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that in afforestation opei'.ntioiis wnnld .^-ivc tlie .i^reatest promise of success. 

 As a matter of fact siicli a conclusion is more often incorrect than correct. 

 The region lias lost its forest floor witli all its far-reaching influence in 

 maintaining soil fertility, moisture and porosity; it has l)een sul)jecte(i to 

 the desiccating and compacting effects of sun and wind ; by drainage its 

 water level may have I)een decidedly lowered ; it has lost the protection of 

 adjoining forests and is thereTore more sensitive to adverse climatic condi- 

 tions such as changes of temperature, wind, etc. : many of the trees in the 

 original forest may have been of species which can only find their normal 

 development and growth rate when sheltered or partially sheltered. Indeed 

 it is very rtirely the case that tlie original foi-est can be restored. Its place 

 must be taken by one composed of species adapted to the new conditions. 

 Just what species these new conditions indicate it is difficult for the expert 

 to determine: it is entirely beyond solution by the average landowner save 

 through the expensive school of experiment. In afforestation more defi- 

 nitely and vitally than in reinforcement and improvement do we find Ihat 

 the imperative need in forestry in Indiana is the field expert. 



Incidentally much remains to be done in the way of education. Rela- 

 tively few species are of sufficient economic value to promise profitable re- 

 turns. Each of these species has its optimum conditions, each has ad'.an- 

 tages and disadvantages arising from its silvical properties. Careful studies 

 should be made of these available species and of their re(piirements for the 

 most rapid growth and healthiest development. These studies should be 

 supplemented by others ^^•hich definitely locate the areas in the state where 

 these optimum conditions for the various species are to be found or if the 

 specific locality is not given, of the type of soil furni.shing these conditions. 

 If this were done the landowner in Hancock or Elkhart or Gil)son county 

 would ha\e in his possession the data needed for the formulation of a ra- 

 tional management of his wood-lot. The preparation of such a series of 

 studies would take time, lait the good accomplished would be immeasur- 

 able. The old prophet cried, "1'he people perish through ignorance," which 

 we may paraphrase to read, "(Jur forests perish through ignorance." 



Back of all this and in a certain sense fundamental is a classification 

 of the soils of the state. Any true conservation demands tliat every re- 

 source be utilized for its highest values. This is as true of soils as of gas 

 or gold. In Indiana certain soils give and always will give their highest 

 values in the form of ordinary field crops, or horticulture. Other soils 

 always have and always must yield their highest return from tree cj'ops. 



