REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 25 



group and they are interested in seeing that there is available, at 

 reasonable prices, a continuous supply of lumber and other forest 

 products. A sound forestry policy does not conflict with agricultural 

 settlement. In fact, it facilitates the cultivation of land suitable for 

 agriculture, and also seeks to secure the proper handling of existing 

 forests and the reforestation of denuded regions. On the other hand, 

 forest devastation retards agricultural development. 



NECESSAIJY STEPS. 



Certain things seem clear. Fire is a great menace not only on 

 forested but also on cut-over areas. Adequate protection, therefore, 

 should be required of all owners. The public, through both the State 

 and Federal Governments, should cooperate in organizing this service 

 and should share the cost of maintaining it. It should also adopt 

 such practical measures as may be necessary to bring about the dis- 

 continuance of all practices which result in turning the forests into 

 wastes, and should aid private owners to perpetuate their forests by 

 proper management. A well-balanced policy requires a much larger 

 program of publicly-owned forests than at present. The acquisition 

 of forest lands by the Federal Government is now proceeding under 

 the Weeks forestry law. The total area approved for purchase to 

 date is 1,835,298 acres. The continuation of the policy is sought by 

 the National Forest Reservation Commission, and an estimate of an 

 appropriation of $10,000,000 wnll be placed before the Congress. 

 And, furthermore, the consolidation of National Forest areas through 

 exchange with private owners should be accelerated. There are now 

 pending no less than 25 bills authorizing exchanges, and the enact- 

 ment of a general law would be in the public interest. There is a 

 growing demand for additions to the National Forests from the 

 public lands in the States where such action is possible only through 

 legislation. Recently a law authorizing the addition of 1,000,000 

 acres to the National Forests in central Idaho has been enacted. 



Good forestry practice rests upon the possession of full and accu- 

 rate data. Our present knowledge of the methods of securing the 

 largest yields is inadequate. There is need of further information 

 regarding the amount, quality, and distribution of existing timber 

 supplies. A detailed inventory of our present resources and a survey 

 of present and prospective needs are essential for constructive plan- 



ning. 



1513")2°'-20- 



