388 Forestry Quarterly. 



be discussed with reference to the possibiHty of their supplying 

 the needs of the Nation. There should be presented a discussion 

 of the original condition of our forests, the progress of their de- 

 struction, and their present condition with reference to the total 

 supply of available material, and their condition with reference 

 to providing the protective benefits to the public. Under this 

 same head may later be considered also the extent to which 

 forestry is being practised to-day. 



Taking into consideration the requirements of the Nation and 

 our resources, there arises then the problem of what must be done 

 to meet the future needs. In the main, Dr. Fernow's "Economics 

 of Forestry" covers the subject. 



In many schools the subject-matter just described is presented 

 in a course entitled "Introduction to Forestry" or "Synoptical 

 Course." In some undergraduate schools this introductory 

 course is given in the freshman or sophomore year before any 

 technical work in forestry is undertaken. The purpose of the 

 course is to acquaint the students with the general purpose and 

 scope of forestr>\ There is usually included not only the 

 economic considerations underlying forestry, but also a general 

 description of the technical courses, their scope and place in the 

 curriculum. 



It is desirable that the student thus early be made cognizant of 

 the importance and the bearing of the subject to the common- 

 wealth and have a general oversight of the field he is to study. 



Forest Policy. 



With a foundation in economics of forestry the student is in 

 a position to consider specific problems of forest policy. There 

 should be discussed first the responsibilities of the public relative 

 to forestry, showing that it is a problem which cannot be met with- 

 out direct participation by the public itself. There may then be 

 discussed the functions of the Government, State, Counties, 

 Municipalities, and Communities relative to forestry. Under 

 Government forestry there would be considered first the problem 

 of public lands. The instructor would doubtless present a historic 

 sketch of the public land policy with a critical consideration of its 

 defects and what is required by our present day conditions. 

 There should be discussed in full the problems relative to dif- 



