PREFACE 



This book on "forest protection" is being printed, pre-eminently, for 

 the benefit of the students attending the Biltmore Forest School. 



In American forestry, the most important duty of the forester consists 

 in the suppression of forest fires. 



If forest fires were prevented, a second growth would follow invariably 

 in the wake of a first growth removed by the forester or by the lumberman; 

 and the problem of forest conservation would solve itself. 



If forest fires were prevented, a second growth would have a definite, 

 prospective value; and it would be worth while to treat it sylviculturally. 



If forest fires were prevented, our investments made in merchantable 

 timber would be more secure; and there would be a lesser inducement for 

 the rapid conversion of timber into cash. 



The issue of forest fires stand paramount in all forest protection. Com- 

 pared with this issue, the other topics treated in the following pages dwindle 

 down to insignificance. 



I write this with a knowledge of the fact that the leading timber firms 

 in this country place an estimate of less than 1% on their annual losses of 

 timber due to fires: 



These firms are operating close to their holdings; and if a tract is killed 

 by fire the operations are swung over into the burned section as speedily 

 as possible; and the salvage may amount to 99% of the timber burned. 



These firms do not pay any attention, in their estimate, to the "lu- 

 crum cessans," nor to the prospective value of inferior trees, poles, saplings 

 and seedlings. 



The "prospective forest" is the forest of the future; and this forest 

 is annihilated by the fires. 



Merchantable trees of immediate value cannot be killed any "more 

 dead" by fires, nor by insects, nor by strom, than by the legitimate use of 

 axe and saw. 



Where the means of transportation are ready, the damage inflicted 

 upon the forest and upon its owner by catastrophies may be reduced to a 

 minimum. 



In writing the paragraph on "forest insects," I have availed myself 

 of many hints obtained from Dr. A. D. Hopkins. My own knowledge of 

 forest insects amounts to little; and on the basis of past experience, I strongly 

 recommend to all foresters a "lack of self-reliance" in forest entomological 

 questions. Consult Dr. Hopkins before spending any money for fighting 

 insects! 



Mr. C. D. Couden has revised and rewritten my manuscript on forest 

 insects, eliminating many mistakes made by a layman. My sincerest thanks 

 are tendered to him herewith. 



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