A POLICY OF FOREvSTRY FOR THE Ny\T10N 



By Henry S. Graves 



Forester, U. S. Forest Service 



A national policy of forestry seeks the protection and beneficial 

 utilization of our present forest resources, the renewal after cutting 

 of forests on lands not needed for agriculture and settlement, the 

 stability of forest industries and of satisfactory conditions for forest 

 workers, and the restoration of forest growth on lands now unproduc- 

 tive and idle. 



The public interests in the continuance of forests justify and require 

 direct public ownership of extensive areas, and also participation by the 

 public in working out the problem of protection and renewal of private 

 forests. A program of forestry for the nation should include action 

 by the public through the Government and the States, action by land 

 owners and operators, and the means of uniting the elTorts of all for 

 the achievement of a common purpose. 



The service of forests is not alone local ; it is national as well. For 

 the products are widely distributed without reference to State lines, the 

 industries are engaged in interstate business, and the protective bene- 

 fits of forests often extend far beyond the localities where they are 

 situated. It is the function of the Federal government to take the 

 leadership in formulating a national economic policy that gives con- 

 sideration to the relationship of all forests to the industrial life of 

 the country. The central Government alone can bring about con- 

 current and harmonious action within given regions. Its research and. 

 educational work may be directed to the problems of the nation and 

 of regions that comprise more than one State. Representing the whole 

 Nation, the Government can stimulate and guide local action where 

 individual States by their own efforts would fail. The Government 

 can act to organize all agencies affected by the forest problem in a 

 united undertaking to inaugurate and carry out a program of forestry. 



The States have not only the function of handling the public forests 

 owned by them, but they have also a direct responsibility in the pro- 

 tection and continuance of private forests. In this, the Federal Govern- 

 ment should take part to meet interstate and national problems, to 



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