98 FOREST CULTURE AND 
When hopeful illusion steps beyond the stern reali- 
ties of the day, it cannot suppress a desire that en- 
lightened statesmanship will always wisely foresee the 
absolute requirements of future generations. The 
colonist who lives in enjoyment of his property near 
the ranges and sees a flourishing family growing up 
around him, asks ominously what will be the aspect 
of these forests at the end of the century, if the pres- 
ent work of demolition continues to go on? He feels 
that though the forests not solely bring us the rain, 
through forests only a comparatively arid country can 
have the full advantage of its showers, as bitter ex- 
perience has taught generation after generation since 
Julius Cesar’s time. The colonist reflects with appre- 
hension that while no year nor day, when passed into 
eternity, can be regained, no provision whatever is 
made for the coming population, in whose welfare, 
perhaps as the head of a family, and perhaps even 
bearing political responsibility, he is interested. He 
would gladly co-operate in the labors of a local Forest 
Board, just like members of Road Boards and Shire 
Councils enter cheerfully on the special duties alloted 
to their administration. His local experience would 
dictate the rules under which in each district the tim- 
ber and other products of the forest could be most 
lucratively utilized without desolation for the future ; 
and he would be best able to judge, and to seek advice 
how the yield of the forest could be advantageously 
maintained, and its riches methodically be increased. 
All this will weigh more heavily on bis mind when he 
is cognizant that even in Middle Europe, in countries 
so well provided with coals, and of a much cooler 
clime than ours, the extent of the forests is kept scru- 
