22 EEPOET OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



siderin^ the vast importance to the nation of a proper investigation of 

 the subject, no branch has been more poorly endowed by Congress. 



An appropriation of $10,000 has been made annually for several years 

 for an investigation of this character, and a reasonable amount of work 

 has been yearly accomplished, as may bo seen by the various reports 

 already i)ublished. These reports have dealt with the condition of for- 

 estry matters; statistics relative to the industry have been elaborately 

 set foith, and various suggestions have been made when thought of 

 value. Much remains to be done in this direction ; but the time has 

 come when more than this is necessary, if we would be awakened to the 

 dangers which threaten us through the destruction of our forests. No 

 more important problem confronts us as a people than that which re- 

 lates to our forests. Efforts should be made at once to further arouse 

 and enlighten the people. The establishment of arbor days, which has 

 been so successfully accomplished in a few States, should become general ; 

 the importance of the introduction of forestry into our schools and edu- 

 cational institutions should be set forth; the organization of local and 

 State societies in the interest of forestry should be strongly advocated 

 and encouraged, and every other means should be devised to instill 

 into the minds of the people that restoration is an urgent necessity, and 

 must keep pace with destruction. 



It is already apparent that efforts for promotion of forest-tree plant- 

 ing, through liberal laws on the part of the United States, and through 

 various premiums and exemptions on the part of certain States, are 

 not to meet with abundant success. Inducement having failed, educa- 

 tion should now be attemj)ted. Such an effort, to be successful, ought 

 to be inaugurated by the General Government itself. Adequate means 

 should be forthcoming to deal with this national necessity in a national 

 way. With a sulScient fund, agencies could be established to gather 

 information for compilation and diffusion; the laws of foreign countiies 

 in this regard could be codified and studied ; climatic and meteorolog- 

 ical observations could be made in sections to show the influence of 

 trees ; a comprehensive study of the varieties of trees and their several 

 economic uses and values could be laid before the country, and in many 

 other ways the people could be made to realize the vital imj)ortance of 

 this subject. 



I have submitted an estimate for $10,000 to continue these investiga- 

 tions in the manner in which they have been prosecuted ii! previous 

 years; but, should. Congress deem it wise to increase the scope of the 

 investigation to proportions somewhat commensurate with its impor- 

 tance, possibly to undertake the line of work to which I have alluded, 

 and perhaps to establish experimental plots for forestry upon the pub- 

 lic domain, an intelligent and comprehensive discharge of the duty 

 would require a greatly increased appropriation. 



At the beginning of the year the division undertook, in connection 

 with the Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, and under the act of 



