Some Forest Problems. 2 65 



are brought into use, thus large forest areas are now being worked 

 •which were formerly thought to be worthless. The more conservative 

 students of the problem believe that there is no immediate danger 

 of a timber famine. Still the situation is a serious one and the 

 scientific management of our forests is necessary if the timber supply 

 Is to be maintained. To quote from President Roosevelt's first mes- 

 sage he says, "The fundamental idea of forestry is the perpetuation 

 of the forests by use. Forest protection is not an end in itself; it is 

 a means to increase and sustain the resources of our country and the 

 industries which depend upon them. The preservation of our forests 

 is an imperative business necessity." 



The difference between lumbering and forestry is that lumbering 

 destroys the forest; forestry destroys only the trees. Forestry is not 

 opposed to cutting down the tree. It should be harvested when ripe, 

 but with a view always to securing a tree in its place. Forestry does 

 not harvest in any period of time more than has been produced in that 

 same time. 



Europe has practiced a well defined forest policy for a century, 

 but like ourselves, began such practice only when compelled to do 

 so by the centuries of mismanagement. There in the best managed 

 forests only that which is produced in a given year is removed in the 

 annual cutting. Not a branch leaves the forest unaccounted for. 

 Every part of the crop is gathered in with as much care as the 

 thrifty farmer uses in garnering his wheat or corn. Even the stump 

 and its roots are utilized. Thus far in this country we have used the 

 roots in but one instance. Formerly in some places walnut trees 

 were cut into fence rails, and now the stumps of these same trees 

 are dug up and manufactured into furniture. Many of these trees 

 as they stood in the forest would be worth today from five to six hun- 

 dred dollars per tree. A complete system of forestry such as is 

 practiced in so large a part of the old world is a number of years in 

 the future with us; but toward this end we are making good progress 

 at the present time. 



On the whole, however, our forest policy has been one of slow 

 progress. Almost from the earliest settlement of the country laws 

 were enacted looking to the conservation of our timber resources. 

 They were laws in name only and not in fact. But many of the ideas 

 started then have been very vital and persistent, and while futile en- 

 acted are bearing results now. For example. New York passed a tree 

 planting law In 1791. This was 100 years ahead of the times, but a 

 movement that is now quite on time. The early laws erred on the side 

 of over protection. They were too strict, hence never were enforced. 



