Fighting Fires and Thieves 207 



property against fire. We have discussed some of 

 the means by which the various States have at- 

 tempted to perform this duty, and the manner in 

 which such laws are working ; and finally we have 

 come to the conclusion that after all the best hope 

 for us lies in education and the creating of a pub- 

 lic opinion that will emphatically condemn the 

 reckless incendiary. But we have intimated above 

 that there is another factor depending on legisla- 

 tion which must be adjusted before forestry based 

 on silviculture can pay in the United States. This 

 matter of taxation will be the subject of the next 

 chapter. 



