In  1877,  the  sum  of  $2,000,  in  addition  to  a  balance  then  remaining
of  the  former  grant,  was  appropriated  by  the  legislature.
The  result  of  these  measures  is  shown  in  the  planting  of  from  eight
to  ten  millions  of  trees.  The  rules  for  regulating  payment  of  the  re-
wards provided  that  the  trees  should  be  alive  and  show  evidence  of
care  in  October  following;  each  competitor  was  to  plant  his  own  trees,  or


536  FOREST  PLANTING  IN  MINNESOTA.
iu  case  of  sickness  or  absence  to  employ  a  substitute;  the  plantation
was  to  average  not  less  than  2,500,  nor  more  than  4,356  trees  to  the
acre ;  a  count  and  report  was  to  be  made  before  June  1 ;  and  a  sworn
statement  was  to  be  forwarded  in  October,  setting  forth  the  number,
kind,  how  planted  and  cultivated,  cost  and  average  size  of  the  trees
planted ;  all  planting  was  to  be  for  permanent  belts  or  groves  and  not
for  sale,  except  as  thinnings.  There  was  to  be  no  clubbing,  or  joining
of  timber  plantations  upon  lands  owned  by  different  parties,  to  secure
premiums.
For  medals,  the  association  decided  upon  a  piece  in  silver,  of  coin
standard,  and  of  the  size  of  a  silver  dollar,  pierced  for  a  ribbon  and  fur-
nished with  a  case.  Each  medal  was  to  have  stamped  on  one  side  a
wreath  of  forest  leaves  to  encircle  the  same ;  and  on  the  reverse  the
words  "Minnesota  State  Forestry  Association,  1876,"  around  the  edge,
and  an  oak  tree  in  the  center.  Acorn  badges  in  silver  were  also  pro-
vided, with  pins  for  wearing  upon  the  dress.
Mr.  L.  B.  Hodges,  of  Saint  Paul,  the  secretary  of  the  association,  in
a  letter  dated  November  29,  1877,  gives  the  latest  returns  of  operations
for  that  year.
