460 The yournal of Forestry. 



intelligent light there is good reason for hope that the Government 

 will not mnch longer loiter behind in a matter that so deeply affects 

 imperial interests and the material prosperity of some of the most 

 important colonies of the empire ; indeed, the preservation an d 

 renovating of their forests has already become one of the leading 

 questions of the day in many of our Colonial Legislatures. AVe trust 

 that the voice of the country will have its due weight with our 

 legislators and all others whom it may concern, and that an early effort 

 will be made to place British Forestry on an equality at least with 

 that of the other leading European States. 



The United States are seemingly determined to outstrip the world in 

 the lately awakened interest they are taking in the preservation of 

 their forests, and the best means that can be employed for encouraging 

 the planting of trees in those parts of the States which have been so 

 ruthlessly denuded of them. Almost every mail brings us fresh 

 news of some energetic movement being made towards attaining a full 

 knowledge of the capabilities of the lumber-producing States, and 

 their ability to supply the ever-ia creasing demand for timber, and of the 

 praiseworthy endeavours that are constantly being made to obtain correct 

 information about the best means adopted in Euro pean countries for 

 the preservation and restoration of forests, with a view to its applica- 

 tion in planting and restoring a due proportion of forest trees in the 

 timber-denuded States. We extract the follov/ing interesting 

 paragraph from a recently passed Act of Congress, and heartily 

 commend it to the notice of all whom it may concern : — 



"For purchase and distribution of new and valuable seeds and 

 plants, sixty thousand dollars, provided that five thousand dollars of 

 the above amount shall be expended by the Commissioner of Agricul- 

 ture as compensation to some man of approved attainments, who is 

 practically well acquainted with methods of statistical inquiry, and 

 who has evinced an intimate acquaintance with questions relating to 

 the national wants in regard to timber^ to prosecute investigations 

 and inquiries, with the view of ascertaining the annual amount of 

 consumption, importation, and exportation of timber and other forest 

 products, the probable supply for future wants, the means best 

 adapted for their preservation and renewal, the influence of forests 

 upon climate, and the measures that have been successfullyapplied 

 in foreign countries, or that may be deemed applicable in this country, 

 for the preservation and restoration or planting of forests; and to 

 report upon the same to the Commissioner of Agriculture, to be by 

 him in a separate report transmitted to Congress." 



