57 



All these facts so far given, you may say, are not because of forestry, 

 but from the lack of It. It is sacllj' true, and forestry at best can not 

 hope to retrieve, but it can, if properly conducted, nourish the neglected 

 condition and foster the remnants. The science of engineering and for- 

 estiy are mutually affected, as is also manufacture and construction. - 

 "Timber physics" is the term applied to these relations. Forestry in its 

 most complete development should strive to make known the properties 

 of all timbers used for purposes of engineering, manufacture and con- 

 struction. This knovrledge should be extended to cover the properties of 

 timber structure, physical conditions of growth and mechanical qualities. 

 To be of value the tests made should be of the largest number, speci- 

 men and physical limitations. A definite knowledge of these and their 

 relation to the mechanical properties will be of inestimable value to users 

 of wood in the lines of work mentioned. 



Since we are beginning to plant forests, the production of wood merely 

 is of the smallest consideration, but to produce at the same time quality 

 of wood is the thing to be considered. It is the endless variability in tim- 

 ber physics that has kept it in the background, but I believe with the 

 thorough inauguration of systematic forestry it must come to the front. 



It is a Avell-known fact by all who have to handle wood in constructive 

 connections that our knowledge, technically, of wood properties is very 

 unsatisfactory and has resulted in untold loss in every conceivable manner. 



In matters of forestry and government there are to be found at the 

 present time some of the most scientific problems for legislation and con- 

 trol. The management and control of the United States forest reserves 

 against depredations of cutting, grazing, cultivation and fires, and the 

 problem of irrigation and irrigation reservoirs for the reclamation of the 

 arid sections of the Middle West from regions of desolation to areas of 

 life, industry and prosperity involve ditficulties of interstate significance 

 and large public interest. 



In closing, I say it seems to me the points discussed are some of the 

 ways in which forestry and the sciences are related. As "scientific, like 

 spiritual truth, has ever from the beginning been descending from Heaven 

 to man," so let it continue, and remain for science to substitute facts for 

 appearances and demonstrations for impressions. 



Facts in all these, definitely ascertained and generally disseminated 

 and taught in the schools, will rebound in lasting good to an energetic 

 people. This means for Indiana. The saying, "We hail science as man's 



