1885.] EDITORIAL NOTES. 347 



systematic use of her forests, and imbuing her citizens with a 

 recognition of their importance. 4. To urge the Legislature of the 

 different States to enact and enable the enforcement of effective 

 laws for the prevention of fires. 5. To urge the National Govern- 

 ment to the establishment of a sound policy as to its own forest 

 lands, treating the 85,000,000 acres of public forest property as a 

 valuable national treasure, instead of allowing its waste by depre- 

 dators and fires. 6. To harmonize the interests of the lumberman 

 and the forester, and devise for the lumbering interest such protec- 

 tion as is not given at the cost of the forest. 7. To create popular 

 sentiment against waste and a love and incentive for arboriculture by 

 the institution of arbor days, by favours to tree planters in the form 

 of premiums, bounties, or exemption from taxes. 



Either directly or indirectly the following results are summarized 

 as arising from the previous work of the Congress : — 1. Forestry 

 associations have been formed in Minnesota, Ohio, Canada, Manitoba, 

 Colorado, New York ; while horticultural and agricultural societies 

 have been led to give a prominent place in their discussion to the 

 subject of forestry. 2. Forestry Commissions or Commissioners, 

 either to inquire into the needs of or to manage the forest domain of 

 their States, have been appointed in Vermont, New Hampshire, 

 New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Colorado, California. 3. Arbor 

 days have been instituted in fifteen States of the Union and in the 

 Canadas. Under this incentive in Nebraska, where this observance 

 originated, more than 5,000,000 trees were planted the past year. 



4. The effective fire legislation now prevailing in Canada was 

 enacted directly upon the specific recommendations of this Congress. 



5. The Congress of the United States, largely through the influence 

 of our efforts, has under serious consideration most important legisla- 

 tion with reference to the forests of our national domain. 6. The 

 Forestry Bureau, as a branch of the Agricultural Department at 

 Washington, has collected valuable material in furtherance of the 

 knowledge of our forest condition, in addition to Prof. C. S. Sargent's 

 invaluable work of the census of 1880. 7. While the publications 

 of a " Journal of Forestry," " Forestry Bulletins," " Forestry 

 Manuals," " Forestry Eeports," have tried to furnish the needed 

 special information, the press throughout the country, in all its 

 branches, has done good work in creating a widespread interest and 

 a growing readiness for action. Yet, while the need of a change of 

 policy is admitted, the means of accomplishing that change are still 

 inadequate. Specific aims and methods yet remain undetermined. 

 Here is a great problem of national economy worthy the thought 

 and active aid of the best men of the nation ! Here is a duty for 

 every thinking and well-meaning citizen, to help to preserve and hand 



