I'RiNATi-: Forestry 119 



In seeking a solution for the forestry problem on private lands, it 

 should be recognized that its very character is such as to require public 

 participation, assistance, and direction. There are certain things that 

 the public should do, and in a liberal spirit, to make forestry by private 

 timber-land owners effective. At the same time the public should insist 

 by adequate legislation that the destructive processes be stopped, and 

 that methods be adopted which will leave the forests in a productive 

 condition. To secure these ends there is necessary a broad program 

 that is practicable and equitable, based on consideration of existing 

 economic conditions. Its formation calls for the most careful construc- 

 tive thought, with no point of view neglected. 



The limits of this paper do not permit the discussion of all the prob- 

 lems that must be considered in an effective program of forestry on 

 private lands. Some principles may, however, be briefly indicated. A 

 program of forestry should include, first of all. compulsory fire protec- 

 tion, and this should apply to second growth and cut-over lands as w'ell 

 as to old timber. State law'S should be unequivocal, with adequate 

 penalties, in their recjuirements upon timber-land owners for protective 

 measures, including the prevention of dangerous accumulations of 

 slashings. Fire protection should be organized and under State super- 

 vision. The States should provide an effective organization to enforce 

 the fire laws and to administer the organized protective work. Liberal 

 funds should be made available for patrol, improvements, supervision, 

 and inspection. In most of the States the laws are not drastic enough ; 

 there is not sufficient direct responsibility on the owner, and there are 

 not provided adequate means to execute the laws and administer the 

 protective work. The damage by forest fires can be stopped. Its con- 

 tinuance is due to a combined failure on the part of the public and the 

 owners. 



The methods of cutting determine Avhether for one or perhaps sev- 

 eral tree generations the lands will be productive or not. The public 

 in its own protection should prohibit destructive methods of cutting 

 that injure the community and the public at large. With the co-opera- 

 tion of the public, constructive measures of forestry are feasible. They 

 should be mandatory. 



The States should adopt a policy of taxation of forests that would 

 encourage rather than hinder the practice of forestry. Present tax 

 policies tend to force early cutting and add to the burden of holding 

 young forests. 



Other factors also cause premature and wasteful cutting in most 

 timber-land regions. The speculative character of ownership, the bur- 



