Rivviijws 745 



The estimates of aggregate quantities of standing timber are prob- 

 ably about right. But our information about its character, the amount 

 of different species and grades, its accessibility, the question of sup- 

 porting of our various industries, and the relation of the existing 

 resources to the upbuilding of the localities to which they are tribu- 

 tary, is woefully inadequate. This is true also of the actual con- 

 dition of our cut-over lands and of the growth that may be expected 

 upon them. We have already a great deal of data regarding the 

 habits and rate of growth of individual trees, but comparatively little 

 work has been done in securing the information that would enable 

 one to estimate with confidence what is now being produced or what 

 can be produced over areas of any considerable size. 



As an economic contribution the Capper Report shows what we 

 know, and it reveals also the inadequacies of our knowledge. It fur- 

 nishes an excellent basis upon which to build in our future scientific 

 and economic studies. Broadly speaking, our economic studies should 

 be directed very specifically to the relation of tlie forests to our several 

 industries and to community upbuilding. This means, of course, the 

 study of the present and future needs of the industries as well as the 

 supply of raw materials. Such studies are very far reaching, touching: 

 problems of power, transportation, future markets, labor supply and 

 so on. With such industrial information, the local and general forest 

 studies are given an objective which those heretofore made have often 

 lacked. A competent forest survey would show what we have to- 

 meet our requirements ; silvical studies would show what we will' 

 have under present methods of handling forests and what we might 

 have under right methods ; experiment and investigation would lay 

 the foundation of sound practice to build up our forests for future 

 needs. Industrial and scientific information, all taken together, would 

 enable the formulation of such new public policies as might be essential 

 to bring about effective results in forestry. 



While the progress in forestry will go hand in hand with the acqui- 

 sition of more knowledge through research, we do not need to wait 

 for more investigations to put into effect the measures outlined in the 

 national program in the Capper Report. The need has been shown, 

 and our equipment is suflficient to go forward with confidence. Im- 

 mediate action is imperative, with strong insistence by the public 

 upon a policy that will bring real results. 



Henry S. Graves. 



