308 JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



The writer does not remember to have seen those questions answered 

 and supposes it impossible to answer them, but he beheves that were 

 due weight given to the points named strong modification would be 

 made of Kirkland's figures. In particular the East is believed to have 

 great areas of forest land whose resources have not been reckoned, 

 but which produce or will produce great quantities of forest products 

 on a short rotation. 



Right in that connection Professor Kirkland suggests a point not 

 developed in my article, but w^hich lines up remarkably well with its 

 main theme. Just before presenting the formula for growing stock, 

 he states that had we in the past provided young stands to come to 

 maturity later on, we should now have more mature timber than would 

 be needed. In that connection, I ask if the fires that for several decades 

 we allowed to rage in the western forest regions did not do that very 

 thing, on a large scale, if imperfectly and without discrimination. Does 

 not the whole West show it? Is'nt the country better oft today for 

 much of this replacement? What more do we need to make the 

 greater part of that area serve exactly the purpose he has in mind 

 than_ simple protection? 



As one inclined toward laisses fuirc up to the point where 

 really substantial interests of the country can be shown to sufifer by 

 its perpetuation, as a believer (like Kirkland) in the general sound- 

 ness of industrial forces, and further that these can be supplemented by 

 educational means, I wish to take up one of the regional situations that 

 he presents to suggest my own line of treatment. His picture of the 

 Northeastern States as industrially ripe for forestry is a striking 

 one. Terms would have to be defined before I would myself assent, 

 and he seems to qualify the idea by the statement that forestry is too 

 hard if there is only the bare land to start with ; but letting that go 

 and taking what he says for granted, I have a suggestion as to how 

 things may best be set and kept in motion. As I see it, that will be 

 done in the main if men who understand the situation go to worlc 

 themselves, with their own money and ability, to utilize it for tlieir 

 own advantage. I can assure him on the basis of experience that 

 nothing will so start up popular appreciation of growing woodlands, 

 so focus people's attention on them, incidentally securing their pro- 

 tection, as to have a few tracts bought for investment. I can't myself 

 think of any other force that could operate so powerfully. 



