TEE WEALTH OF TEE COMMONWEALTH 175 



selves or by those whom they purchase as husbands scatter it to scan- 

 dalize two continents. 



The forest, the accumulation of generations, and of ages of sun- 

 shine, rain and dew, is gone, and there is less than nothing to show 

 for it. This is criminal waste. 



Now let us paint a brighter picture. Into the forest go a lot of 

 pioneers, such as Ealph Connor loves to picture, bent on caring for 

 themselves and their children. The instructions are to cut every green 

 top, and every thing is gathered up, even old half burned logs. What- 

 ever is not otherwise used is used for fuel in making salt, but all that 

 can be used down to stuff that will only make lath or matches or 

 toothpicks is saved, and pains are taken to make even the narrow band- 

 saw cuts as narrow as may be. The land is left ready, if it is good 

 enough, for one of those same sturdy pioneers to take hold of and 

 make a farm that will be the stay of his old age and the homestead 

 of his children. That best fitted to remain forest returns once more 

 to the state to be reforested. 



The lumber goes where it is most needed, but part of it into build- 

 ings within the state, of permanent artistic value. The fortune thus 

 acquired is expended perhaps in part in reforesting those parts of the 

 tract that are better suited for forest growth permanently than for any- 

 thing else, and in their fire protection, but those lands hardly worth 

 paying taxes on are deeded to some state institution, to which after 

 some years they will be of great value, while in the meantime they are 

 kept off delinquent tax rolls. Another part of this fortune is em- 

 ployed in permanent improvements, roads and railroads, and in build- 

 ings which are a permanent addition to the beauty of the state as well 

 as a memorial of the man who reared them. Another part goes in 

 starting industries and providing education which will open fields of 

 useful and valuable employment and keep alive the town where the 

 fortune is made when lumbering ceases to be the all sustaining occupa- 

 tion. A part may be employed in exploring for coal, developing peat 

 or water power, drilling for oil, mineral water or other resources to 

 replace those that are vanishing. 



The forest is then not wholly gone, and in the place of the part 

 taken are fertile farms, with happy homes, noble buildings, intelligent 

 people and varied industries, and the state is wealthier than ever. 



The one picture is as true as the other, though they are put together 

 like one of Thompson Seton's stories. That the brighter picture should 

 be the one becoming more true, each man of intelligence enough to 

 recognize the situation, each citizen of the kingdom of science, as well 

 as the republic, should strive. 



