Forests Of Michigan

An interesting feature of the forthcorning report of Labor Coramissioner Morse, will be a number of chapters devoted to tbe subject of forestry. The appropriation at the disposal of the Labor Burean would not permit tbe investigations to be couduoted by its personal representativa, and the figures given were obtained through the supervisors, the questions being directed to ascertaining the acres of timber snbdi' vided into pine, hemlock and hard■wood, and the amount of plains and swarups partly timbered. In connection with the figures given Labor Commissioner Morse oalls attention to the fact that many states are taking steps to preserve their forests frorn wanton destruction by fire, and if possible to promote new growth. This is undertaken under direction of officers styled fire wardens and forestry eommissions. Tbe commissioner says: "Unqnestionably Michigan must give this matter attention in the near luture, or the state, once second to none in amouut and value of its timber, will be nearly as treelbss as the prairie states. The Minnesota law for the preservatiou of her forests seems particnlarly applicable to Michigan, and is publisned in foll in this report for the benefit of those who are taking an interest in this important matter. The last annual me6sage of Governor Rich invites the attention of tbe legislature to the mat ter of forestry, and makes pertinent recummendations. Land Commissioner French, also, in his last anuual report, calis attention to the practicability of ntilizing the cbeap lands of the state for tho reprodnction of forests. There is very little donbt that at a moderate expense a large amonnt of land now almost valueless may be made to yield valnable returns in the not remóte future." The reports of tbe supervisors regarding the amonnt of forests in their respective towuships flll over 100 pages of the report, and tbe conditions in each tovvnship are aconrately described. At the couolnsion is a tabulated statement giviug the totals for the oouuties and the state. The number of surveyed townships and fraotions ei townshpis in the state is 1,859. The number of acres of stauding hardwood is given at 6,160,977; of standing piue, at 755,208; herulock, 1,468,166; of plains partly covered with bushes and scattering trees, 5,660,810; of swamps partly covered with sinall timberand bushes, at 3,265,667 acres. There are 18 oounties in the state in which there is not an aore of pine, and tbere are 32 counties in whioh tbere aie less than 100 acres each. In 23 countiee there is no hemlock.