PRESERVATION OF OUR FORESTS. 



By Prof. F. L. Hakvey, Maine State College. 



Following is the paper read at the meetiog of the Forestry Conven- 

 tion, in Bangor, bj Prof. F. L. Harvey of the Maine State College : 



Mr Ghab'man, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Convention : 



It may he pertinent to ask ourselves why a forestry convention 

 has been called in Maine at this time. The question will certainly 

 be asked us b}' others. Maine has such magnificent forest area?, 

 that man}' intelligent citizens believe our forests capable of yielding 

 a supply of timber equal to the demand for an unlimited time, and 

 therefore regard forestry conventions aud discussions of forestry 

 questions of no importance to the present or even future welfare of 

 the State or nation. 



Let us for a few minutes consider the importance of forestry 

 matters to the State. 



Topics relating to forestry- and timber supply have claimed the 

 attention of farmers' clubs ; agricultural and horticultural societies ; 

 lumbermen's conventions ; local forestry associations and scientific 

 organizations. There is at present a forestry section in the Ameri- 

 can Association for the Advancement of Science, and a Forestry 

 Division in the United States Department of Agriculture. Certainly 

 a subject claiming such extended and distinguished attention, must 

 embrace considerations of importance to the American people. 



Our country is comparatively new, and the forest area taken as a 

 whole, still yields a supply equal to the demand. 



Public attention has not been generally called to the subject of 

 timber supply and demand, and but little is known regarding the 

 extent or resources of our forests. Those who make a special study 

 of such questions, and look beyond the present to consider the wel- 

 fare of future generations, know that the demand for lumber and 

 other forest products is increasing. Each ^ear lessens the area of 

 virgin forests in the United States to supplj^ the demand, while the 

 encroachment of farms lessens the permanent available forest area. 



