REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 31 



regions better suited for timber growth than for any other purpose. 

 Federal aid would have powerful and far-reaching effects in estab- 

 lishing new forests where they are most critically needed. 



Third, for the purchase of timberland, which has been carried on 

 under the act of March 1, 1911, should be extended as rapidly as the 

 condition of the Public Treasury will permit. Such purchases repre- 

 sent money invested and not money spent. The lands already pur- 

 chased could be sold for more than they cost, and as the timber grows 

 they will increase in value and become a continuing source of na- 

 tional income. Aside from the direct value of such lands, such Fed- 

 eral enterprise serves as an educational stimulus to the reforestation 

 of near-by lands in private ownership, which is greatly to the public 

 benefit. 



Fourth. There are large areas of lands in the unreserved public 

 domain which are better suited to timber growth than to any other 

 purpose, and similar large areas in Indian reservations which will 

 ultimately be withdrawn as tribal properties and thrown open for 

 other disposition. All of such lands ought to be included within the 

 national forests. The practical way to do this is to authorize the 

 President, with the assistance of some agency, such as the National 

 Forest Reservation Commission, to classify and dispose of these 

 public lands in accordance with their character and place in the 

 national forests such lands as are best suited for forest purposes. 



Fifth. Provision should be made for research in the growing and 

 utilization of timber on a scale adequate to present needs. While 

 we are advancing rapidly in acquiring technical information, our 

 present research agencies can not meet the demands of the existing 

 lituation as to timber use or new timber growth. 



Legislation which would include the five matters before mentioned 

 ought to be enacted at the earliest possible date. It would give the 

 opportunity for the working out and application of a forest policy 

 suited to the needs of the Nation. When we look about us and see 

 the extent to which we use wood in our daily lives and then reflect 

 upon the fact that we are cutting down our forests four times as fast 

 as we are growing them, the urgent need of developing a compre- 

 hensive forest policy without further delay should be recognized by 

 every man in a position of legislative or administrative responsibility. 



