148 Appendix. 



has preserved her forests by wise use and prevented their ruthless de- 

 struction in modern times. 



Switzerland has had a long, hard struggle during the first half of the- 

 century to come to a rational forest policy, although the damage done- 

 by its absence was clearly to be seen. 



Sweden and Norway have been the great sources of supply for wood 

 material for the past fifty years, especially supplying England with 

 most of her needs. 



Sweden has had a forest policy since 1500. In 1720 a director of 

 forests was appointed, and became the germ of the present forest de- 

 partment. In 1894 a commission was appointed to investigate the con- 

 dition of the forests of Sweden. As a result of their inquiry it appears 

 that Sweden can continue her present cut, and increase it if more 

 forests are planted. 



In considering what forestry has done for man in these countries we 

 must bear in mind that planting trees pays commercially there. Trees 

 are a valuable crop. Aside from the great result to civilization which 

 comes from the maintenance of forests. 



In Europe and Asia forests are on the increase. Better conditions 

 prevail. Civilization is paving the way for the support of larger popu- 

 lations every year because of the better climatic conditions due to 

 scientific knowledge. 



When the early settlers of the United States encountered nature in 

 their new-found land they proceeded to destroy trees. Forests must be- 

 cut down to make farms. Hence millions of acres were thvis destroyed 

 to make homes. I don't maintain it was absolutely wrong. It was a 

 necessary part of our civilization. But much land was cleared that 

 was unfit for farms and is now deserted and much of it is being plantel 

 in forests to-day again. 



The task of opening the back woods to settlement is nearly done. 

 The call is now for forests. And American ingenuity will produce- 

 them. Forestry schools have sprung up all over the United States, and 

 the demand for technically trained foresters is increasing, faster than 

 the supply. Twenty years ago Mr. Pinchot, the present U. S. Forester, 

 was considered a theorist, now he is at the head of the most practical 

 work the government is doing. 



The very best thing about forestry is that it utilizes ground not fit 

 for agricultural purposes. It does not conflict with agriculture, it helps 

 and aids it in every way. 



No ardent friend of forestry will claim that the science will for a 

 long time produce in this country the result seen in many of the densely" 

 peopled states of Europe. But a knowledge of these is of value in show- 

 ing what forestry can do. The science of forestry is the same every- 

 where, but its application depends upon the conditions which are found 

 in different countries. Suppose we take a natural pine forest or spruce- 

 forest in Germany on non-agricultural land in which 75 per cent of the 

 trees are mature and 25 per cent have not yet reached a sizelarge enougk 



