A POLICY OF FORESTRY FOR THE NATION 909 



interests may make a survey of the forest resources of the country. 

 This would determine the quantities of timber suitable for different 

 industrial uses, the current consumption of forest products, the prob- 

 able requirements of the different regions for material, the possible 

 production of the forests by growth to meet these requirements, and 

 other matters which will aid in developing and carrying out the national 

 forest policy. 



6. Land Classification. — The public should cooperate in land classi- 

 fication to aid owners to put their lands to the most productive use. 

 The public should aid in bringing settlers upon lands suited to agri- 

 culture, and at the same time should discourage speculative undertak- 

 ings that lead to the deception of innocent investors and efforts to col- 

 onize lands which are not suited to settlement. Land classification 

 would indicate the classes of lands which should be devoted to the 

 production of timber, either permanently or pending a development 

 which would make possible their successful settlement. 



7. Research Work. — Adequate funds should be provided to enable 

 the Government and other public agencies to carry on investigative 

 work needed in carrying out a national policy of forestry. This would 

 include investigations on a larger scale than at present for determining 

 the best methods of forest practice, and also research in forest 

 products. 



8. Forest Insurance. — As soon as forest property becomes secure 

 under systematic protection, fire insurance comes within the range of 

 feasibility. Every encouragement should be given to plans of insur- 

 ance such as that already inaugurated in the Northeast. 



A program for the nation must be an aggregate of local programs 

 adapted to different conditions, and correlated and standardized 

 through the Federal government to meet the broader requirements of 

 the whole country. A national program cannot be put into effect in 

 its entirety at once. Local programs will also probably have to be 

 worked out by steps. Some States are already able to go forward more 

 rapidly than others, partly because of their financial strength and 

 partly because experience has already demonstrated the methods of 

 protection and forestry required to secure results on the ground. 



The initiation of a national policy of forestry requires as one of the 

 first steps the passage of a Federal law that recognizes its objectives 

 and provides the Government with authority and means to extend 

 cooperation with the States in protecting and perpetuating the forests 



