366 JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



the area of waste land and the increase in its extent, and the like, 

 unless such statements can be backed up by evidence based on fact. 

 We are not in possession of the facts ; our statements are mere 

 opinions. The only way we can obtain the facts is through survey and 

 investigation. Funds to carry on such work on an extensive scale 

 are urgently needed from both the States and the Federal Government. 

 Until the State foresters of this region and the Federal foresters who 

 have to do with it have something to show that can be relied on we 

 shall continue to talk in glittering generalities, be considered as ideal- 

 ists, and not get very far because we are not taken seriously. It is 

 high time for us to begin to consider a question of such importance 

 on a practical, businesslike basis, and make a strong, combined effort 

 to secure the necessary funds for such survey and investigation from 

 our State and Federal governments. All the available data in the 

 possession of the several States and the Federal Government, of which 

 there must be considerable, should be brought together, and with 

 these as a foundation a plan of action should be outlined which would 

 be placed before the legislatures and the Congress. As a means of 

 furthering this aim, so far as the Southern States are concerned, I 

 suggest the formation of a committee composed of the several State 

 Foresters, a representative from each State having no State Forester 

 to be selected by the Agricultural College of the State, a representa- 

 tive from each lumber association, and three representatives from the 

 U. S. Department of Agriculture, one each from the Forest Service, 

 the Bureau of Soils, and the Bureau of Plant Industry ; the repre- 

 sentative from the Forest Service to act as secretary of the commit- 

 tee and its executive officer. 



But what is to be done in the meantime ? Although we do not have 

 anything like the information we should, still we do know in a general 

 way what the States and the Federal Government ought to do. This, 

 it seems to me, should follow four lines: (i) Classification of lands, 

 (2) Acquisition of cut-over and waste land, (3) Co-operation with 

 private owners, and (4) Research. These are big public questions 

 and involve large outlays of money. Therefore, they deserve very 

 careful thought and consideration. The acquisition of land will 

 eventually bring in a financial return ; the State forestry department 

 will, in consequence, be self-supporting, and will become, as it should, 

 one of the most important of all the various State departments. Other 

 activities will not show a direct return, but their indirect benefits to the 

 State's general welfare will be large and valuable. 



