130 North American Forests and Forestry 



soon begin to decay. Besides, the extent and 

 character of our forests has a powerful influence 

 on the climatic and physiographical conditions of 

 the country. It sometimes happens that the in- 

 terest of private owners and those of the public 

 are opposed to each other. In such cases it is the 

 duty of wise governments to endeavor to change, by 

 legislation, as far as possible, the conditions which 

 cause such conflicts of interest, and in extreme 

 cases to restrain the injurious acts prompted by 

 private greed. A discussion of such measures of 

 this sort as may at present be advisable in the 

 United States must be reserved for a succeeding 

 chapter. 



Besides being the protectors of public interest in 

 the management of private forests, both the federal 

 and many state governments are also the owners of 

 large areas of timber-lands. Most of the States to 

 this day have no intention of permanently retain- 

 ing the title to them, but try to dispose of them as 

 fast as they can. Formerly this was the universal 

 custom, but within a few years both the federal 

 government and several of the States have come 

 to the conclusion that it would be wise for them to 

 keep the possession of a certain amount of forest 

 lands. A few States, notably Pennsylvania and 

 New York, have even appropriated large amounts 

 of money for the acquisition of such tracts. 



A government owning and managing forests may, 

 like private persons, do so with several objects in 

 view. It may manage them for the purpose of 



