Preface

The subject of forestry in all its various features has received as much intelligent thought and consideration the past year as any other one current movement affecting the general welfare. The most thoughtful people throughout the land are according to it their high appreciation.

It is not easy to state the exact accomplishment in the work because of inadequate means to secure data and co-operate closely with the forestry communities. Not sufficient funds are provided the Board for its systematic organization of the work throughout the State by counties or districts. The actual office expenses by reason of correspondence, arrangement and distribution of good forestry literature and other educational features, as lectures and travel, demand all the funds provided. The financial equipment of the office does no more than provide for these details well in conjunction to the office expenses of the Reservation and Experimental Station. Under the present conditions something must be neglected and it has been the systematic organization of the forestry work in the counties and data pertaining to them. Provision must be made for a competent assistant in the office and his expenses to do these things before the office can perform its duties fully and well.

As was suggested in the last report more power should be given the Board for the control of shade and ornamental trees growing along the highways and in the cities and towns against linemen. This was attempted during the last session of the General Assembly, but all was lost because of the radicalism in the bill attempted, and because at an unguarded moment the modified bill was killed on its final reading by an enemy or the accomplice of an enemy to the movement to protect such property and accord to it an intelligent regard and ownership right. The Board hopes for a concerted action to gain this needed regulation at the hands of the next General Assembly. But whatever is attempted must be intelligent and contain equal rights to all parties concerned or failure will be the result again.

The experiments at the Forestry Experimental Station are ad

vancing very satisfactorily and at this early date are evidences of what the success of forestry may be to those who engage in it. The work now accomplished shows what practical things in forestry may be done if only attempted. As an object lesson versus theory, it may be acknowledged far beyond expectations and general belief in the degree of success. The tabulations given in the report convey an idea of the advancement of the experiments, and as years go on they will without question become more and more convincing and prove to the unbeliever the value of the institution. As an object lesson of merit it receives the highest praise from forestry students and experts, and as a property of value it meets the mind of the confident business man who can discern the distant aggregates. It is an example of doing things as against talking about doing them, and therefore appeals to good judgments.

The Board sincerely appreciates the great influence of the press in the educational formation of a right forestry sentiment, and urges that the same keen interest and devotion of the past be extended in the future. The various literary and civic federation clubs have added much to the increased interest and advancement of the forestry movement. To them also the Board expresses its esteem and urges them to greater achievements in the work of the civic principles, "cities beautiful," but warns them against radicalism as suggested in the discussion of needed legislation. Intelligence, fairness and equal rights to all interested should characterize every step taken in the advancement of the cause of forestry.

The "farmers' institute," that grand organization for the promotion of agricultural interests, should do more to influence the forestry cause than it is. By reason of the plan and manner in which it is organized and conducted, it could be made a factor equal to the public press in the formation of a right forestry sentiment and the Board suggests that it do more toward advancing this worthy cause.

BOARD OF FORESTRY.

Financial Statement

November 1, 1906, to September 30, 1907.

Appropriations to November 1, 1907, by Acts General Assembly, 1905—

Receipts from Forest Reservation and Experimental Station and remitted to State Treasurer upon recommendation of State Auditor

1,381 27

$12,514 76

$1,096 95 29 33

159 69

3 25

7 50

45 85

2.00

$1,344 57

Office Report and Suggestions

The work which the Board has attempted to advance in forestry from the office the past year has been along the same lines as of former attempts. The efforts were directed toward stimulating systematic work throughout the agricultural communities by the establishment of permanent woodlots upon each farm, the increasing of interest in commercial plantings of large areas upon the cheap, non-agricultural lands, Arbor Day and general ornamental tree plantings, fencing posts and cross-tie plantings, timber and tree diseases and affections, and advice as to the best economic disposition of merchantable timber.

In results each and all the features attempted to advance, as well as the general inquiry and correspondence, show a far better intelligence and thought than were evident of previous years. Everything indicates a rational appreciation of the subject, its necessity and a desire to aid the cause by the best people.

The field work conducted by the office the past summer, with the aid of the forestry students, Fred A. Miller of Purdue University, and E. E. Davis of Wabash College, was of two distinct classes. Mr. Miller's work is shown by the report which he rendered the office and published herewith. The report contains full explanations and will not be discussed here. The work of Mr. Davis was confined to taking statistics of forest growth upon the experimental plats at the Forest Reservation and Experimental Station, to get before the readers some facts for consideration.

Both of these gentlemen are students of forestry and their services were most valuable for the brief time they were employed. The only regret is that means will not permit of constant work along these lines throughout the State and for the entire year. Such work is of the most practical value to everyone interested, whether producers or consumers.

The office feels that it is time now to begin more of the scientific features and investigations and in the future it shall do so. In the past almost all the efforts have been directed toward the promotion of tree planting and cultivating woodlots as above enumer ated. It does not mean, however, to cease its efforts in these directions, but to continue them at a greater effort and add thereto the science features.