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FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION 



March 



are to be conserved for the use of all 

 the people for all time, every citizen 

 should be aroused to do his full duty. 

 But thus to arouse a population so 

 vast as that of the United States ne- 

 cessitates a far-reaching educational 

 campaign. In this the Association 

 should vigorously engage on a scale 

 far larger than has hitherto been 

 found practicable. Its efforts are now 

 strictly limited by the means at its dis- 

 posal. That it may rightly do the 

 work that it should do, and desires to 

 do, its arms should be materially 

 strengthened and its resources greatly 

 increased. How to secure this added 

 strength is to-day our chief problem. 

 Membership dues are helpful in so far 

 as available. But to secure them 

 through solicitations by the office it- 

 self requires effort which should be 

 expended directly in the work of 

 arousing and educating the people. In 

 the enlistment of new members, pres- 

 ent members can materially aid ; and 

 they are earnestly urged to use their 

 utmost endeavor to this end. But 



membership dues,* alone, should no 

 longer be looked upon as our chief re- 

 source. Substantial contributions, 

 such as constantly pour into the treas- 

 uries of schools, colleges, and various 

 other private institutions, should be 

 earnestly sought. And here again is 

 a field for the interest and activity of 

 our members. Some of them are per- 

 sonally well able to aid in the work of 

 properly equipping the Association. 

 Others can aid by interesting friends, 

 themselves able to contribute to our 

 treasury. The time has come when 

 our work should no longer halt 

 through lack of means. That this or- 

 ganization may rise to the full meas- 

 ure of its responsibility, we appeal to 

 our members, one and all, to assist, 

 each in his own way and to the full 

 extent of his ability, in so equipping it 

 as to make it a mighty power for the 

 conservation of our forests, together 

 with all our natural resources, and the 

 vast human interests dependent 

 thereupon. 



THE OAK DEFIANT 



BY 



Frederick Le Roy Sargent, Cambridge, Massachusetts 



Upon the stormward bastion of the hill 



Standeth the oak, defiant; 

 A warrior of indomitable will, 



Dauntless, a grisly giant. 



He laugheth loud to scorn the lowering 

 host 

 Whose onset thundereth in the north; 

 And matching menace with a valiant 

 boast, 

 His leaves a challenge rattle forth. 



Lightnings reply! The tree with Titan 

 reach 

 Seizeth the bolt descending: 

 Wrenched from his trunk his arm, with 

 grewsome breach, 

 Shattered, falleth defending. 



Yet louder than the severed fibers' crack, 

 Above the reverberating rage 



Of baffled foes, roareth the oak, "Come 

 back! 

 Behold, I've flung you down my gaget 



"Fear not if ye return to find me weak; 



For though your strength grow vaster, 

 This arm of mine again shall make you 

 shriek, 



Owning me still your master." 



Muttering, the vanquished hordes that 

 could not slay 

 The oak with all their maniac might, 

 In huddled rout, cloud hid, have slunk 

 away 

 Into the deepest caves of night. 



Steadfast, exulting in the battle-thrill 



Of prowess proved, reliant. 

 Upon the silent bastion of the hill 



Standeth the oak, defiant. 



