WHAT OF THE FUTURE OF THE EASTERN FORESTS? 67 



The forestry schools of the United States are sending out annually 

 scores upon scores of graduates, and what are they to do if the work 

 of restoration of our eas'tern forests is not begun at once? And no 

 one should dream that it will be entered upon unless the people at large 

 are told what must be done and how it can be accomplished, and this 

 information must come from those presumed to possess the knowledge 

 that should guide in the matter. 



If natural regeneration is to be depended upon, then let its advo- 

 cates demonstrate that it should be. If such demonstration is under- 

 taken it should, of course, be shown how long it will take 

 to satisfactorily reforest a cut-over and burned-over tract where seed 

 trees are few and scattering, if at all existent ; how the seeds can escape 

 destruction, or germination be secured ; what control of the species 

 can be had ; how density of stand can be brought about ; what will be 

 the amount and character of the yield, and its cost ; and all other things 

 which may and unquestionably will arise in determining a correct or 

 even approximately correct showing. Or if artificial restoration shall 

 be advocated, then there should be shown cost for planting ; the diffi- 

 culties in securing a full stand; cost of thinning; time required for 

 financial maturity to be reached ; character, cost, and amount of yield, 

 and all things necessary to reach a safe conclusion. And all this made 

 so plain "that he who runs may read and understand." 



To my mind, showing the necessity of and indicating the best 

 methods to pursue in restoring the forests of the east are, today, the 

 most important features to be considered in the study of American 

 forestry, and are the ones that should be given precedence ; for if ever 

 delay is dangerous it will prove to be so in this case. Hence, hoping 

 the matter will be discussed in the forestry literature of the country, 

 and otherwise, I have penned the foregoing, and if it rouses anyone 

 to even investigate conditions and suggest a method of action, some- 

 thing will have been accomplished — a something which does not now 

 seem to be considered of much moment. 



