144 . Appendix. 



The great problem of irrigation, absolutely necessary in growing fruit 

 in a large portion of Oregon, is therefore entirely dependent on the 

 preservation of our forests at the head of streams from which water is 

 derived for irrigation purposes. The United States Government has 

 therefore quite wisely reserved large portions of our forests so that 

 an assurance can be given to our fruit growers of a steady, continuous 

 flow of water in the streams and rivers of the State. I said preserva- 

 tion. Now, I do not mean by that an absolute pi-eservation of our 

 forests intact, we should protect them against fire, and destruction 

 from any cause. But I do mean that forests should be kept growing- 

 just as a thrifty orchard should be kept growing. . I mean too that the 

 crop of mature trees should be harvested just the same as any other 

 crop. When a tree has reached its maturity it should be cut, made into- 

 lumber and the lumber used for the various needs of man. It should 

 not be allowed to die and rot and its huge carcass lie in the way of 

 other young trees which are there ready to take its place. 



Now is forestry practical? Has it proven itself to be practical? I 

 think so. The object of forestry is to make the forest render its best 

 service to man so as to increase its value and usefulness in the future.. 

 The best investment of capital is one which yields the highest rate of 

 interest. No matter how much we hate to admit it v/e live in a com- 

 mercial age. We think in figures, many of us dream in figures. One 

 old, toothless violinist on the street the other night, with hat off show- 

 ing his bald head and a fringe of white hair about his ears, sang a 

 quaint melody and drew a crowd. Then, having his crowd he passed 

 his hat, and as he passed it he sung, "Now I likes to play dis fiddle,. 

 and I likes to sing dis song, but if you don't cough up some nickels, I 

 won't be here very long." 



What are the requirements for the best service a forest can give?" 

 Mr. Gifford Pinchot, head of the United States Bureau of Forestry,, 

 says: "There are four things a forest must have before it can be in 

 condition to render the best service. First, protection, especially against, 

 fire, over-grazing, and thieves, for without such protection no invest- 

 ment is secure and the most skillful management is of no avail. Second, 

 strong and abundant reproduction. A forest without young growth is 

 like a family without children, it will soon die out. Foi'est destruction 

 is worse than race suicide. It is like killing all infants because they are 

 in the way and helpless. Third, the third requirement is a regular 

 supply of trees for the ax. This can be secured only by the right pro- 

 portion of smaller trees constantly maturing in the growing forest. A 

 forest of 10,000 acres composed of 100 even-aged groups of trees of 

 every age from one to 100 years, each group 100 acres in extent would 

 plainly be able to furnish every year 100 acres of 100-year-old trees 

 ready for the ax. In such a forest the right proportion of young trees 

 would always be coming on. Fourth, the fourth requirement is grow- 

 ing space enough for every tree, so that the forest as a whole can not 



