INTRODUCTION 



Our forests, with their billions of trees, are 

 the backbone of agriculture, the skeleton of lum- 

 bering, and the heart of industry. Even now, 

 in spite of their depletion, they are the cream 

 of our natural resources. They furnish wood 

 for the nation, pasture for thousands of cattle 

 and sheep, and water supply for countless cities 

 and farms. They are the dominions of wild life. 

 Millions of birds, game animals, and fish live in 

 the forests and the forest streams. The time 

 is coming when our forests will be the greatest 

 playgrounds of America. It is necessary that 

 we preserve, protect, and expand our timber- 

 lands. By so doing we shall provide for the 

 needs of future generations. 



The forest is one of the most faithful friends 

 of man. It provides him with materials to build 

 homes. It furnishes fuel. It aids agriculture 

 by preventing floods and storing the surplus 

 rainfall in the soil for the use of farm crops. It 

 supplies the foundation for all our railroads. 

 It is the producer of fertile soils. It gives 

 employment to millions of workmen. It is a 



