55 8 Presidential Addresses 



moved steadily toward a just appreciation of the 

 value of forests, whether planted or of natural 

 growth. The great part played by them in the crea- 

 tion and maintenance of the national wealth is now 

 more fully realized than ever before. 



Wise forest protection does not mean the with- 

 drawal of forest resources, whether of wood, water, 

 or grass, from contributing their full share to the 

 welfare of the people, but, on the contrary, gives the 

 assurance of larger and more certain supplies. The 

 fundamental idea of forestry is the perpetuation of 

 forests by use. Forest protection is not an end of it- 

 self; it is a means to increase and sustain the re- 

 sources of our country and the industries which de- 

 pend upon them. The preservation of our forests is 

 an imperative business necessity. We have come to 

 see clearly that whatever destroys the forest, except 

 to make way for agriculture, threatens our well- 

 being. 



The practical usefulness of the national forest re- 

 serves to the mining, grazing, irrigation, and other 

 interests of the regions in which the reserves lie has 

 led to a widespread demand by the people of the 

 West for their protection and extension. The for- 

 est reserves will inevitably be of still greater use in 

 the future than in the past. Additions should be 

 made to them whenever practicable, and their use- 

 fulness should be increased by a thoroughly business- 

 like management. 



At present the protection of the forest reserves 

 rests with the General Land Office, the mapping and 



