THE GROWTH OF THE FORESTRY IDEA 75 



taken to study our forests and protect them 

 against possible extinction. 



The purpose of the Timber Culture Act 

 passed by Congress in 1873 was to increase na- 

 tional interest in reforestation. It provided that 

 every settler who would plant and maintain 40 

 acres of timber in the treeless sections should be 

 entitled to secure patent for 160 acres of the pub- 

 lic domain that vast territory consisting of all 

 the states and territories west of the Mississippi, 

 except Texas, as well as Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, 

 Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, Alabama and 

 Mississippi. This act, as well as several State 

 laws, failed because the settlers did not know 

 enough about tree planting. The laws also were 

 not effective because they did not prevent dis- 

 honest practices. 



In 1876, the first special agent in forestry was 

 appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture 

 to study the annual consumption, exportation 

 and importation of timber and other forest pro- 

 ducts, the probable supply for future wants, and 

 the means best adapted for forest preservation. 

 Five years later, the Division of Forestry was 

 organized as a branch of the Department of Agri- 

 culture. It was established in order to carry on 



