128 THE SCHOOL BOOK OF FORESTRY 



manent value of the remaining forests. They 

 aim to harvest the tree yield more thoroughly 

 and to extend their cuttings over many years. 

 They appreciate that it is necessary to protect 

 and preserve the forest at the same time that 

 profitable tree crops are being removed. They 

 see the need for saving and increasing young 

 growth and for protecting the woodlands against 

 fire. If only these methods of forestry had been 

 observed from the time the early settlers felled 

 the first trees, not only would our forests be pro- 

 ducing at present all the lumber we could use, 

 but also the United States would be the greatest 

 lumber-exporting country in the world. 



It will never be possible to stop timber cutting 

 entirely in this country, nor would it be desirable 

 to do so. The demands for building material, 

 fuel, wood pulp and the like are too great to 

 permit of such a condition. The Nation would 

 suffer if all forest cutting was suspended. There 

 is a vital need, however, of perpetuating our re- 

 maining forests. Wasteful lumbering practices 

 should be stopped. Only trees that are ready for 

 harvest should be felled. They should be cut 

 under conditions which will protect the best 

 interests and production of the timberlands. As 



