264 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE RELATION OP FORESTRY TO THE INDUSTRIES. 



BY PROP. W. H. FREEMAN, INDIANAPOLIS. 



The common view and estimate of forestry is not the best one. It is 

 considered by many as a fad and an origination of office to satisfy the 

 longing of some aspirant who is a fanatic on trees. Such is not the case. 

 Forestry is a matter of the very deepest vital importance. The lacli of 

 rigid legal enactments and their prompt enforcemeat has caused a loss 

 in an absolutely needless manner of some of the natural resources of the 

 State which have been the means of the best prosperous conditions in the 

 institutions of every kind. 



I need take but a fact to illustrate the above statement. Ten years 

 ago, when natural gas was found to be abundant in regions of Indiana 

 now known as the '"Gas Belt," I dare say not a person gave any thought 

 to the necessity of conserving that great blessing. As a citizen of that 

 community, I know of the thousands of flambeaux that lighted every door 

 and barnyard, pigstye and roadway till travel was as convenient by night 

 time as by day. I do not need to enumerate the manner in which 

 natural gas was consumed just because it could be, without regard to 

 any loss in the future. Because natiu'al gas was abundant and the most 

 convenient fuel as well as the best, Indiana now is a gi-eat manufacturing 

 State through which it is greater in its every other kinds of industry. 

 The natural gas has done a great work, but you know the gas conditions 

 now and the strenuous legal efforts to conserve the fragment, and the 

 still greater skirmishing efforts to get fuel into these districts to retain 

 the manufacturing concerns in their present localities. 



This presentation of the gas question has no connection with the topic 

 of forestry and industries, except the excellent example it affords of the 

 neglect and wanton waste of the natural resources and the results which 

 follow. It is the most fitting illustration that you and I have seen from 

 the beginning to its almost completeness. The timber problem is one of 

 vast greater significance to industrial welfare. Timber has been and will 

 continue to be one of the most used materials of general use. Wood 

 possesses properties which can not be substituted, and its perpetuity is 

 an absolute necessity. 



To state briefly the meaning and purposes of forestry will make clearer 

 the relation it bears to the industries. Forestry does not mean the hoard- 

 ing and prevention of the use of timber, as many with whom I have 

 talked seem to think, but it means the right conservative use and propa- 

 gation of timber. The duties of the department as set forth in the law are 

 to collect, digest and classify information respecting forests and timber- 



