groups planted more than 1000 acres
to trees and improved in excess of
$50 acres more by thinning and other
practices.
about 20 five-acre woodlot man
agement plots have been laid out to
be used as demonstration or show
windows along main highways" con-
tinues the report. Good farm CO.
operators having various types of
timber typical to the area selected
to be done later by the CCC camps
under the direct supervision and CO.
operation of state and Federal forest
service.
A 4O-year Project Necessary.
The report continues: Surveys
conducted by the division of for
estry also indicate that to meet the
probable requirements of the thou
sands of farmers in the prairie
area for protective planting, alone,
would require the annual planting of
% million forest and windbreak
plants year for period of 40 years
if the five per cent of the farm area